Project "Promoting examples of strategic cooperation between key local actors in solving environmental problems in the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site”
In the period February 2020-February 2021, Ecological Society "BIOTICA" implemented the project "Promoting examples of strategic cooperation between key local actors in solving environmental problems in the Ramsar Site of "Lower Dniester" financed under the GEF Small Grants Program, implemented by UNDP Moldova.

For the 13 localities from Ștefan-Vodă and Căușeni districts, located in the “Lower Dniester” Ramsar Zone, a simple but complex objective was set: to contribute as much as possible to the conservation of the local landscape by involving the main local actors in solving local problems. 
Therefore, in the period March-April, together with the Administrative Council of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site the contest “The greenest, healthiest and most clean locality” was organized among the 13 localities from the “Lower Dniester” Ramsar Site. The experts' committee nominated the winners who received the prizes. Thus, in Palanca, which won the first place, a domestic water heating system with solar energy was installed in the multifunction centre from the village. For Cirnățeni, which ranked second, 2 sets of dumpsters for separate waste collection were purchased. For Purcari, which was designated on the third place, 4 barrels for rainwater collection and irrigation of the land related to the town hall were purchased.

Within the same project, in the spring of 2020, a visitor point (scenic area) of the Ramsar Site “Lower Dniester” at the Lomakin Height in Răscăieți village was identified and arranged. This place was equipped with the necessary infrastructure for the visit and stop of tourist groups, later the place being connected and promoted within the tourist routes of the area.
Later, during August-October, among the same 13 localities, the contest "Clean river from village to village" took place. Răscăieți was the locality that won the first place and that benefited from the replacement of the old type electric bulbs with the led type ones at the mayoralty and partially at the kindergarten in the locality. Copanca took second place and received a net to stop the garbage in a small river. For Palanca, which was designated 3rd, a set of information panels on environmental protection and value of the Ramsar Site was developed. 

In the autumn of 2020, forest curtain planting works were carried out on approx. 4 ha of water protection strips, along the Old Dniester riverbed in the villages of Talmaza (r. Ștefan-Vodă) and Copanca (r. Căușeni). Forest stripes must exist in accordance with the current legislation, but their benefit to the local landscape and ecosystem is not well understood by the population and the local administration. Thus, this project was addressed, to increase the awareness of local actors through their involvement in practical activities.