PHOTO // Moldovan NGOs implement 28 environmental protection projects

Twenty-eight environmental projects implemented by non-governmental organizations of Moldova have contributed to the rehabilitation of 32 wells, the installation of more than 2,000 waste collection containers and the planting of approximately 11,300 trees, shrubs and ornamental plants. The results today were presented in Chisinau during the event titled, Green Justice in Action: Results, Changes and Solutions for Communities. The projects were carried out in more than 30 communities in the north, center and south of the country, including localities on both banks of the Dniester, through small grant programmes managed by NGO EcoContact, with financial support of Sweden.

The Active Citizens for a Healthy Environment and Green Justice programme, launched in 2022, included five funding rounds benefiting 26 non-governmental organizations. Two other organizations implemented projects under the Equal Access to Environmental Justice programme.

In his opening remarks, Johan Willert, First Secretary at the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova, emphasized the role of civil society in promoting sustainable change.

„Sweden’s support for non-governmental organizations of Moldova reflects the lessons learned from our own experience. We are firmly convinced that civil society’s engagement is an effective way to generate positive and lasting change,” said Johan Willert.

The event included four discussion panel, during which representatives of beneficiary organizations presented the results of their projects, the solutions applied at the local level and the challenges they encountered. Participants also discussed possibilities for continuing the initiatives after the funding ends.

Reported expenditures for the first four grant rounds and the Equal Access to Environmental Justice programme amounted to 5.82 million lei. Of this amount, 4.98 million lei was covered by grants, while 843,000 lei represented the organizations’ own contribution. Grants totaling 3.07 million lei were allocated for the 11 projects in the fifth round, with expenditures to be consolidated after the completion of financial reporting.

Some of the projects focused on improving the management of environmental resources and services through cooperation among non-governmental organizations, residents and local public authorities.

Local environmental plans were approved in Catranic and Braniste, developed by NGO Iscalenii and NGO Mostenitorii, respectively. In Ruseni, NGO Anenii Noi–DOR contributed to the approval of sanitation regulations, while in Telita, NGO Tradiție și Memorie (Tradition and Memory) supported the development of regulations concerning green spaces.

In other localities, regulations were developed for managing water sources and organizing sanitation services, some of which were submitted for approval.

The projects included legal assistance activities for citizens wishing to exercise their environmental rights. NGO Cahul Community Justice Center provided primary legal assistance to 90 beneficiaries and reported 47 requests for access to information. NGO Eco-Sor, in turn, facilitated the submission of petitions to the town hall.

As part of the projects, 32 wells were rehabilitated and four springs were developed and protected. At the same time, NGO Eco-Razeni installed water filters in 11 schools attended by approximately 4,500 students.

To conserve biodiversity, beneficiary organizations monitored birds in the Lower Prut Reserve and carried out activities to protect rare species in the rocky habitats of the Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei) Cultural and Natural Reserve.

The activities were complemented by tree planting and investments in public infrastructure. Approximately 11,300 trees, shrubs and ornamental plants were planted within six projects. In Telita, 15 solar-powered streetlights were installed; at a public institution in Crocmaz, 23 windows were replaced; and the kindergarten in Volintiri was equipped with a biomass boiler with the support of NGO EcoVisio.

Waste management was another area addressed by the projects. At least 2,044 waste collection containers of various capacities were purchased or installed as part of 11 initiatives.

Of these, 1,221 garbage bins were reported during the fifth funding round by NGO Căinărenii de Pretutindeni, NGO Vis Realizat Acasă, and NGO Alianța pentru Dolna.

In addition to equipping communities, the organizations conducted awareness-raising activities on separate waste collection and composting. They worked with mayoralties and sanitation operators to organize collection services and maintain the installed equipment.

The projects also included educational activities for children and young people. As part of the initiative implemented by NGO Eco-Razeni, 211 young people participated in workshops and 30 of them were trained as environmental ambassadors.

The project implemented by NGO LuRenOm involved approximately 500 students from ten educational institutions on both banks of the Dniester. They participated in practical workshops, educational visits and tree-planting activities.

The results of the 28 projects highlight the contribution of non-governmental organizations to solving environmental problems at the local level through citizens’ involvement and cooperation with public authorities. The continuation of the initiatives and maintenance of the investments after the funding ends depend on the assuming of responsibilities by local stakeholders.

The grant programmes were carried out as part of the project, Green Justice for a Protected Environment and Sustainable Communities of Moldova, implemented by NGO EcoContact with financial support of Sweden.