The European Union is currently funding several infrastructure projects in the south of the country regarding water supply, sewage services and increase of public buildings energy efficiency. As a result of the implementation of these projects, over 10620 citizens of Iargara, Filipeni, Romanovca and Cupcui localities from Leova rayon will be connected to an improved and sustainable water supply system, and 1700 citizens will gain access to sewage services. At the same time, as a result of the implementation of energy efficiency investment measures, 921 students and teachers from educational institutions from the towns of Leova and Basarabeasca will benefit from better working and study conditions.

These results are estimated to be achieved by 2023, as a result of the implementation by the Regional Development Agency South of four investment projects financed by the European Union.

Funding is channelled through The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), within the project "Modernization of local public services in the Republic of Moldova", in regard to the projects "Improvement of water supply services in Iargara, Filipeni, Romanovca and Cupcui villages from Leova rayon ","Extension of sewage system in Leova town. Construction of wastewater pumping station in Leova town", "Increasing energy efficiency of "Constantin Spătaru" Theoretical Lyceum in Leova town" and "Increasing energy efficiency of "Matei Basarab" Theoretical Lyceum in Basarabeasca town".

In order to start the construction works within the WSS and EE projects, with funding from the European Union sources, the Regional Development Agency  South conducted, during May and June of this year, several international public tenders, as, at the next stage, between June 15 and July 6 this year, the bids submitted in the respective tenders will be evaluated by a group of international and national experts, contracted by GIZ.

Following the evaluation of the bids submitted for the procurement of works for the execution of the project "Increasing energy efficiency of "Constantin Spătaru" Theoretical Lyceum in Leova town", the procurement working group decided to award the contract to a qualified economic operator as winner, with whom, in the short term, RDA South, as the implementing institution, and the City Hall of Leova, as the beneficiary, will sign the enterprise contract.

Regarding the project "Increasing energy efficiency of "Matei Basarab" Theoretical Lyceum in Basarabeasca town", the announced public procurement procedure was canceled due to the fact that no bid was submitted, following that, on July 15 a new  procedure for opening the bids will be carried out within the repeatedly announced public tender.

For the two WSS projects, on May 22 this year, the opening of tenders for the purchase of construction works took place, subsequently being evaluated objectively, transparently and non-discriminatory by experts. In a few days, based on the evaluation report of the experts and the decisions of the Procurement Working Group, which includes officials from RDA South and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the winners will be announced.

It should be noted that, during 2018-2019, the European Union financed the development of technical documentation for the respective projects, as well as for the project aimed at "Improving water supply services in the communities of Pelinei and Găvănoasa in Cahul rayon and extension to Vulcănești rayon", for which sources of financing are to be identified for the execution of construction works. The value of the investment made by the EU in order to develop the technical documentation for the infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in the southern region is about 906 thousand euros.

Within the European Union projects for providing water infrastructure in the southern region, 99.1 km of aqueduct will be built in Iargara, Filipeni, Romanovca and Cupcui localities in Leova rayon and 11.95 km of sewage pipes in Leova town.

At the same time, as a result of energy efficiency measures, the estimated annual energy consumption in energy-efficient institutions will decrease by an estimated 30% and the annual standard CO2 emissions will be reduced by 442 tons.

The energy efficiency measures, which will be implemented in the schools, will ensure optimal conditions for the professional activity of the staff and the studies of the pupils from several localities. Thus, pupils, teachers and employees of these schools will benefit from the supply of hot and cold water to the taps inside the schools, renovation of toilets in schools, improved ventilation in the study rooms, etc. Likewise, the schools will be modernized by rehabilitating the roof, covering the walls of the building, replacing the windows, rehabilitating the heating systems, installing photovoltaic panels, etc.

And in terms of water supply and sewage measures, the main expected results aim at improving the infrastructure for providing water supply services and increasing the connection rate of the population to them. All these measures will possibly contribute to the elimination of rural disparities, but also of urban ones.

In this regard, Maria Culeșov, director of RDA South, mentions that "the implementation of water supply and sewage projects will contribute to increasing the access of the population from the southern region to quality drinking water, thus improving the living conditions and maintaining its health. Similarly, investments in energy efficiency will provide a better and more comfortable learning environment for pupils and teachers. As a result, bills will be lower and savings will be higher, the latter being used for other purposes". 

These projects are funded by the European Union in cooperation with the project "Modernization of Local Public Services in the Republic of Moldova", which is implemented by GIZ Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment and financially supported by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), The Government of Sweden, the Government of Romania and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).