On September 9, 2025, in the capital of ATU Gagauzia, Comrat municipality, the official presentation of the technical assistance program IMPACT took place. The program is implemented by Civitta in partnership with the Regional Development Agency of ATU Gagauzia. The event, held at the Wine Garden Banquet Hall (Comrat Wines), gathered representatives of public administration, academia, civil society, and key regional partners.

The IMPACT Program, financed by the Government of Estonia through the agency ESTDEV, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, aims to support local public authorities, establish project laboratories, and strengthen cooperation between ATU Gagauzia and the European Union. “We are convinced that only through joint efforts of national and regional authorities, the academic community, and civil society can we build a modern and sustainable governance system that meets European standards,” emphasized Aune Kotli, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Estonia to the Republic of Moldova, in his speech.

A significant moment of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Margus Gering (ESTDEV) and Tatiana Doncheva, Director of the Regional Development Agency of ATU Gagauzia. “This memorandum is not just a formality. It is a guarantee that the region will receive real tools and support for implementing European practices and improving citizens’ quality of life,” stressed Margus Gering.

“The IMPACT program is an investment in the sustainable future of the region. It will enable ATU Gagauzia not only to implement local initiatives but also to integrate into a broader framework of cooperation with the European Union,” underlined Serghei Anastasov, Chair of the Regional Development Council.

The moderator of the event, Stela Corobceanu, together with the main speakers, presented the program’s priorities and implementation mechanisms:

• Reesi Lepa (CIVITTA) presented the goals and objectives of the IMPACT project;
• Tatiana Doncheva, Director of the RDA ATU Gagauzia, introduced the regional development priorities;
• Alla Levitskaia, professor of the Department of Economics, conducted a practical Ideathon exercise focused on identifying regional needs and shaping project ideas.

Students, faculty, heads of departments and faculties of CSU - Economic and Agrarian-Technological - were actively involved in the process of generating and discussing ideas. The participants' work ended with plenary presentations and the official opening of regional project laboratories, which will become a platform for developing initiatives and attracting investments.