A new analytical study was conducted in the process of Decentralization Strategy development

The study was prepared by the Independent Analytical Centre "Expert Grup" in the framework of the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme to serve as independent source of information and analysis in the process of Decentralization Strategy development. The study assesses whether the current administrative-territorial structure satisfies the local, regional and national development priorities of the Republic of Moldova, presenting for comparison the experience of some European countries. The administrative-territorial units of first and second level were analyzed according to a set of criteria - size of the administered territory, number of inhabitants, local financial resources, local economic basis, etc.

Ion Osoian, one of the study authors, mentioned, within the presentation, that the mayoralties with less than 5000 inhabitants are difficult to entrust significant responsibilities in public sector. They have neither material nor human capacities. Nor they have the necessary fiscal basis to increase their own revenues and provide quality public services. "The excessive administrative-territorial fragmentation is an essential barrier in the way of decentralization", Ion Osoian said.

The study proposes several models of administrative-territorial organization. The participants of the study presentation - deputies, representatives of ministries, local government, NGOs and academic institutions - said that any model shall be chosen only by consensus in the Parliament and consulted with central and local government, civil society. The representatives of the Ministry of Finance referred to the need to stimulate the mayoralties through various key factors that would more efficiently contribute to the increase of territorial fiscal basis, creation of a favorable climate for attracting investments in view of decentralization.

The requirements for revising the state budget transfers to the local governments were also reiterated. Several participants of the discussion requested to widely promote the transitory version of inter-municipal cooperation, its forms and advantages, the experience gained in other countries.

The authors of the study also mentioned that regardless of the chosen administrative-territorial organization model, there exists a set of measures with certain results that shall be implemented in order to enhance the efficiency of local government. These measures include the wider use of electronic services at local and regional level, solutions to bring services closer to the citizens compared to the current situation (weekly working days for civil servants in remote villages, permanently detached employees, IT solutions), and advanced procedures for local budget development.