Abstract:
In rural areas even if there is that natural, cultural, social potential, largely missing investment one. The same case is not only for the Republic of Moldova, but also for other states. Thus, a number of programs and initiatives have been initiated in order to support local economic development, one of which is the LEADER/CLLD Programme based on Local Action Groups. The Republic of Moldova has started the implementation of the LEADER approach in local development in 2016 with the support of the EU SARD Programme, implemented by UNDP Moldova and later, Solidarity Fund PL, USAID. From 2016 to 2020, over 400 local community development projects were implemented (of which 250 are ongoing projects) where over 300 rural localities were involved. The local success stories presented in this study demonstrate the role and support of the LEADER Programme for tourism development of rural areas.
