As part of the consultations held in the Republic of Moldova, including rural areas, young people discussed the challenges and opportunities of living near a border, their views on cross-border cooperation, and their dreams for future projects.
Participants shared that living near a border is an advantage, as it provides a higher level of security against smuggling and armed forces. However, they also highlighted the lack of infrastructure for leisure activities and youth initiatives, as well as the migration of young people to larger cities in search of a better life. These issues contribute to rural areas being overlooked and underfunded.
When asked about useful Interreg projects, young people mentioned DEBUTING, TAAS, and DIGITALIZE. Regarding daily difficulties in (cross-border and transnational) cooperation, they pointed out language barriers, limited yearly budgets for maintaining a decent life, and the lack of employment opportunities in villages such as Iabloana.
The “dream project” proposed by the participants focused on using Iabloana’s archaeological potential to enrich its historical and cultural heritage and renovating the local museum as a means to boost tourism in the community.
The consultation ended with the powerful words of a local French teacher:
“We are forgotten compared to the other villages.”