Deputy Mayor Ilie Ceban Participated in the Third Global Meeting of Partners within the EU "Partnerships for Sustainable Cities" Program

Chișinău is strengthening its position as an active and visible partner within the European family of cities. The capital’s Deputy Mayor, Ilie Ceban, took part in the most important international forum dedicated to interurban cooperation – the Third Global Meeting of Partners within the “Partnerships for Sustainable Cities” program, a strategic initiative supported by the European Union. The event took place from May 7–9, 2025, in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Organized by the European Commission, together with the Municipality of Reggio Emilia and the E35 Foundation, the event brought together over 200 participants from dozens of cities across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, providing an open space for sharing ideas, strategies, and joint actions in support of sustainable urban development.

The visit was part of the “MOVE IT like Lublin” project, financed by the European Union and implemented by the Chișinău City Hall in partnership with the City Hall of Lublin, Poland. Deputy Mayor Ilie Ceban is the project’s supervisor on behalf of the municipal administration.

During the third Global Meeting of Partners of the “Partnerships for Sustainable Cities” Program, discussions focused on a range of key topics for the future of interurban cooperation and sustainable urban development.

A central point on the agenda was highlighting the tangible results and best practices generated through the city partnerships within the program.

Participants also discussed the future of interurban cooperation in the current geopolitical context and the increasingly active role of cities in promoting the European Union’s foreign policies. The importance of increased involvement of local administrations in decision-making processes and the definition of common strategic directions was emphasized.

Another major topic addressed was the access of local authorities to European funding for sustainable development projects. In this context, the need to strengthen the administrative and institutional capacities of cities to effectively attract and manage available resources was underscored.

The meeting also addressed the role of cities in promoting local democracy, good governance, and social cohesion, especially in regions facing fragile contexts. Cities were acknowledged as key actors in ensuring stability, promoting democratic values, and supporting vulnerable communities.

During the meeting, Deputy Mayor Ilie Ceban held discussions with program partners, where he highlighted the progress made by Chișinău through the “MOVE IT like Lublin” project—considered an example of best practices in developing public transport and promoting sustainable urban mobility.

Participation in this meeting provided Chișinău with the opportunity to strengthen international partnerships and learn from the experiences of other European and global cities.

The third Global Meeting of Partners also marked a transition phase: in 2025, many of the current interurban partnerships will come to an end. However, this very gathering outlined clear directions for what lies ahead: a new generation of European partnerships - more inclusive, more resilient, and more ambitious. Chișinău reaffirms its commitment to sustainable urban development aligned with European values and priorities.

Context information:

The "MOVE IT like Lublin" project - the initiative for the sustainable development of public transport in the municipality of Chisinau, financed by the European Union, is implemented on the basis of a partnership between the City Hall of Chisinau and the City Hall of Lublin in Poland. The project will be implemented by 2025 and will provide support to transform the city's public transport services into a more inclusive, safer, more resilient and sustainable transport system. The total budget of the project is in the amount of 3,500,000 euros, of which 3,325,000 euros is the contribution of the European Union in the form of a grant, and 175,000 euros are allocated by the Chisinau City Hall.