Strengthening Capacities for a Better Functioning Gagauz Autonomy in MD '19-'21 Strengthening Capacities for a Better Functioning Gagauz Autonomy in MD '19-'21 Detta är den tredje fasen av ett komplext utvecklingsprojekt som stöds av Sverige i Moldavien sedan 2015 för att bygga ett samarbete mellan centrala institutioner i Chisinau och autonoma institutioner i Comrat (Gagauzien). Baserat på de resultat som uppnåddes i de föregående faserna av projektet finns det behov av förbättrad kapacitet i nyckelinstitutioner (verkställande och andra) i Gagauzien och i Chisinau för en mer underbyggd och lösningsorienterad dialog om politiska frågor, institutionella mekanismer och klargörande av kompetenser - prioriteringar som fastställts av arbetsgruppen i den föregående fasen.

Mål 1 kommer att inriktas på att förbättra kapaciteten och kompetensen hos de centrala verkställande institutionerna och aktörerna om harmonisering och klargörande av kompetenser, institutionella mekanismer, dialog och medling. Så att de gemensamt kan utveckla lösningar på dessa områden. Verksamheten kommer dessutom att skapa förbättrad kapacitet hos nyckelaktörer men också generera konkreta förslag och lösningar som gemensamt utvecklats i Comrat och Chisinau med stöd av expertgruppen och arbetsgruppen.

Mål 2 aktiviteter syftar till att bygga upp tillit och förtroende mellan politiska eliter i Chisinau och Comrat genom återupprättandet av den parlamentariska dialogen. Förbättrade relationer genom parlamentarisk dialog kommer att bidra till att utveckla långsiktiga lösningar och positiva förändringar. Mål 1 och 2 kommer att kopplas ihop genom att de informerar och stödjer varandra i verksamheten. Utöver sin egen agenda som utvecklats i WG kommer lösningarna och överenskommelserna enligt mål 1 (lösningar inom politikområdena, institutionella mekanismer, harmonisering och andra) att fogas in den politiska parlamentariska processen, så att det politiska samhället i Chisinau och Comrat skulle överväga och finna enighet om dessa frågor genom parlamentets WG:s arbete. Därför kommer de parlamentariska och verkställande institutionerna i Chisinau och Comrat under det första och andra målet att inleda dialog om viktiga frågor och politik som genereras av dem med stöd av expertgruppen och arbetsgruppen.

Mål 3 riktar sig till viktiga aspekter av processen. Det första är att säkerställa en inkluderande och demokratisk karaktär i såväl dialog som lösningar utvecklade i de politiska komponenterna, i verkställande och lagstiftande grenar. Det andra är att genom deltagande bidra till förändring av narrativet från en negativ och förenklad bild om autonomin till en positiv och välinformerad. Inblandning av olika aktörer från det civila samhället, akademin, experter och andra kommer att se till att alla aktörer får möjlighet att få sina röster hörda och att bidra med sina perspektiv, kompetens och kunskap till dialogen och lösningarna om autonomins problem som genomförts på politisk nivå. This is the 3rd phase of a complex development project supported by Sweden in Moldova since 2015 to build trustful partnership between central institutions in Chisinau and autonomous institutions in Comrat (Gagauzia).  Based on the achievements met in the previous phases of the project, there is a need for improved capacities in key institutions (executive and others) in Gagauzia and in Chisinau for more substantiated and solution-oriented dialogue on key policy issues, institutional mechanisms and the clarification of competences – priorities established by the Working Group in previous phase.

Objective 1 will target improving capacities and skills of key executive institutions and stakeholders on harmonization and clarification of competences, institutional mechanisms and dialogue and mediation skills so that they could jointly develop solutions in these areas. The activities will produce in addition improved capacities of key stakeholders also concrete proposals and solutions jointly developed by Comrat and Chisinau stakeholders and supported by the expert group and task force.

Objective 2 activities target building trust and confidence between political elites in Chisinau and Comrat through the re-establishment of the parliamentary dialogue as a key political channel. Improved relationships through the parliamentary dialogue will contribute to developing and endorsing long term solutions and positive change. The objectives 1 and 2 will be connected through informing and supporting each other in the activities. In addition to their own agenda developed in the WG that will inform the work done with the executive stakeholders, the solutions and agreements achieved under Objective 1, (solutions in the policy areas, solutions for institutional mechanisms, harmonization and others) will feed into the political parliamentary process, so that political community in Chisinau and Comrat would deliberate and find consensus on these issues through the parliamentary WG’s work. Therefore, under first and second objectives, the parliamentary and executive institutions in Chisinau and Comrat will engage on dialogue on substantive issues and policies generated by them with support from the expert group and task force.

Objective 3 targets important aspects of the process. First, is to ensure inclusive and democratic nature of dialogue and solutions developed in the political components, in executive and legislative branches. Second, is through participation to contribute to the transformation of narrative from negative and simplified about the autonomy to the positive and well-informed. Involvement of various stakeholders from the broader communities of civil society, academia, experts, and others in discussions will ensure that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to have their voices heard, and to contribute with their perspectives, expertise and knowledge to the dialogue and solutions on autonomy issues implemented on the political level. Objective 1. Improved capacities in Gagauzia ATU, and among executive institutions in Chisinau, in clarification of competences; policy development; and institutional mechanisms governing center autonomy relationships.
Meaningful advancement of the dialogue process requires strong capacities and well-developed ideas of priorities in Gagauzia on various policy areas to be discussed in dialogue formats. This component of the project targets development of such capacities in key subject areas: clarification of competences, institutional mechanisms and sector specific policy areas in order to develop various technical solutions in the expert, and executive level to be channeled for political support to the parliamentary dialogue group. The capacities and solutions (such as mechanism recommendations or policy strategies) then formulate the agenda for meaningful and constructive dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat which is not possible without capacities and joint proposals.
Key expected outcomes:? Improved capacities in Gagauzia to develop sector-specific policies and policy management plans for Gagauzia competences and on institutional mechanisms;? Improved capacities among Autonomy officials for autonomy functioning, competency clarification and management, and development of legislation in accordance with the national legislative framework;? Improved capacities among expert community in Gagauzia and Chisinau in clarification of competences, and participatory policy development in target sectors;? Improved capacities to analyze and identify gaps and opportunities on institutional mechanisms governing center-autonomy relationships;? Improved coordination and dialogue between executive institutions and between executive and parliamentary actors on Gagauzia related issues in Comrat and Chisinau;? Comprehensive vision/policy developed in target sectors in Gagauzia (culture, tourism and education, including language policy). 
Objective 2. Improved relationships and increased trust between parliamentary and other political actors in Chisinau and Comrat to create political consensus and support for implementation and better functioning of the autonomy. 
The project aims to continue supporting sustained dialogue at the parliamentary level to create a conducive political environment for dialogue and policy making, including mandating the work to be pursued and to support implementation of legislative and policy solutions developed at the executive and technical level. This will be achieved by building trust and confidence among parliamentary actors in Comrat and Chisinau as well as foster linkages with executive branches (both in Chisinau and Comrat and across centre and autonomy institutions), improving their capacity to engage in dialogue and developing broader consensus.
Key expected outcomes:? Increased trust and confidence among key parliamentary actors in Chisinau and Comrat;? Re-convening of the high-level and visible political dialogue resulting from the official WG process between Chisinau and Comrat (supported by senior leaders);? Improved cooperation and coordination between parliamentary and executive actors in Chisinau and Comrat and across center and the autonomy;? Increased outreach/engagement with broader parliamentary actors in Chisinau and Comrat on Gagauzia issues and the issues discussed in the parliamentary working group.? Increased visibility of women involved in the process and a better understanding of gender equality perspective among Working Group members.
Objective 3. Increased participation and inclusivity among a broader group of stakeholders in Gagauzia and Chisinau on clarification of competences, targeted sectoral policy development and institutional mechanisms governing center autonomy relations.
The experience of the previous phase and feedback from the parliamentary group members indicate a need for a more active approach to communication, participation and outreach to targeted and broader stakeholders. First, the focus of the project on development of capacities and solutions in policy areas require participation and input a broad base of actors to make them legitimate. Secondly, there is a need to manage expectations and strategically communicate regarding the work of the parliamentary dialogue to create confidence around the dialogue process and ensure support. Finally, participatory processes improve awareness and understanding among key groups such as political elites, civil society actors among others which is necessary for reaching sustainable solutions and advancing work on the autonomy in the long-term.
Key expected outcomes:? Increased cohesion and vision among autonomy stakeholders (parliamentary, executive, civil society) in key agreed policy areas: culture, education, regional development, etc.? A broader group of stakeholders in Gagauzia, including civil society, academia and expert community, who participate in and provide input to the development of policy recommendations in target areas;? Improved understanding among expert and civil society communities in Chisinau and Comrat on issues related to competences and their management in key agreed sectors.