Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation – NOVA-CROSS
This project is co-financed by European Union funds Joint Operational Program Romania – Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 Project code: ROMD00279
About Programme
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania–Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Program is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the participating countries
Interreg NEXT Romania - Republica Moldova
This program strengthens cross-border cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, responding to urgent regional needs, including in the context of the war's impact on the region. Key areas include climate change adaptation, disaster risk resilience, health, education, culture, and border crossing management, while ensuring the safety and security of citizens in both countries.
The program promotes equal partnership between the two countries, supporting joint projects that address common challenges and improve governance for better cooperation. By promoting transparent and efficient governance, the program ensures that both countries can collaborate more effectively to address common challenges and achieve common goals.
About project
Specific Objective
The aim of the project is to enhance the capacity of local authorities through a 'bottom-up' approach, with a specific emphasis on efficiently absorbing European Funds and fostering enhanced collaboration with non-state actors in the Galati-Cahul cross-border region.
Project Timeline
Track the progress of the NOVA-CROSS project from launch to completion. Implementation period: 12 March 2025 - 11 September 2026
Activities
Project Activities
- Creation of Cross-border resource centres in Cahul and Tulucesti
- Expertise Exchange Workshop
- Empowering Cross-Border Communities: A Joint Action Plan for Strengthening Public Administration and Cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
- Capacity-Building trainings for local public authorities and LAG members
- Study Visits and Exchange Programs in Romania and Moldova
- EU Funding Application Support Workshops
- Mentorship Program for transferring Romanian expertise as an EU member state for the creation of a future FLAG in the Lower Prut area in Moldova
- Networking Event: Cross-Border Empowerment and Engagement Forum
Expected Results
Project Results
- Creation of 2 Cross-border resource centres in Cahul and Tulucesti
- Development of an online platform to facilitate the relationship between citizens abroad and the local public administration
- 1 Joint Action Plan for Strengthening Public Administration and Cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
- 4 Capacity-Building trainings for local public authorities and LAG members
- 2 Study Visits and Exchange Programs in Romania and Moldova
- 12 Drafting project ideas aimed at addressing the most urgent issues in target communities
- 8 Networking and communication events organized
Partners
Association for Sustainable Development "Prut-Danube" Galați
Galați, Romania
Cross-border Cooperation and European Integration Agency
Cahul, Moldova
Tulucești Town Hall
Tulucești, Galați, Romania
Cross-border Cooperation and European Integration Agency
AO ACTIE is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2004 in the city of Cahul, Republic of Moldova. The main objective of the Agency for Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration is to contribute to regional development by supporting cross-border cooperation between organizations and institutions in the Republic of Moldova and external partners.
At the same time, ACTIE aims to contribute to economic development in the cross-border region within the “Lower Danube” Euroregion. This is achieved through the organization’s specific objectives:
creating strong cross-border partnerships to address common challenges;
developing human resources through training and awareness-raising;
increasing access to the labor market, including for socially vulnerable groups;
modernizing local infrastructure;
developing tourism in southern Moldova;
actions that contribute to better environmental protection.
DetaliiProject Events
1. Launch Conference
On May 9, 2025, the Agency for Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration participated in the launch of the project “Innovative Actions for the Development of Public Administration and the Enhancement of Cross-Border Cooperation –– NOVA CROSS, ROMD00279,” a project funded through the INTERREG NEXT Romania–Republic of Moldova Program.
The event took place in Galați, Romania, and was organized by the “Prut-Danube” Association for Sustainable Development in Galați.
All project partners participated in the event:
- “Prut-Danube” Association for Sustainable Development, Galați – Lead Partner
- Agency for Cross-Border Cooperation and European Integration – Cahul, Republic of Moldova
- Tulucești Commune, Romania
- Local NGOs
- Local institutions, etc.
2. Information sessions as part of the project “Innovative Actions for the Development of Public Administration and the Enhancement of Cross-Border Cooperation – NOVA-CROSS Cahul”
Information sessions as part of the project “Innovative Actions for an Effective Public Administration and Cross-Border Cooperation – NOVA-CROSS” were held on April 15, 2025, and April 30, 2025, and brought together participants from various fields. The events aimed to present the project’s objectives, activities, and expected results, as well as to inform the community about the opportunities it offers.
During the sessions, details were presented about the NOVA-CROSS project, the partners involved, and the Interreg programs, with an emphasis on accessing European funds. The concluding discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening the capacity of local authorities through a “bottom-up” approach and of developing active collaboration with non-state actors in the Galați–Cahul cross-border area.
3. Joint Action Plan to Strengthen Public Administration and Cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova
On October 16, 2025, at the headquarters of the Lunca Prutului de Jos LAG in Văleni, AO ACTIE, the Tulucești Local Public Administration, and FLAG Galați organized a public consultation aimed at assessing the needs of local public authorities and other stakeholders in the cross-border area.
The goal of this consultation is to develop a Joint Action Plan that will contribute to strengthening public administration and enhancing cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova. This activity is part of the project “Innovative Actions for the Development of Public Administration and the Enhancement of Cross-Border Cooperation – NOVA-CROSS,” co-financed by the European Union through the INTERREG NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova Program.
4. Training Sessions
From November 3 to 7, AO ACTIE, together with its partners at FLAG Galați, launched a series of training sessions on writing and implementing projects funded by the European Union.
- Basics of Project Management
- Project Implementation and Reporting
- Financial Management and Auditing of Projects Funded by the European Union
The training sessions took place in Văleni and brought together over 20 representatives from local public administrations, the "Lunca Prutului de Jos" GAL, the “Valea Halmagei” GAL, as well as entrepreneurs interested in attracting investment.
5. Training sessions to build the capacity of local public authorities and LAG members
6. Study visits and exchange programs in Romania and the Republic of Moldova
7. Mentoring program to transfer expertise from Romania, as an EU member state, with a view to establishing a future FLAG in the Lower Prut region of the Republic of Moldova
8. Workshops for Sharing Experiences
9. Cross-Border Forum
10. Establishment of cross-border resource centers in Cahul and Tulucești
11. Final Conference
Our Partners Locations
This website was created with the support of the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of AO ACTIE as a partner in the NOVA-CROSS project (ROMD00279) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the managing authorities of the INTERREG NEXT Romania–Republic of Moldova Program.