Mayors, journalists, representatives of central authorities and development partners took stock of the "Watch. Listen. Understand" campaign at a celebration event, held by the Organization of the United Nations in Moldova (UN). The UN has supported this major journalistic project, conducted by Radio Free Europe, as a partner. The campaign was conducted in partnership with the Independent Press Association.

As part of the campaign, over the course of August 2015, 20 localities across the entire country participated in debates about their communities and expressed their opinions.

"I wish to congratulate and thank Radio Free Europe, which establishes high media standards everywhere in the world, for the idea of this campaign. I have a deep respect for every journalist that has caught „the spirit of the village” telling the story of the country through pictures, video and audio reportages that reaches out to everyone. I know that this has been a complex mission and the results are outstanding.", says Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP resident representative in Moldova.

About 100 experts from around the country, as well as from abroad, participated in the campaign and discussed with people and local public authorities on the problems and solutions.

Sergiu Ceaus, the Deputy General Secretary of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, says "anyone can bring Europe to their home by means of concrete actions. Radio Free Europe showed how the media is capable and should be closer to the people: reach out to them, listen to them and broadcast the voice of the people".

More than 70 audio and video reportages were prepared as part of the campaign. These will be broadcast on several radio and television stations and posted on specialized websites from within the country and from abroad.

Vasile Botnaru, Director of the Chisinau office of Radio Free Europe, says: "This was a successful project which helped us understand the mood of the people from the villages of the Republic of Moldova and to carry out our work as journalists in a manner useful to citizens''.

The campaign started on 1 August in the Sarata Galbena commune of the Hincesti rayon, and various villages and towns from all across the country were visited throughout August 2015. The campaign ended in Chisinau, on the last day of the month.

The UN Support for the campaign was provided through the Joint Integrated Local Development Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with financial support from the Governments of Denmark and Sweden.