On April 10-11, ICDT held the first workshop of the project titled Cross-River Development, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary.

The goal of the project is to improve the development of the conflict-shattered Transnistria region by providing training for both governmental and non-governmental organizations and to present a relevant European model of regional development through good example. The project has a unique feature as well, as based on the experience of both the main aspirant, the International Centre for Democratic Transition (ICDT) and its project partners, the Moldovan Foreign Policy Association (APE) and the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI), the workshop aimed not only to demonstrate regional cooperation and development models, but also to transmit practical experiences, and stimulate the creation of own projects based on the knowledge gained on workshops.

The project includes 2 workshops and a field trip to Hungary that will result in at least 3 regional development plans created by the participants themselves. It is also planned that, after the project is over, participants will continue mutual work in the frame of a new civilian, local governmental and business network, and to find new partners to realize their future projects.

The first workshop held in Soroca, Moldova was opened by the Official Note of Ambassador István Gyarmati, President of the Centre for Democracy Public Foundation. Mr. Gyula Ocskay, Secretary General of CESCI and Ms. Annamária Kékesi, Development Officer of the ICDT presented to the participants – representatives of both governmental and non-governmental organizations from Moldova and Transnistria – the best practices for the cross-border cooperation and some case projects previously implemented by non-governmental organizations.

On the second day of the workshop the presentations were followed by active and lively debates and the participants agreed on the project idea that they would develop at the second workshop to be held on May 10-11, in Transnistria.