The programme of the visit included meetings with the project teams, volunteers and beneficiaries of two projects developed by the Foundation for Community Support (FCS): the project “Integrated and Innovative Services for Rural Romania” developed in partnership with the Norwegian Municipality of Selbu through a grant of Euro 1,025,450 under Norway Grants, and the project “Integrated services for children” which benefited of a grant of Euro 390,466 under the EEA Grants. The Norwegian delegation was accompanied by the FSC team, by the Prefect Claudiu Balan, and the mayors and community representatives of Stanisesti and Motoseni communes – two locations of the project “Integrated and Innovative Services for Rural Romania” – in paying visits to the project beneficiaries and to the Community Centre Fantanele built in the project.
In the evening of February 25, Ambassador Hovdkinn gave the opening remarks in the fundraising Community Awards Gala 2010 organised by FCS under the patronage of the Norwegian Embassy with support from Norway Grants, in the presence of numerous local personalities, officials, business community and Mayor of Selbu Municipality in Norway. On this occasion, His Excellency handed out the Award for Excellency to Prof. Nicolae Popa for his outstanding achievements along the years to the benefit of the community in Podu Turcului in Bacau County. The Gala rose about Euro 20,000 from the local community for FSC’s future projects for children and elderly in Bacau County.
During his visit to Bacau County, Ambassador Hovdkinn also met and had a dialogue with Mr. Romeo Stavarache, Mayor of Bacau, and with Mr. Silviu Bondor and Mr. Dumitru Braneanu, Vice-Presidents of Bacau County Council, about the project “Integrated development strategy” developed by the County Council of Bacau with a grant of Euro 255,003 through the EEA Grants. Discussions focussed on current and future potential opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation as well. A press conference for the local mass-media was organised in the Administrative Palace in Bacau to inform of the developments in the projects supported through the Norwegian funds in Bacau county.
For more information regarding the projects, please see the enclosed newsletter as well as www.norwaygrants.org.