A delegation from Armenia is currently visiting the Republic of Moldova this week to learn from the country’s experience and best practices in implementing the National LEADER Program. The visit, which is already in its seventh year, aims to gather insights and knowledge on how to successfully run the program. This information was reported by MOLDPRES, with reference to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA).
During the meeting at the ministry, the members of the Armenian delegation were briefed on policy documents and the current regulatory framework. They also visited the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA), where they received information about the funding mechanism for Local Action Groups from the National Fund for Agriculture and Rural Environment Development. AIPA officials highlighted that around 700 projects have been financed from the state budget between August 2022 and June 2023.
Iurie Scripnic, the Secretary of State at MAIA, emphasized that the ministry is committed to developing policies for rural development, understanding that agriculture flourishes only when there is prosperity and favorable conditions for business in rural areas. The implementation of the LEADER Program began in 2016, and currently, there are more than 50 Local Action Groups, with 37 of them already implementing local development projects.
In the coming days, the Armenian delegation will familiarize themselves with the activities of three Local Action Groups in the northern and southern regions of Moldova. During these meetings, Moldovan specialists will share information about the organization, management bodies, functioning, financing, and project implementation, as well as the interaction with the National LEADER Network and local and central public administrations.
The LEADER Program is a subsidy tool for GALs (Local Action Groups), managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and implemented by the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture, with support from the National LEADER Network and the Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.