Over 200 newly elected women councilors from 19 districts learned, through practical methods, how to collect funds for local initiatives, what makes a project successful and how to avoid mistakes when drafting such a document. Victoria Tamala, one of the councilors who attended the training "The role of councilors in ensuring a good and inclusive governance at local level", is now committed to take all necessary steps for writing a successful project to attract investments in her community.

"Beside the fact that this seminar enriched my knowledge on gender equality, which is, in fact, the principle of human rights, I feel also encouraged to begin work on a project financing for the renovation of the House of Culture, which is in a deplorable condition," says Victoria Tamală, local councilor in the Ferapontievca village, Gagauzia.

Tatiana Nedova, 63, former local councilor, now director of the museum from Tulia village, Vulcanesti district, was impressed by the seminar, as "trainers not only have told us information from the books, but also shared their life experiences. And although I have a political career behind, however, I feel that I learned a lot of new things and what means a woman leader," noted director of the museum.

Each seminar, which lasted three days, was crowned with a study visit in Budesti town, moderated by the mayor Nina Costiuc. Elena Tamasob, local councilor in Tomai village, said that, thanks to the seminar, from now on, it will be easier for her to solve problems within the local council. "The study visit inspired us to develop the community we live exactly as in Budesti town. I would like to see active people who are involved in community issues and in Gagauzia. Now I have new project ideas, which I hope will improve the people`s life in Tomai village," said Elena.

First module of the training program for women councilors was organized during November 2015 – March 2016. In April a second training module will be conducted. Each participant was awarded a certificate of completion of the training program.

The trainings were organized by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives "Viitorul", with the support the UN Programme "Women in politics", funded by the Government of Sweden. UN Programme "Women in Politics" is implemented in the period 2014-2016, by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the East Europe Foundation (EEF) and „Partnership for Development” Center (CPD).