This project has developed three main priorities: one is to attract the attention of the local people to take ecological
responsibility for the environment and to internalize the importance of keeping their natural habitat intact, the second is to
support capacities (SMART/Digital solutions, tourist infrastructure / renewable energy) for young people in the community
(and not only) to provide better opportunities for development, as well as to have entrepreneurial initiatives and create
jobs at the local level; and the third is to set up and digitize the tourist infrastructure to offer nature lovers and visitors to
the Lunca Prutului a wide range of tourist services, promoting a healthy way of life, as well as increasing awareness of the
need to protect the environment.
The proposed objectives of the project were achieved 100%. On the infrastructure development side, the works to improve
the infrastructure through energy efficiency in the village of Valeni were started in the fall of 2020 by wrapping the
Gymnasium building with natural wool, according to the action plan and thanks to the contribution of the project partners
(GIZ, Stefan cel Mare Gymnazium, Valeni City Hall) and continued until the end of spring 2022. With the completion of the
cladding and the arrangement of the space adjacent to it, within the current project, 10 kw and 5 kw photovoltaic panels
were also installed on the Valeni Gymnasium, respectively Kindergarten no. 1 from Valeni, further deepening the
integration of sustainable solutions in the village infrastructure. Also, a system of LED bulbs was installed for street lighting
for energy efficiency and the support of the Valeni City Hall was further secured which has assumed the task of continuing
to contribute with funds for the completion of teh LED system also on the side streets.
More on the digital innovation side, the first virtual guide platform (ZONIZ V?leni) in Moldova was launched in V?leni,
promoting all the tourist attractions of "V?leni - holiday village" within the platform and coagulating all the producers /
guesthouse owners within it . Finally, by installing a solar tree (with Wi-Fi and device charging capabilities in the center of
the village, a model of success / impact was created regarding the implementation of SMART City solutions in the rural
environment, becoming the catalyst for the further development direction of V?leni village) . , as well as boosting interest /
technological education for young people from the village / Lower Prut
As part of the soft activities of the project, we participated to various national and international conventions and being
present in various media and events ( the European Union's Diaspora Facility Global Forum, the Repatriot Forum 2021, the
Entrepreneurial Forum - performing villages, the Forbes Magazine Romania Gala were we were awarded "30 under 30" or
within the Marathon of solutions for smart cities and communities). Moreover, several actions of the local community were
organized, such as the signing in Valeni of the ``Convention of Mayors for renewable energy and climate'', as well as
actions related to sensitizing young people and students regarding the benefits of renewable energy through various
summer camps and workshops.
In the end, the good practices of the project, the good examples of digitization, energy efficiency and SMART solutions in
the field of tourism (Valeni?s competitive advantage), have encouraged both local actors to improve their touristic offer, to
list themselves on the platform; as well as attracted the attention of new entrepreneurs from neighboring villages to and
launch guesthouses and tourism services, also boosted by increased domestic demand, making Lunca Prutului one of the
main tourist attractions of Moldova in 2021-2022. These good practices were also taken over by the Lunca Prutului LAG, as
part of a further project in progress to build on our results and implement a tourist/virtual guide platform, at the level of
the entire Lunca a Prutului.
Connecting these results to the recent projects implemented by the Migrant;s Association and the Valeni City Hall focused
on the development of the ``Valeni - holiday village'' brand, further training provided to the young programmers within the
gymnasium, as well as connecting entrepreneurs to the Romanian market; Valeni has transformed into a center of
excellence and reference point for the Republic of Moldova and Romania for the integration of digital solutions and those
related to energy efficiency in the field of eco-tourism. The goal of this project has been achieved to shape Valeni into a
model village that developed its competitive advantage (Eco-Tourism in Lunca Prutului) through SMART solutions, laying
the foundations of the first SMART Village of Moldova, attracting also countless articles / media interest.