Empowering Rural Women for Good Governance: Outstanding Results from the Project Implemented by CRDC

The Regional Center for Community Development (CRDC) has successfully completed the implementation of the project “Empowering Women in Rural Areas for Good Governance,” conducted in the villages of Taraclia de Salcie (Cahul district) and Antonești (Cantemir district). The project was carried out with generous support from the European Union in the Republic of Moldova, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Moldova, as part of the Partnerships for Women’s Leadership and Good Governance initiative, implemented by Institutum Virtutes Civilis.

Project Objective

This project aimed to empower women in rural areas by involving them in local decision-making processes and promoting the principles of good governance. In collaboration with local public authorities, the project sought to create a network of active women contributing directly to the development of their communities.

Project Activities and Impact

• Establishing Women’s Clubs: A key first step was the creation of two Women’s Clubs, one in each target village. These clubs became platforms where women could discuss local issues and propose viable solutions with the support of public authorities.
• Training in Community Development and Good Governance: Thirty women participated in training sessions covering topics such as community development, good governance, public policy design, and gender-sensitive budgeting. These sessions aimed to build their skills and encourage active involvement in decision-making processes.
• Policy Development and Implementation: Women from the two clubs collaborated with public authorities to develop and approve two public policies. These addressed specific community needs: equipping a fitness room in Taraclia de Salcie and purchasing a sound system for the cultural center in Antonești. Both policies were unanimously approved by local councils, demonstrating the positive impact of women’s involvement.
• Exchange of Best Practices and Study Visits: To foster inter-community dialogue, project participants organized exchanges between the two villages. Women shared ideas and learned from each other's successes, strengthening community ties.
• Awareness Campaigns: Throughout the project, the CRDC team carried out campaigns to raise awareness about the role of women in decision-making and the importance of gender equality. These campaigns reached thousands of citizens via online posts and local media articles.

Key Results Achieved:

• 2 Women’s Clubs established;
• 30 women trained in community development and good governance;
• 2 public policies developed and approved by local councils;
• 2 local initiatives implemented with the support of public authorities and communities;
• Stronger relationships between women and local authorities;
• Increased confidence among women in their ability to influence local decisions.

The project demonstrated that involving women in local decision-making processes significantly contributes to community development. With the support of partners and local authorities, CRDC succeeded in creating a successful model for other communities across the Republic of Moldova.

This initiative was carried out as part of the “Partnerships for Women’s Leadership and Good Governance” project, implemented by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Moldova and the NGO Institutum Virtutes Civilis, with financial support from the European Union in the Republic of Moldova and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

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