The Government Allocates Over 16 Million Lei for the First Voluntary Amalgamation in Cahul District, Republic of Moldova, as Part of the Local Public Administration Reform

The villages of Zîrnești, Baurci-Moldoveni and Cucoara have decided to merge their local administrations, forming a single mayor’s office under the nationally promoted voluntary amalgamation process.

The new administrative entity will have its administrative center in the village of Zîrnești and will benefit from more than 16 million lei in government financial support. This is the first cluster of localities in Cahul District, Republic of Moldova, to complete the decision-making process for voluntary amalgamation.

Financial Support for Local Investments

The Secretary General of the Government, Alexei Buzu, stated that the initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of local public administration and create the conditions necessary for sustainable community development.

According to the official, the Government will support the process by allocating a financial incentive exceeding 16 million lei. The funds may be invested in priority projects, including the modernization of road infrastructure, the expansion of water supply and sewerage networks, the development of public street lighting, the improvement of municipal services, and other projects identified by the local administration.

Alexei Buzu emphasized that the voluntary association of communities enhances administrative capacity, enabling local authorities to respond more effectively to citizens’ needs and improve living conditions.

Local Public Administration Reform Continues

The voluntary amalgamation process is part of the Government’s local public administration reform aimed at modernizing the administrative system and improving the quality of public services. The initiative was launched earlier this year and was accompanied by an extensive public consultation process, which led to the development of the reform concept.

In parallel, Parliament adopted legislative amendments designed to simplify the procedures for the voluntary amalgamation of administrative-territorial units. According to the authorities, the new provisions were developed following consultations involving more than 4,500 mayors and citizens.

The Process Expands Nationwide

According to the latest data provided by the authorities, approximately 790 mayor’s offices across the Republic of Moldova are currently involved in various stages of the voluntary amalgamation process. At the same time, more than 400 decisions to initiate voluntary amalgamation have been approved nationwide, reflecting the growing interest of local administrations in strengthening administrative capacity and securing the resources needed to support community development.