---
title: "Moldovan diaspora and UNDP fund rural upgrades in Costuleni"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/86304/moldovan-diaspora-and-undp-fund-rural-upgrades-in-costuleni
published: 2026-09-28T05:08:00Z
language: en
author: "Evelina Curca"
section: "Social"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldovan diaspora and UNDP fund rural upgrades in Costuleni

> Residents and expatriates from Costuleni partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to build an off-grid recreation park and pave 1.4 kilometers of rural road in Moldova’s western Ungheni district.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/3d24c598-7926-4151-a392-839b3771b0a2.jpg)

Residents and expatriates from Costuleni partnered with the United Nations Development Programme to build an off-grid recreation park and pave 1.4 kilometers of rural road in Moldova’s western Ungheni district.

**Off-grid solar recreation hub**

The newly developed community space opened in November, providing leisure and athletic facilities for both youth and children in the village of 2,300 residents. Conceived three years ago following consultations between the local administration and citizens living abroad, the project mobilized co-financing from multiple sources.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) backed the initiative with a grant of approximately €8,180 (approx. 160,000 MDL). Members of the diaspora contributed nearly €2,250 (approx. 44,000 MDL), while the local mayor's office allocated €2,550 (approx. 50,000 MDL). 

A key technical feature of the sports complex is its autonomous photovoltaic lighting system. *“The lighting covers the entire recreation ground and relies on a photovoltaic system, allowing the fixtures to function independently without connecting to the national power grid,”* said Tatiana Clopot, administrator of the Costuleni Hometown Association.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/8d7a97d7-6ed6-4b31-9864-cf654f8aeee3.jpg)

**Community-financed road modernization**

Civic mobilization also addressed critical transport infrastructure by rehabilitating a 1.4-kilometer roadway that previously became impassable during rainy seasons. The upgraded route directly improves daily connectivity and access to local water sources.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/980d61d1-4fa8-4af5-bd8f-7109bc247db2.jpg)

The local council provided €81,840 (approx. 1.6 million MDL) to purchase construction materials, while residents contributed over €10,230 (approx. 200,000 MDL) to finance execution works. Individual households contributed approximately €128 (approx. 2,500 MDL) each to ensure the road was surfaced.

*“This is the most substantial joint project completed alongside the people of Costuleni,”* said Mayor Andrei Rudicov. *“When citizens actively participate and invest their own resources, they show greater respect and long-term care for the public infrastructure they helped create.”*

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/d62f385e-628a-437e-b5cf-e15561b966d1.jpg)

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