A delegation from ISW-SWE led by Antonella CAGNOLATI, President, visited Moldova from July 14 to 19, 2024 as part of a field mission that led to major advances in the structuring of water policies and the implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) on the scale of the Nirnova Basin.

Danielle MAMETZ, Mayor of Boëseghem, member of the  Basin Committee of the Artois Picardie Water Agency, Vice-President of Noréade , Vice-President of Aqua Publica Europea and the partners of the Artois Picardie Water Agency, represented by Pierre BRANGER, Director of Interventions, Jean-Philippe KARPINSKI, head of the North Sea mission, and Christine DERICQ, head of International Action and Youth Policy, took part in this mission, which resulted in the signing of an ambitious partnership agreement between the Nirnova Basin Intercommunal Development Agency (IDA) and the Artois Picardie Water Agency.

This agreement, like the one signed between ADI and SWE, testifies of the support provided by the French partners in the assertion of this pioneering intermunicipal structure in the Republic of Moldova, which offers a unique forum for exchange and coordination for the concerted management of water resources. The various working group meetings organized throughout the week addressed such important issues as the development of IDA’s activities, the organization of its human and financial resources, and its assertion on the Moldovan and European institutional scene.

Jean-Philippe KARPINSKI and Danielle MAMETZ’s presentation on different water resource management methods led to lively discussions with the Basin’s mayors, at a time when important decisions are due to be taken on this subject in the coming months, while field visits to the Hincesti, Nisporeni and Stefan Voda regions reinforced the sharing of experience and expertise between the French and Moldovan partners.

This sharing of experience also covered the challenges of mergers and inter-municipal cooperation, as part of the European symposium organized by Solidarity Water Europe at the Palais de la République, with the participation of Graham PAUL, Ambassador of France, Andrei STRAH, Deputy Secretary General of the Moldavian State Chancellery, Larisa VOLOH, President of the “Public Administration and Regional Development” Commission of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the Mayor of Sarre-Union, Marc SENE, of Puers-Saint-Amand, Koenraad VAN DEN HEUVEL and several European experts.

Exchanges at all levels of decision-making and capacity-building activities will continue over the coming weeks and months, with the aim of strengthening the Nirnova Basin’s position as a pilot region in Moldova for integrated, mutually supportive water resource management.

Mission organized with the participation of the French Embassy in Moldova and the Artois Picardie Water Agency.

Project carried out with the support of our partners: the French Embassy in Moldova, the Artois Picardie Water Agency, the Pays de Saint-Omer Urban Planning and Development Agency, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DDC), the Raions of Nisporeni and Hincesti.