The LEADER approach in the Republic of Moldova marks a new result. On 9 April 2021, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova passed the Law on LAGs, which provides for the creation of the legal framework on their activity. Thus, the LAGs will be able to obtain the status of legal entities, which will allow for the LEADER state program to come into force, managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment. Starting in 2022, the LAGs will be able to access public funds for the LEADER Program, of up to 5% of the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Environment. 

“In February 2020, the Ministry launched the procedure for developing the special law on LAGs, followed by substantial efforts to promote it. Today, the law was voted at the final reading by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, which means a vote of trust for the LAGs and the LEADER approach as a tool for rural development, with potential to bring enduring change in the Republic of Moldova“, declared Galina Petrachi, head of the Rural Development Policies and Programs Direction within the Ministry. 

Creating the legal framework for the LEADER Program and the LAGs was an ample process, which involved promoting and adopting a series of changes to existing legislation. These actions were accomplished through the efforts of the Ministry, the Parliamentary Commission “Agriculture and Food Industry”, in partnership with the National LEADER Network in the Republic of Moldova and the Local Action Groups, with support provided by development partners through Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova. 

“Passing the Law on LAGs creates new opportunities for rural development through the LEADER approach. In order to reach this result, we went through a complex process alongside the Ministry and the Local Action Groups. Together we have managed to create an innovative and efficient instrument for rural development, one that encourages local activism and gives a boost to economic development“, declared Marina Albu, President of the National LEADER Network of the Republic of Moldova and Deputy Director of Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.  

Thanks to the collective efforts of those involved, the Republic of Moldova became the first and, for the time being, the only country in the non-EU space that implements the LEADER Program as a public policy tool for rural development. 

“Currently, LEADER is one of the most efficient instruments for rural development in the Republic of Moldova, which boosts the economy as well as the potential of rural areas. LEADER contributes to reducing migration and breathes new life into the villages. Adopting the law on Local Action Groups ensures the continuity of this approach and will undoubtedly bring more opportunities for development to the people living in rural areas“, said Dmitrii Ianul, manager of LAG “Cismeaua Sudului”. 

“Our experience with LAG ‘Stancile Prutului’ and the results achieved in two years are proof that people in villages are ready for social and economic changes. Nonetheless, for their actions and involvement to produce longlasting changes, they should be guided by a special law, adapted to the local context and needs. I am convinced that passing the law on LAGs and carrying out the LEADER Program will contribute to a rural revival in the Republic of Moldova”, said Ghenadie Bucliș, manager of LAG “Stancile Prutului“. 
 

This effort to create a legal framework will enable the LAGs to register as legal entities, as well as the LEADER Program to be carried out with public financing from the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Environment. As a public policy tool, the LEADER Program will contribute to the efficient and long lasting development of rural areas.