Fifth CAST Project Partners’ Meeting Held in Chișinău

Partners of the CAST project gathered in Chișinău, Moldova, for a two-day meeting dedicated to reviewing project progress, exchanging experiences, and planning upcoming activities.

During the first day of the meeting, partners presented the results achieved throughout the first year of project implementation and discussed recommendations arising from the first annual evaluation. Special attention was given to the achievements accomplished so far, the challenges encountered by the partners, and the planning of next steps that will contribute to the successful implementation of the project objectives.

As part of the study visit, participants toured the Mimi Castle and Winery, one of Moldova’s most renowned tourist attractions, and had the opportunity to learn about the rich cultural and wine-making traditions of the region.

The second day was dedicated to workshops focusing on pilot activities and project communication. Partners exchanged experiences and ideas regarding the implementation of pilot actions, while particular attention was paid to project communication through a joint review of successful practices and the development of recommendations for even more effective promotion of project results.

As part of the cultural programme, a pottery workshop was also organized, providing a unique insight into local craft traditions and highlighting the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage.

The two-day meeting reaffirmed the importance of continuous cooperation among partners and marked an important step in preparing future project activities that will contribute to achieving the objectives of the CAST project and strengthening community resilience through culture.

On the third day of their stay in Moldova, partners had the opportunity to participate in the Tourism Forum, where the CAST project was presented through promotional activities, a panel discussion, and networking with relevant stakeholders from the tourism and cultural sectors. The overall experience was rounded off with a visit to the village of Butuceni, an egg-painting workshop, and attendance at the open-air classical music festival “DescOperă,” one of the Moldovan partner’s pilot activities, which uniquely connects culture, community engagement, and local development.