Local Action Group
Nine town halls, ten villages and their people — entrepreneurs, farmers and civic organisations — working together for the Prut Meadow in Cahul District.
Who we are
We are the Local Action Group of the villages of Lunca Prutului de Jos, the Lower Prut Meadow: a partnership between nine town halls, entrepreneurs and civic organisations from the same communities. We took our first steps at the end of 2016, when the villages began working together to apply the LEADER approach. On 17 April 2018, 52 founding members signed the partnership agreement. Since 13 May 2022 we have been an officially registered association under Law No. 50/2021 on local action groups.
We work according to the LEADER method, from the “bottom up”: people in the villages decide which projects matter to them, and we help them turn those projects into reality.
It is not for us to decide what communities need. We give them the tools and support to meet their own needs.
Our mission
We contribute to the sustainable economic growth of our territory by supporting entrepreneurs, promoting local values and making the area more attractive to visitors.
Our vision for 2030
By 2030, Lunca Prutului de Jos is known for its attractive tourist sites, its local food and farm produce, and its quality services.
From the Local Development Strategy 2026–2030, approved by the General Assembly on 16 February 2026.
What we do
Promoting local products is key to supporting the regional economy and celebrating the diversity of our community.
We encourage a better understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that define our identity and connect us with our past, so that they stay alive and continue to inspire us in the future.
A remarkable opportunity to discover the beauty and authenticity of southern Moldova, to support the village economy and to experience its traditions, food and spectacular landscapes — building genuine connections and unforgettable memories.
Managing natural resources wisely in rural areas is essential to preserving the beauty and prosperity of the countryside, and to leaving a sustainable legacy for future generations.
An inspiring space where tradition and know-how meet creativity and innovation, helping traditional crafts in the Lower Prut area to be preserved and to evolve as a living practice.
We must not let traditional skills disappear! Let us keep valuing and promoting them, because they connect us with our roots and bring us joy and pride.
The entrepreneurs of our region bring energy and drive, creating jobs and generating innovation. Let us stand by them, encourage them and give them the support they need to pursue their dreams and contribute to the prosperity of the community.
It is time to invest in tourism infrastructure! Developing it opens doors to new experiences and sustainable economic growth.
How we work
Before every call for proposals we visit all ten villages: meetings at the town hall, library or House of Culture, notices on village boards, and posts on Facebook and in local groups. We also organise public events such as FestiGAL, and training on ANSA (National Food Safety Agency) standards.
We prepare the guidelines and forms, receive applications, check documents and stay alongside beneficiaries throughout the project. This is how we have helped hundreds of farmers and entrepreneurs fill in complicated forms and deal with public institutions, including AIPA (Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture).
LEADER Programme projects are submitted and reported online, on MLIS.md. We walk you through it step by step: creating an account, logging in for the first time, the electronic signature, unexplained errors — exactly where people most often get stuck.
Territory
Our territory covers 529 km² of Cahul District, along the Prut River down to Giurgiulești, the border crossing in the far south of the country. It includes nine town halls and ten villages. The area lies within the “Lower Prut” Biosphere Reserve, added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2018.
These are villages of small households, where many young people have left and many women carry the burden of the home alone. That is why, from the very beginning, our support has gone above all to small producers and to those who need it most.
3,654 inhabitants
10 projects
3,580 inhabitants
30 projects
3,053 inhabitants
11 projects
2,524 inhabitants
13 projects
1,956 inhabitants
22 projects
1,936 inhabitants
7 projects
1,437 inhabitants
5 projects
1,398 inhabitants
11 projects
812 inhabitants
6 projects
Projects implemented in 2018–2025. Every village has received support over several years, not just the villages around our headquarters.
Projects and results
We have funded and supported 115 projects across all ten villages, 56 of them backing local businesses with grants totalling MDL 5.8 million. Altogether, MDL 20,521,829 has been invested in our villages: MDL 12,462,213 raised from funding programmes and MDL 8,059,616 contributed by the beneficiaries themselves.
Each of the 115 projects has left something tangible in its village: a guesthouse, a bakery, a museum, a playground, a better-equipped kindergarten. Choose a theme or search by village, year or beneficiary.
115 projects
Brînza Town Hall
A place to play and relax for the village’s residents.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 282,286.00
Colibași Town Hall
Renewable energy for more efficient public services.
Environment and green energyMDL 262,270.00
Voloceai Nichita LLC
Self-service car wash for residents of and visitors to Lunca Prutului de Jos.
Services and new businessesMDL 380,000.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall
Modernising the public library and turning it into a cultural, educational and digital hub.
Education and childrenMDL 389,706.00
MV & Alexandra LLC
A modernised kitchen and new landscaped green areas at the “Otilia” banqueting hall.
Local products and foodMDL 366,976.00
Cîșlița-Prut Town Hall
New seating for a modern, functional cultural venue.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 314,900.00
Manta Town Hall
Top training conditions in the sports hall of the “Ion Furnică” Palace of Culture.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 214,437.00
Lazăr Olga sole proprietorship
A modern car park with a camping area, lighting and CCTV.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 380,000.00
S&I Project LLC
A fence and gates in the traditional local style at the “La mama Catița” house museum.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 359,216.00
Rumix Stil LLC
Broadening Eco-Village’s tourism offer through sustainable ecotourism.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 380,000.00
Văleni Town Hall
A food market hall for meat, cheese, milk, eggs and fish from local producers.
Local products and foodMDL 388,904.00
Brînza Town Hall
A renovated food market hall for local products and brands.
Local products and foodMDL 276,042.00
Chetroi Sergiu Ilie family farm
Modernising honey extraction with high-performance beekeeping equipment.
Local products and foodMDL 167,000.00
Brînza Town Hall
A cleaner village and residents engaged in protecting the environment.
Environment and green energyMDL 127,600.00
Voloceai Nichita LLC
Modern equipment for the Colibași bakery.
Local products and foodMDL 398,480.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall
Nest swings and larger recreation areas.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 198,000.00
Cîșlița-Prut Town Hall
A sensory path with natural textures for exploration and play.
Education and childrenMDL 299,164.00
Granit Plus LLC
Modern thermal insulation equipment.
Services and new businessesMDL 399,890.00
Cristinel-Popov LLC
More beds for visitors.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 400,000.00
Victoria Beauty Flower LLC
A barber’s, hairdressing and manicure salon for locals and visitors.
Services and new businessesMDL 122,458.00
MVA & Julia LLC
A pâtisserie for children, with play and leisure activities.
Local products and foodMDL 329,735.00
Manta Town Hall
Protecting and showcasing the Vintelești spring with a new rest stop.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 126,322.00
Ecosystem Plants LLC
A modernised plant nursery supporting biodiversity.
Environment and green energyMDL 201,520.00
La Doina și Mihai LLC
Cultural and culinary experiences in a rustic setting.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 277,652.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Preserving traditional dress and passing it on to future generations.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 224,131.00
Munteanu Svetlana Dumitru family farm
Renovated premises for extracting and storing honey.
Local products and foodMDL 200,000.00
“Prutul de Jos” Nature Reserve (state enterprise)
Promoting ecotourism along the Lower Prut and the region’s natural heritage.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 166,758.00
Văleni Town Hall
Modern educational facilities and innovative, inclusive services for children.
Education and childrenMDL 532,152.00
Rumix Stil LLC
New tourism services and jobs built around ecotourism.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 167,477.00
Văleni Town Hall
Solar panels powering the artesian well with clean energy.
Environment and green energyMDL 177,023.00
Vercom JNG LLC
Promoting the traditions of southern Moldova, especially ritual bread, and local cuisine.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 84,000.00
Speranța NGO
Better hygiene and sanitary conditions for pupils and teachers through new flooring.
Education and childrenMDL 414,028.00
Voloceai Nichita LLC
Energy independence for the business: a 10 kW solar array.
Environment and green energyMDL 240,000.00
Colibași Town Hall
Safe conditions for selling products of animal origin.
Local products and foodMDL 250,095.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall
Developing the village’s Museum of History and Ethnography.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 200,000.00
Manta Town Hall
Top training conditions for the dancers of the “Cimpoieș” Ensemble.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 450,717.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Kitting out a children’s sports hall with sports gear and equipment.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 250,000.00
Vadul lui Isac Town Hall
Better sanitation services and public information on waste collection.
Environment and green energyMDL 200,000.00
Vercom JNG LLC
Extending the guest accommodation and equipping the workshop.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 358,224.00
Văleni Town Hall
Promoting the village’s cultural values and passing them on.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 375,000.00
Vodă Svetlana sole proprietorship
Equipment and appliances for pie-making.
Local products and foodMDL 16,625.00
Ciobanu Viorica sole proprietorship
A new fence and gate for the “La Bunica Clava” rural guesthouse.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 20,537.00
Chetroi Sergiu Ilie family farm
Developing rural tourism by showcasing beekeeping.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 189,125.00
“Speranța” NGO
Comfort and safety for pupils and staff: 92 new light fittings in the classrooms.
Education and childrenMDL 138,873.00
Brînza Town Hall
A park for rest and leisure in the village centre.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 117,900.00
Chetroi Sergiu Ilie family farm
Kerbing and paving to welcome visitors.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 16,625.00
Voloceai Nichita LLC
A combination oven, a dough mixer and trademark certification.
Local products and foodMDL 178,993.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall
A space for play and leisure for children and the whole community.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 250,000.00
“Mihai Eminescu” Gymnasium
A sports ground for the whole family, also accessible to young people with disabilities.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 90,898.00
Meșterul Nicolae LLC
An interactive woodworking workshop.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 150,761.00
Lemnăria Neamului LLC
Modern machinery for wooden products.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 207,100.00
Valex Auto LLC
Modern car repair services.
Services and new businessesMDL 220,102.00
Manta Town Hall (“Viorica” kindergarten)
Nurturing pre-schoolers’ artistic abilities through upgraded equipment and materials.
Education and childrenMDL 156,213.00
Minalia Fowl LLC
A wine tourism destination in Slobozia Mare, developed with local producers.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 205,166.00
Potcoava Verde 2020 LLC
An equipped terrace and cabins overlooking the “Lower Prut” Reserve.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 240,675.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall (Slobozia Mare public library)
Modern library services, more accessible to everyone.
Education and childrenMDL 156,292.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Better trading conditions at the farmers’ market: a market hall and a pavilion.
Local products and foodMDL 160,190.00
S&I Project LLC
Restoring the house museum and broadening its services so it becomes a major visitor attraction.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 201,034.00
Slobozia Mare Consumer Cooperative
Fresh bakery products for local consumers and the promotion of home-grown produce.
Local products and foodMDL 200,000.00
Minciună Maria Nicolae family farm
A modern kitchen for quality catering.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 91,500.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Traditional musical instruments and sound equipment for the “Mocănașii” and “Vatra Horelor” folk ensembles.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 88,000.00
La Doina și Mihai LLC
Fitting out the cheese dairy with a cold room and an air conditioner.
Local products and foodMDL 124,000.00
“Pro Slobozia Mare” NGO
A meeting place that brings the generations together.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 213,750.00
“Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum
Modernising and diversifying educational activities in a safe setting, in the spirit of “School Differently”.
Education and childrenMDL 131,144.00
“Baștina Mea-Slobozia Mare” NGO
Landscaping and equipping the square for educational, after-school and leisure activities.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 191,660.00
Munteanu Svetlana Dumitru family farm
A dough sheeter and a modern dough mixer for the bakery.
Local products and foodMDL 124,000.00
Pruteanu Elena Vasile family farm
A 7 kW solar PV system for the flower greenhouse.
Environment and green energyMDL 178,687.00
Rumix Stil LLC
A pool & spa centre with swings, a water slide and a CCTV system.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 203,457.00
Văleni Town Hall
Modernising and equipping the kindergarten kitchen to the required standards.
Education and childrenMDL 161,065.00
Casa Bucuriei LLC
Renovating the patisserie and refreshing the image of “Casa Dulce”.
Local products and foodMDL 154,737.00
MV & Alexandra LLC
Promoting local culinary heritage to attract visitors.
Local products and foodMDL 152,460.00
Lazăr Agrotur LLC
A rustic-style cellar – a new attraction for visitors.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 138,811.00
Minciună Maria Nicolae family farm
A small production line for local-style preserves, jams and sauces made to family recipes.
Local products and foodMDL 128,644.00
Bratu Viorel și Marcela family farm
Fitting out a slaughterhouse and a workshop for making mutton kavarma (a traditional meat dish).
Local products and foodMDL 135,699.00
Munteanu Svetlana Dumitru family farm
Purchasing a dough-shaping machine and an electric oven.
Local products and foodMDL 161,354.00
“Iris” NGO
Upgrading the central park on the local tourist trail.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 137,063.00
“Acasă la Văleni” NGO
Turning a derelict plot next to the Văleni Sports and Leisure Centre into a landscaped walkway.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 105,056.00
Văleni Town Hall (“Romanița” Nursery and Kindergarten No. 2)
Upgrading the 3 group rooms with technical equipment and educational mini-robots (Bee-Bots).
Education and childrenMDL 92,016.00
Panait-Vodă LLC
Restoring the great-grandparents’ house with traditional ethnographic features, linked to the “Lunca Prutului de Jos” tourist trail.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 144,075.00
Speranța NGO
A local museum for the cultural and historical heritage of the village and the Lower Prut Meadow.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 51,050.00
Ezimar LLC
Kitchen equipment and a rest area for visitors.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 77,500.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall (public library)
Two rooms renovated and turned into a tourist information centre.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 158,000.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall (kindergarten)
New play equipment for the kindergarten’s playgrounds.
Education and childrenMDL 67,000.00
“Mihai Sadoveanu” Theoretical Lyceum
Sports equipment for the playground and new changing rooms for girls and boys.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 75,000.00
Lazăr Agrotur LLC
Renovating the rural cottage and landscaping its yard.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 124,500.00
“Lower Prut” Nature Reserve
Renovating two rooms in the Reserve’s old headquarters building.
Environment and green energyMDL 78,617.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Folk costumes for the folk ensembles of Slobozia Mare.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 132,320.00
La Doina și Mihai LLC
A dairy processing unit and a milk cooling tank.
Local products and foodMDL 119,000.00
Zaporojan Ecaterina
Modern equipment for high-quality printing services.
Services and new businessesMDL 125,362.00
Sîrbu Angela
A wooden gazebo and a brick bread oven.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 93,000.00
Balmuș Liliana
A traditional mini-farm producing and selling organic animal products.
Local products and foodMDL 192,760.00
Ciobanu Viorica sole proprietorship
Renovated bathroom, bedrooms and kitchen, and a restored cellar.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 126,289.00
Rumix Stil LLC
Building a wooden footbridge as the access route to the birdwatching tower in Văleni village.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 80,500.00
Văleni Town Hall
A rustic gazebo and a flower-lined path in the yard of the Văleni Multifunctional Centre.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 87,250.00
“Academician Ion Bostan” Theoretical Lyceum
Furniture for the planetarium and a perimeter fence.
Education and childrenMDL 58,572.00
Ezimar LLC
Renovating and building rustic-style gazebos and a natural wood fence.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 141,100.00
Cîșlița-Prut Town Hall
Renovating a room to turn it into a museum.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 85,794.00
Lazăr Agrotur LLC
A high-performance electric oven for the guesthouse kitchen.
Tourism and accommodationMDL 96,665.00
Manta Town Hall
Reviving the Prut Meadow tradition of weaving blankets and wall rugs, and promoting local heritage.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 58,572.00
“Mihai Eminescu” Theoretical Lyceum
A social theatre in a renovated room of the lyceum.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 61,408.00
Minciună Nicolae
A fully equipped unit for making quality wine, from grape reception onwards.
Local products and foodMDL 125,325.00
Pruteanu Elena
Building a flower greenhouse and bringing new services to the area.
Local products and foodMDL 85,000.00
Iaconi Elena
An embroidery machine and equipment for making traditional costumes.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 76,650.00
Casa Bucuriei LLC
New machinery for more and better confectionery.
Local products and foodMDL 120,935.00
Crihana Veche Town Hall
Multimedia equipment for the archaeology museum.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 30,000.00
Cîșlița-Prut Town Hall
A leisure area with 3 gazebos, tables and barbecue spots.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 81,690.00
Tonciu Ilie
A small livestock barn, modernised and fully equipped.
Local products and foodMDL 93,600.00
“Mihai Sadoveanu” Theoretical Lyceum
Renovating, modernising and equipping the robotics lab.
Education and childrenMDL 74,875.00
Manta Town Hall (“Catincuța” kindergarten)
A children’s playground with modern equipment.
Education and childrenMDL 58,400.00
Manta Town Hall
Bicycle parking for the commune’s residents.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 31,524.00
Slobozia Mare Town Hall
Reviving the summer stage with traditional sgraffito ornaments.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 157,739.00
Zaporojan Dumitru
A renovated workshop with heating and new equipment.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 104,300.00
Vadul lui Isac Town Hall
A leisure area with sports equipment for the village’s residents.
Sport, play and public spacesMDL 154,227.00
Văleni Town Hall (“Romanița” kindergarten)
Interactive, engaging outdoor learning activities for children.
Education and childrenMDL 53,495.00
Văleni Town Hall (museum)
Fencing off the museum yard and renovating the toilets.
Culture, traditions and craftsMDL 77,360.00
No projects match the selected filters.
The list keeps growing. Shown here are the projects completed between 2018 and 2025. Other projects are currently under way in our villages and will be added as they are completed. The amounts shown are the total value of each project (grant plus the beneficiary’s contribution). For the latest news, follow us on Facebook.
When selecting projects, we have consistently given priority to businesses involving mothers of large families, people with disabilities, women who have survived domestic violence and refugees from Ukraine.
We funded an accessible sports ground at the “Mihai Eminescu” Gymnasium in Crihana Veche, designed with young people with disabilities in mind.
What comes next
This is the plan our villages drew up together for the next five years: what we will work on, what we will fund and what we aim to achieve by 2030. It was updated between October 2025 and January 2026 through questionnaires in every locality, meetings with mayors, workshops and consultations with entrepreneurs and civil society, and approved by the General Assembly on 16 February 2026.
Objective 1
Short supply chains from producer to buyer and more income-generating activities in the villages.
By 2030: 13 farm businesses and 10 tourism and crafts projects supported, 5–7 new businesses, at least 35% of beneficiaries young people and women, 2 themed tourism products.
26 projects · MDL 5.4 million
Objective 2
Accessible public services, modern community spaces and close-knit communities.
By 2030: 7 public institutions modernised, 5 cultural and sports projects, 5 community events, action in 100% of localities.
16 projects · MDL 3.6 million
Objective 3
Cheaper, cleaner energy, a protected environment and preparedness for climate change.
By 2030: 7 public buildings made more energy-efficient, 4 “smart village” projects, 40–50 kW from renewable sources, energy consumption cut by 25–30%, 1,000 people involved in environmental campaigns.
18 projects · MDL 4 million
Town halls, public institutions, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, young people and, more broadly, any individual or legal entity in the LAG area who wants to start their own activity or an initiative with local impact.
Total: MDL 23,100,000, of which MDL 3,250,000 covers the LAG’s running costs.
Destination Lunca Prutului
The LAG is also the platform for the “Lunca Prutului” Destination Management Organisation (DMO), the country’s first local pilot project of its kind. We bring together town halls, guesthouses, craftspeople, museums and the tourist information centres in Crihana Veche and Giurgiulești to build themed routes (nature, culture, food), events and a joined-up tourism offer.
The destination has its own territorial brand, “Lunca Prutului”, and the luncaprutului.md platform, featuring sights, accommodation, food and events.
Discover luncaprutului.mdThe Lunca in pictures
The team
Four people who know every village, every beneficiary and every form.
Director
8 years at the helm of the LAG: manager since 2018, director since 2022
Education: master’s in local public administration, bachelor’s in law and bachelor’s in English and French (USB “B.P. Hasdeu” – “B.P. Hasdeu” State University, Cahul)
RomanianEnglishFrench
director@luncaprutuluidejos.com
Financial Manager
10 years in finance, including 4 in the LAG’s financial management
Education: PhD candidate in economics (ASEM – Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova); master’s degrees in banking administration (ASEM) and in the humanities (“Dunărea de Jos” University, Galați)
RomanianFrenchRussianEnglishSpanish
contabil@luncaprutuluidejos.com
Project Manager
8 years of running calls for proposals from start to finish
Education: economics (USB “B.P. Hasdeu” – “B.P. Hasdeu” State University, Cahul, ongoing); training in project writing and management and in local public policy
RomanianRussianFrenchEnglish
office@luncaprutuluidejos.com
Local animator · community facilitator
20 years of experience, from local public administration to her own farming business
Education: BA in Economics (“Dunărea de Jos” University, Cahul); vocational diploma in Tourism (Centre of Excellence in Viticulture and Winemaking, Chișinău)
RomanianFrenchEnglish
office@luncaprutuluidejos.com
We are members of the National LEADER Rural Development NetworkThe Network brings together the local action groups of the Republic of Moldova and helps rural communities build a sustainable and prosperous environment by involving local actors and innovative approaches. Through it, we share experience with the other LAGs across the country.
reteauarurala.md ↗
Transparency
| Indicator | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Earmarked income | MDL 1,844,566 | MDL 793,704 |
| Earmarked expenditure | MDL 1,844,566 | MDL 792,934 |
| Total assets at year end | MDL 457,227 | MDL 146,465 |
The 2025 financial statements have been filed and are publicly available in the Public Repository of Financial Statements.
Write to us or give us a call
Director
Eugenia Negru-Stoica
34 Ștefan cel Mare St, Văleni village1022620005031MD73VI022510900000086MDLVICBMD2X