Bleșteni residents benefit from a modernized community center and improved access
Residents of the Blesteni commune, Edineț district enjoy enhanced facilities at the Multifunctional Community Center in Volodeni village. This improvement comes after the building was rehabilitated and access to it was modernized, thanks to government programs, including "European Village" and "European Village Express." The investments focused on making the building more energy-efficient and improving the pedestrian infrastructure. This work was carried out with financial support from the National Fund for Regional and Local Development (FNDRL).
The most recent project implemented in the commune is the “Thermal insulation of the Multifunctional Community Center Building in the village of Volodeni, Bleșteni commune.” This project was part of the second edition of the National Program “European Village.” The work included the reconstruction and thermal insulation of the building's exterior walls, for which the government allocated over 756,000 lei through the National Fund for Regional and Local Development (FNDRL), according to a press release from the National Office for Regional and Local Development (ONDRL).
The Multifunctional Community Center building was constructed in the 1970s and served as the local kindergarten for several decades. After the preschool relocated to the school building, the center closed but was later adapted for the community's new needs. Since 2014, it has been operating as a Multifunctional Community Center.
Due to a lack of major renovations over the years, the building's technical condition has deteriorated. The exterior walls, which had remained unfinished since construction, caused significant heat loss, compromising user comfort and increasing maintenance costs.
The building required significant finishing and thermal insulation work. It houses a cultural center, library, and social cafeteria, all of which are vital services for the community. According to Rodica Cotiujenschi, director of the Multifunctional Community Center, the improvements made through the "European Village" Program have greatly enhanced the building's appearance and energy efficiency. These upgrades have created better conditions for beneficiaries and facilitated further development of community services.
Earlier, under the "European Village Express" National Program, 550 meters of pedestrian access paths to the multifunctional center were completely rehabilitated. Over 388,000 lei were allocated from the state budget for this project through the FNDRL.
Authorities state that these investments have made access to the institutions within the center safer and more comfortable for all beneficiaries, including children, the elderly, and individuals with reduced mobility.
The Multifunctional Community Center currently includes a cultural center, public library, social cafeteria, local museum, sports hall, and the Public Association "Association of Blesteni–Volodeni Natives". Additionally, it hosts a senior women's craft circle, where local traditions are passed on to younger generations through activities such as weaving, braiding, and preserving authentic folk songs.
The direct beneficiaries of these projects include 15 employees of the institutions in the building, approximately 40 children who participate in music and sports clubs, 35 participants in the senior women's club, and over 200 users of the public library. The entire community is involved in activities at the center.
The social cafeteria plays a crucial role by providing a hot lunch daily for 30 people in need.
Liviu Belitei, the mayor of Bleșteni commune, stated that the investments from the two government programs have significantly improved the center's operating conditions and enabled the development of community services.
"Thanks to the 'European Village' and 'European Village Express' Programs, we were able to renovate the building to make it more energy-efficient and improve access to the institution—work that we could not have funded with our limited local budget. Today, the Multifunctional Community Center is one of the most important public spaces in the commune, hosting a variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational activities," said the mayor.
He emphasized that the center offers support to the elderly and socially vulnerable populations, with the social cafeteria directly aiding lonely individuals in the locality.
"We are grateful to the Government of the Republic of Moldova and our development partners for their support and for enabling us to carry out projects that truly enhance people's lives," said Liviu Belitei.
The commune of Bleșteni comprises the villages of Bleșteni and Volodeni, with a population of approximately 1,300, including around 200 children.
