Community Action Brings Fresh Water to Moldovan Households
At a recent USAID ceremony in Porumbeni, Citizens came out to celebrate their success in beating a web of regulations to improve their water system. Thanks to their efforts, a major renovation project was undertaken to provide safe drinking water for 75 households, a kindergarten and the local health center. The project required construction of a water tower and 1,700 meters of water pipeline—and resolving logistical challenges. Midway through the project, the Ministry of Public Administration refused to transfer the power line to Union Fenosa, the electric power provider. Without power, the water pump would not work. Porumbeni’s citizens refused to give up, redoubling their efforts to persuade authorities of the project’s value and to move forward with their plans.
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| Porumbeni Citizens and their Water Tower Stand Tall |
The project required tireless research and advocacy on the part of the Community Initiation Group (CIG), a body voted to lead the initiative by community members for the Citizen Participation Program (CPP). At the start of the initiative, CIG leader Sergiu Bruma wisely convinced the current and former mayors to put aside their differences and back the project. Once on board, the three of them advocated and won the support of the Rayon Council. The Rayon President consulted with the Local Electric Power Department (LEPD) to learn how to proceed. Unfortunately, the LEPD’s advice contradicted their own regulations, barring the power company, Union Fenosa from providing service. The community leaders went to the National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER) and pressured them to analyze pertinent legislation and regulations. It seemed as if the project would be halted. Finally the Mayor, former Mayor and Bruma found a legal opening and successfully negotiated a deal with Union Fenosa on their own. In the end, the CIG and the local government struck a deal that was even better than hoped: Union Fenosa agreed to power the water pump without a fee.
Throughout the process, CIG members Pojoga Ana and Gribincea Liliana played key roles in keeping the community informed and energized. The community followed the issue closely knowing much was at stake for their futures. As events unfolded, the community as a whole learned about advocacy, government responsibility, and even technical legal codes guiding service regulations. Perhaps most importantly, the community witnessed the positive impact that can be made by resilient community leaders fighting for its interests.
The community of Porumbeni is proud of its accomplishment, grateful for the clean water supply, and eager to make more improvements.
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