The Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative convenes its second Steering Committee meeting in Moldova
27 June 2018
On 27 June 2018, the key stakeholders of the EU flagship Initiative “Mayors for Economic Growth” gathered together in Cimislia, Moldova, for the second time since the start of the Project implementation in January 2017.
Around 40 participants representing the M4EG Secretariat, Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission, the World Bank, the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), as well as national ministries and associations of local authorities from all the 6 participating countries took part in the eventin order to discuss the results and achievements to date, as well as decide on the future course of the Project.
After the warm welcome of the deputy mayor of Cimislia, the participants were presented with an overview of the recent dynamics of the local administrations joining the Initiative by country; the implementation of the comprehensive capacity building programme in Local Economic Development (LED) planning; the national specifics to the processes of LED plans elaboration in each country; communications and outreach activities by the M4EG Secretariat; as well as the status quo for the implementation of the 16 M4EG Pioneer Projects.
The concepts and approaches to future Initiative interventions were also presented to the participants for consideration and discussion.
As stated by Mr. Felipe De La Mota (European Commission, DG NEAR): “The EC will consider further supporting M4EG signatories and grantees possibly through a new round of Call for Proposals and a follow-up of the Secretariat project. This will be discussed internally by DG NEAR. But it is important to share an understanding that the EU support to the Easter Partnership countries is not forever. It is only meant as a catalyst of local change”.
After the official part of the Steering Committee meeting was concluded, the participants visited the Cimislia Pioneer Project implementation site (business incubator), where a brief presentation of the Project activities and meeting with its stakeholders and beneficiaries.