Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Date of latest update: 2026-01-27

Description

Description (EN):

NOVA-CROSS is a collaborative initiative addressing the shared challenges of the border region of Galati, Romania, and Cahul, Moldova, focusing on enhancing administrative capacities and fostering sustainable cross-border cooperation. The project aims to empower local authorities and stakeholders in the Lower Prut region through comprehensive training, resource center development, a Joint Action Plan, and improved cross-border collaboration facilitated by study visits and joint events. Common Challenge: The project addresses several key challenges, including limited institutional capacity, uneven regional development, inadequate cooperation among local actors, and limited capacity of local administrations to effectively utilize EU funding and manage cross-border cooperation initiatives, hindering sustainable development. These issues are particularly acute in the targeted cross-border region, impacting overall quality of life and sustainable development prospects. Overall Objective and Expected Change: The main goal of the NOVA-CROSS project is to improve administrative capacity and governance transparency, leading to sustainable development and improved quality of life in the region. The project seeks to create a more cohesive, cooperative environment across the border, addressing shared challenges and leveraging opportunities for growth and development. Main Outputs and Beneficiaries: Key outputs include: 1. Targeted Training Programs: To upgrade skills in project management, implementation, and handling of EU-funded projects. 2. Establishment of Resource Centers: In Cahul and Tulucesti, acting as support and knowledge hubs. 3. Development of a Joint Action Plan: To strengthen public administration and cross-border cooperation, focusing on legal synchronization, capacity building, and infrastructure improvements. 4. Enhanced Cross-Border Collaboration: Facilitated through study visits, networking events, and forums, promoting shared learning and cooperation. Beneficiaries are primarily local authorities, municipal specialists, NGO staff, and community members in the Lower Prut region. Approach and Cross-Border Necessity: The project's cross-border/transnational approach is crucial for addressing common challenges, sharing resources and expertise, and fostering cohesive regional development. This strategy ensures that solutions are developed and implemented collaboratively, benefiting from diverse experiences and perspectives. Innovative Aspects: NOVA-CROSS is innovative in its comprehensive strategy to tackle territorial challenges, emphasizing long-term sustainability and participatory processes. Its multifaceted approach, integrating various stakeholders and focusing on both immediate and future needs, sets it apart as a forward-thinking initiative in regional development. Impact on Current Situation: The project is expected to significantly enhance administrative efficiency, promote equal regional development, increase financial autonomy, and improve access to European funds. It aims to foster transparency and cooperation among local actors, leading to more effective public administration, better planning, and decision-making, thus contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of the Galati-Cahul cross-border region.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the initial phase of the project (March–July 2025), the partnership made significant progress in organizing and launching activities, already achieving several specific objectives and concrete results. A first major outcome was the establishment of management and communication structures across all partners. Project teams were formed, internal procedures were defined, the project was registered nationally in the Republic of Moldova, and financial mechanisms (including the transfer of advance payments to partners) were implemented within the established deadlines. This laid a solid foundation for transparent and coordinated implementation. In terms of cross-border cooperation and visibility, the project organized information and experience-sharing events in both countries: The launch conference in Galați (9 May 2025) marked the official start of the project, attracting over 30 participants from local administrations, environmental agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions; In the Republic of Moldova, two information seminars brought together nearly 50 participants from local communities, strengthening visibility and interest in cross-border cooperation; In Romania, four seminars organized in Galați and Tulucești involved students, teachers, economic actors, and local stakeholders, fostering community engagement and interest in the LAG model; The expertise exchange workshops held in June–July 2025 provided a platform for partners to discuss best practices, share experiences, and identify common challenges. Another significant step was the creation of the first cross-border resource centers. In Tulucești, a modern center was established, equipped with office equipment, furniture, and two citizen information points, including an online platform with a chatbot for direct interaction with the local administration. The center was presented to the public during an Open Day attended by over 100 citizens. In parallel, procedures were initiated in Cahul to operationalize the corresponding center. Communication and visibility activities contributed to increasing project recognition in the target communities. All partners produced promotional materials (agendas, pens, leaflets, roll-ups, bags, USB sticks, project-specific logo) in accordance with the Program’s visibility manual, and project information was disseminated through the press, social media, and official websites. The added value of cross-border cooperation lies in the coordinated involvement of partners from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, who contributed complementarily to achieving the objectives: from creating physical infrastructure (resource centers and equipment) and mobilizing local communities, to exchanging best practices and strengthening administrative capacity. This joint approach connected actors on both sides of the Prut River and demonstrated the relevance of the partnership for local development and sustainable cooperation.

Project outputs: Number of participations to joint cross-border activities(EN)
Joint Action Plan for Strengthening Public Administration and Cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova(EN)
Website: https://ro-md.net/en/programme-2021-2027

Thematic information

Governance, partnership

Priority: (VI-A_Ro-Mo_3a) Cooperation across borders

Priority specific objective: ISO6.2. Enhance efficient public administration by promoting legal and administrative cooperation and cooperation between citizens, civil society actors and institutions, in particular with a view to resolving legal and other obstacles in border regions (strands A, C, D and, where appropriate, strand B)

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO6 (ISO1) A better cooperation governance

Type of intervention: 171 Enhancing cooperation with partners both within and outside the Member State

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: Asociaţia de Dezvoltare Durabilă „Prut-Dunăre” Galaţi

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 916296533

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 28900347

Address: Eroilor, 800119 Galati, Romania

Department address: Cristofor Columb, 800107 Galati, Romania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.flagalati.ro

Total budget: EUR 87 761.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 78 985.26

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 776.14

Contractors:

Name: HT AGROSIL M SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 36119240
Name: INTERLINK GROUP SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO9320017
Name: ERURAL CONCEPT SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO38142657
Name: ADQUEST IMAGE SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 25337924

COMUNA TULUCESTI

Name: COMUNA TULUCESTI

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 881539978

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 3553307

Address: PRIMARIEI , 807300 Galati, Romania

Department address: PRIMARIEI STREET , 807300 Galati, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.primariatulucesti.ro

Total budget: EUR 80 892.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 72 802.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 089.20

Contractors:

Name: NEGRO SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO1645501
Name: APRILIA SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO16343455
Name: SYNAPO ART SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO 48973548
Name: EUROTER DISTRIBUTION SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 14406638
Name: SELLMARK MEDIA SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 37731328
Name: CRISMAL CLM SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO29319432
Name: GOVISION SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 23600330

Agentia de Cooperare Transfrontaliera si Integrare Europeana

Name: Agentia de Cooperare Transfrontaliera si Integrare Europeana

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936864219

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1023620004938

Address: 31 August 1989 street, MD-3909 Cahul, Moldova

Department address: 31 August 1989 street, MD-3909 Cahul, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.actie.md

Total budget: EUR 97 284.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 87 555.96

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 9 728.44

Contractors:

Name: Unicorn Eli SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1017603007588
Name: VENTO RETAIL SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1009600044712
Name: First Audit International SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1003600060677
Name: Cyber Grup SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1008603004022

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

TULUCESTI COMMUNE

Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Partners and Projects info

Cross-border Cooperation and European Integration Agency

Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Partners and Projects info

Association for Sustainable Development "Prut-Danube" Galati

Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Project acronym: NOVA-CROSS

Project ID: ROMD00279

Project start date: 2025-03-12

Project end date: 2026-09-11

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

EU4Moldova: Focal Regions (EN) | Our project can establish synergies with the EU4Moldova: Focal Regions initiative in the following ways:
Cross-Border Collaboration: Both initiatives focus on fostering inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth in Moldova, particularly in the Cahul region. Collaborative efforts can be explored to ensure a cohesive approach to regional development on both sides of the border, promoting shared learning and best practices.
Private Sector Engagement: Both projects target private sector stimulation and economic improvement. Cooperation in promoting private investment, business development, and job creation can enhance the overall economic resilience and sustainability of the region.
Citizen Participation and Governance: The EU4Moldova: Focal Regions program emphasizes strengthening citizens' participation in democratic governance. Synergies can be established to support the capacity-building activities in the NOVA-CROSS project, promoting local engagement, and ensuring that citizens are well-informed and empowered to actively participate in governance processes.
Capacity Strengthening: Collaboration can be explored in building the capacities of local authorities, as both initiatives share the goal of enhancing governance at different levels. Sharing experiences, methodologies, and training resources can optimize the impact of capacity-building efforts.
Regional Development Strategies: Alignment with the regional development strategies outlined in the "EU4Moldova: Focal Regions" initiative can ensure that the administrative capacity project is well-integrated into broader regional development frameworks, maximizing the effectiveness of both initiatives.
Networking and Information Exchange: Both projects can benefit from mutual networking events, workshops, and knowledge exchange platforms. This can facilitate the sharing of insights, challenges, and successful practices between the Cahul region and the focal regions targeted by the EU4Moldova initiative. (EN), LEADER approach in the Republic of Moldova and Romania (EN) | The following synergies between the project and the LEADER approach can be established through the following:
Territorial Cooperation: Both initiatives focus on territorial development through well-defined areas. Collaborative efforts can enhance the impact by aligning the project's activities with the territories covered by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Moldova and Romania.
LAGs Collaboration: The project will engage with LAGs, contributing to the mission of the National LEADER Network by promoting cooperation and partnerships. This collaboration will strengthen the local development processes, ensuring a more integrated and inclusive approach.
Strategic Planning: The LEADER approach emphasizes participative strategic planning. The project can align its activities with the principles of LEADER, contributing to the elaboration of joint strategic action plans that address common challenges in the targeted regions.
Principles of LEADER Approach: Both initiatives adhere to similar principles, such as territorial approach, partnership, bottom-up decision-making, integrated and multisectoral strategies, innovation, cooperation projects, and interconnecting local partnerships.
Capacity Building: Collaborative efforts can focus on capacity-building activities for LAGs, local authorities, and stakeholders. This includes sharing expertise, knowledge, and best practices in areas such as administrative efficiency, governance, and project management.
Cooperation Projects: Both initiatives emphasize the importance of cooperation projects. The project can explore opportunities for joint initiatives, fostering collaboration not only within the local communities but also across regions and sectors.
Interconnected Local Partnerships: Building on the LEADER approach's emphasis on interconnected local partnerships, the project can facilitate networking events, knowledge exchange, and collaboration platforms, creating synergies between local actors and stakeholders.
(EN), Sustainable Development Strategy for Prut - Dunarea FISHERY area (EN) | The synergy between the NOVA-CROSS project and the Sustainable Development Strategy for Prut-Dunarea FISHERY area lies in their shared focus on sustainable development, particularly in the context of the Lower Prut border region. The NOVA-CROSS project can benefit from the groundwork laid by the aforementioned strategy, which has created a foundation for improved living conditions in local communities. The current project can leverage this by incorporating best practices, lessons learned, and existing resources.
Specifically, the knowledge and experience gained from the fisheries project can contribute to the new project in the following ways: community engagement, resource mobilization, networking skills, and capacity building.
In essence, the synergy between the two projects lies in the potential transfer of knowledge, strategies, and experiences from the fisheries project to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the NOVA-CROSS project. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 265 937.80

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 239 344.02

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Launching conference
Participants to the Launching conference
Information seminars
Participants to the information seminars
Press releases
Cross-border Resource Centres created
Open Day and Public Awareness Campaign at Tulucesti Town Hall
Online platform created
Expertise Exchange Workshop
Participants to the Expertise Exchange Workshop
Joint Action Plan for Strengthening elaborated
Project management basics
Project implementation and reporting
Project idea drafting and developing
Financial Management and financial audit of EU funded projects
Participants to the training session
Cross-border study visit organised
Participants to the cross-border study visit
Press releases
Workshops organised
Participants to the workshops
Number of project ideas developed
Number of full application forms developed
Press releases
Mentorship Program
Participants in the Mentorship Program
Mentorship guide
Cross-Border Empowerment and Engagement Forum
Participations to the Cross-Border Empowerment and Engagement Forum
Press releases
Final conference
Participations to Final conferences
Press releases
1 Promotional pack for LP1
1 Promotional pack for PP2
1 Promotional pack for PP3
Project logo
Update website

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion The project directly aligns with and contributes to the EUSDR in several key ways:
- Promotion of Cross-Border Cooperation: The EUSDR emphasizes the importance of cross-border and transnational cooperation to address common challenges and promote regional development. The project serves as a practical example of such cooperation by fostering collaboration between local authorities, NGOs, and stakeholders on both sides of the border.
- Enhancement of Administrative Capacity: One of the key pillars of the EUSDR is the improvement of administrative capacity at all levels of governance. The project's focus on enhancing the institutional capacity of local authorities in both Romania and Moldova directly aligns with this objective. By providing training, expertise exchange, and practical tools, the project strengthens the administrative capabilities of local authorities, enabling them to better address regional challenges.
- Support for Sustainable Development: The EUSDR places a strong emphasis on sustainable development, environmental protection, and the responsible use of resources. The project's activities, including modules on environmental protection and the development of sustainable regional policies, contribute to the broader goal of promoting sustainability and environmental awareness within the region.
- Inclusion of Civil Society and Stakeholders: The EUSDR highlights the importance of involving civil society and various stakeholders in the policy-making process. The project actively engages civil society organizations, local businesses, and other stakeholders in its activities, promoting their involvement in shaping local and regional policies. This inclusivity aligns with the strategy's objectives of fostering a sense of ownership and active participation in the development of the region.
SeaBasinStrategyBlackSea The project's contribution to the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea can be summarized as follows:
- Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation: The project facilitates cross-border cooperation between Moldova and Romania in the Galati-Cahul area, which lies adjacent to the Black Sea. This regional collaboration aligns with the "Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea," which aims to strengthen cooperation among Black Sea coastal states.
- Promoting Sustainable Development: The project's focus on enhancing administrative capacity and sustainable regional development resonates with the goals of the Common Maritime Agenda. By building local capacity and addressing common challenges, the project contributes to the broader objective of achieving sustainable and environmentally responsible development in the Black Sea region.
- Strengthening Governance: The project's activities, including the establishment of Cross-border Resource Centers, Expertise Exchange Workshops, and Study Visits, emphasize governance and administrative improvements. This focus aligns with the Common Maritime Agenda's call for improved governance in the Black Sea region to ensure responsible and efficient management of maritime resources.
- Involvement of Civil Society: The project actively involves civil society organizations and stakeholders on both sides of the border in its initiatives. This approach supports the Common Maritime Agenda's emphasis on involving non-governmental actors in decision-making processes and fostering collaborative partnerships to address maritime challenges.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: The project's commitment to cross-border networking and expertise exchange, as seen in the Expertise Exchange Workshops and Study Visits, enhances cooperation between Moldova and Romania. Such cross-border collaboration aligns with the "Common Maritime Agenda's" objective of promoting joint actions among Black Sea coastal states.
Other The project can contribute to the "Council of Europe's Local and Regional Democracy Strategy" in the following ways:
- Strengthening Local Governance: The project's core focus on enhancing the administrative capacity of local authorities aligns with the Council of Europe's strategy, which emphasizes the importance of strengthening local governance structures and practices.
- Involvement of Civil Society: The project actively involves civil society organizations and stakeholders in its initiatives, fostering collaboration between local authorities and non-governmental actors. This approach supports the Council of Europe's strategy's goal of enhancing citizen participation and involvement in local decision-making processes.
- Transparency and Accountability: By promoting greater transparency and accountability in local governance, the project resonates with the Council of Europe's objectives of improving the democratic functioning of local and regional authorities.
- Cross-Border Cooperation: The project's cross-border nature and its emphasis on collaboration between Moldova and Romania correspond to the Council of Europe's strategy's call for cross-border cooperation and partnerships between local and regional authorities.
- Local and Regional Development: The project's activities aimed at enhancing local and regional development align with the Council of Europe's strategy's goal of promoting sustainable, inclusive, and balanced local and regional development.
- Good Governance: The project's efforts to improve administrative effectiveness and governance practices contribute to the Council of Europe's strategy's overarching aim of promoting good governance at the local and regional levels.
Other Economic Growth: The project's focus on strengthening local governance and administrative capacity can lead to improved economic conditions in the region. This aligns with the UN SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by promoting economic growth and job creation.
Sustainable Communities: By fostering cross-border cooperation, sustainable development, and good governance, the project contributes to UN SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). It supports efforts to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
Responsible Governance: The project emphasizes improving governance practices, transparency, and accountability at the local level. This supports UN SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Partnerships for the Goals: The project actively engages various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, local businesses, and public authorities, in addressing shared challenges. This reflects UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve sustainable development.
Reduced Inequalities: The project's efforts to address regional disparities and promote sustainable development contribute to UN SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by working to reduce disparities between regions and improve the well-being of all community members.
Quality Education: Capacity-building activities and training programs provide knowledge and skills to local authorities and stakeholders, contributing to UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) by supporting lifelong learning and capacity development.
Community Empowerment: The project empowers communities by involving them in decision-making processes and enhancing their capacity to address local challenges, promoting sustainable and inclusive development (UN SDG 1 - No Poverty, UN SDG 5 - Gender Equality, UN SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, etc.).
Other The project contributes to the Eastern Partnership in the following ways:
Article 3 - Good Governance, Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Human Rights: The project emphasizes improving local governance, transparency, and accountability, which aligns with the principles of good governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
Article 6 - Economic Integration and Convergence with EU Policies: The project's focus on strengthening local authorities' capacity can enhance economic governance and convergence with EU policies, contributing to economic integration.
Article 9 - Environmental Protection: The project includes activities related to environmental protection and sustainable development, supporting efforts to align with EU environmental policies and standards.
Article 10 - Energy Security: By enhancing administrative capacity and improving the local business environment, the project indirectly contributes to energy security by promoting economic stability and self-reliance.
Article 14 - People-to-People Contacts: The project fosters people-to-people contacts by involving civil society organizations, local businesses, and various stakeholders in cross-border cooperation, supporting the free movement of people and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
Article 18 - Civil Society: The project actively engages civil society organizations and stakeholders in addressing shared challenges, aligning with the importance of civil society's role in the Eastern Partnership.
Article 20 - Energy Efficiency: The project may contribute to energy efficiency by promoting responsible governance and sustainable development, which can lead to more efficient energy use.
Article 21 - Environmental Cooperation: The project's focus on environmental protection supports cross-border environmental cooperation, enhancing the region's environmental sustainability.
Other NOVA-CROSS project contributes to the successful implementation of the Public Administration Reform Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023–2030. Namely, the project will focus on:
- Strengthening the capacity of local public administration
Relevant strategic component: Local Public Administration
The NOVA-CROSS project supports local authorities in cross-border areas to collaborate more effectively by providing training, resources, and modern tools to improve administrative capacities. This strengthens local autonomy and enhances the ability to deliver better public services, aligning with the strategy's priorities.
- Promoting inter-institutional and cross-border cooperation
Relevant strategic component: Institutional framework of central and local public administration
The project contributes to the development of partnerships between Moldovan authorities and those from other countries, offering a cross-border cooperation model that can be replicated nationally.
- Developing the competencies of public officials
Relevant strategic component: Public Service Management
Through its training activities and best practices exchange, NOVA-CROSS enhances the professionalism of public administration personnel, which is critical for the effective implementation of the strategy.
Other NOVA CROSS project contributes to the ”National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Romania Horizons 2013-2020-2030”. The project contributes to the Objective 6 - Administrative capacity and quality of public services; sustainable development as a measure of governance efficiency and the quality of public policies. The National objective foreseen within the project is: Creating a more efficient public administration capable of generating adequate public policies and managing them effectively in order to implement the principles of sustainable development. NOVA CROSS contributes to the „developing and promoting public services available through electronic means in order to increase the transparency and efficiency of public administration and relations with citizens and the business environment by: implementing the electronic alternative of public services, developing human resources in order to efficiently exploit new solutions, developing tools and mechanisms to promote electronic services in order to use them by a larger number of institutions, economic operators and citizens.”
Other NOVA CROSS project contributes to the Digital transition Policy - DIGITAL STRATEGY 2021-2025. The project contributes to the strengthening the administrative capacity needed for the digital transformation process. Strengthening cooperation with institutional partners and interconnecting IT systems, leading to a reduction in administrative burden regatding communication. The NGO stakeholders will contribute to this objective through a bottom up approach.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 001 - Enterprises supported (of which: micro, small, medium, large), Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO81) Participations in joint actions across borders: 25.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-01

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

87 / 87 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

226 / 226 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Innovative Actions for Enhanced Public Administration and Cross-border Cooperation

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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