The CEPLI General Assembly in Lucca unanimously approved the UCRM – Union of District Councils of the Republic of Moldova – to become an observer member of the Confederation.
Public Association „Union of District Councils of the Republic of Moldova” is a non-governmental/non-profit organization established in 2012 with the aim to promote and represent the interests of rayon (district) councils, as local intermediate level authorities, at national and international level, as well as to initiate actions and projects leading to sustainable, innovative and inclusive development of the local communities they represent politically.
Currently, in the list of Members of the Public Association „Union of District Councils of the Republic of Moldova”, with full rights, the following 27 Rayons (Districts) of the Republic of Moldova (out of 32 existing) are registered: Briceni, Edinet, Falesti, Fălești, Glodeni, Riscani, Sângerei, Anenii Noi, Criuleni, Ialoveni, Nisporeni, Orhei, Rezina, Soldanesti, Basarabeasca, Cantemir, Cimislia, Leova, Stefan Voda, Drochia, Ungheni, Dondușeni, Floresti, Soroca, Ocnita, Cahul, Straseni and Dubasari, which have joined on the basis of decisions of the rayon (district) councils.
At the same time, official procedures are underway for the accession of the other 5 rayons (districts), namely Calarasi, Causeni, Hincesti, Telenesti and Taraclia.
According to the legislation of the Republic of Moldova, the RAYON (DISTRICT) is an administrative-territorial unit made up of villages (communes) and towns, united by territory, economic and social-cultural relations, which has intermediary between the central and local public authorities.
Among the Statutory Objectives of the Public Association „Union of District Councils from the Republic of Moldova”, the following can be highlighted:
- Reunion, based on free consent, of all district councils in the Republic of Moldova;
- Adaptation to the legislation and community requirements (community acquis) of the European Union regarding local public administration;
- Accessing non-reimbursable financing or external credits intended for local public authorities outside the European space;
- Attracting investors and external partners from the private sector, for the realization of regional and local development projects in each district, in all fields of activity;
- Promotion and application of regional development principles;
- Supporting local and regional sustainable development – political (domestic and international), economic, social, cultural, environmental, etc.;
- Interregional coordination and representation of interests at national and international level based on the principle of subsidiarity;
- Representing the associative structure as a whole and each of its members, as well as individual partners, at the national level with the authorities and/or state institutions (depending on the situation and at its request);
- Promoting the Association, its purpose, interests and the projects it or its members are running;
- Implementation of decentralization programs and actions;
- Establishing direct collaboration and partnership relations with regions in European countries and other countries, for the realization of joint programs and projects.