Women in Colibași Are Expanding Access to Outdoor Sports Activities for Women, Men, Youth, Seniors, and People with Disabilities

In the village of Colibași from Cahul raion, a women-led initiative is helping unite the entire community. With support from Switzerland, through the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) and UN Women, the village created an outdoor fitness and recreation area that has become a strong example of community building through healthy living, equal access to opportunities, and inclusive public services. Today, more than 5,000 women, men, young people, seniors, and people with disabilities have free access to the sports facilities.

The project started with a simple but important issue: the lack of an accessible outdoor space where women could exercise and stay active. Although the village has one modern gym, it was not fully accessible or suited to the needs of all women in the community.

The solution came directly from women residents. A group called the “Women’s Initiative of Colibași,” made up of 15 active and engaged women, decided to take action.

“The women of Colibași came up with the idea of creating our own group,” says Victoria Matveev, president of the women’s initiative group. “Through this project, we wanted to make sure women and men had equal opportunities to participate in sports and physical activity without barriers.”

For many residents, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities, the new sports area has become more than just a place to exercise. It is now a gathering space where community members can spend time together and connect with one another.

Liliana-Loredana Netedu, a student from the village, says many people wanted opportunities to stay active but simply did not have access to them.

“Now that we have this space, most kids will come here often, especially when the weather is warm,” she says. “Before, there wasn’t anything like this in the village. The closest place was in Cahul, about 30 minutes away.”

As part of the project, 11 outdoor fitness machines were installed. The initiative represents an investment not only in health, but also in equal participation and stronger community ties. Community members volunteered throughout the process, while the women’s initiative group helped oversee implementation.

“All of this equipment was purchased so residents of the village, including children and older adults, can live healthier lives,” says local physical education teacher Mihai Buzdugan. “I’m confident these facilities will be used to their full potential.”

For local authorities, involving women in decision-making is an essential step toward building a more inclusive community. Through training sessions organized under the project “Women’s Leadership for Gender-Responsive Governance,” representatives from the Colibași townhall gained a deeper understanding of women’s needs and incorporated those priorities into the village’s new Local Development Strategy.

The project also introduced gender-responsive budgeting, helping local leaders turn ideas into concrete action by allocating resources more equitably and integrating gender perspectives into planning and development.

The sports alley project gave local officials an opportunity to apply what they learned in practice.

Mayor Ion Dolganiuc emphasized that the initiative itself came from local women, while Switzerland and UN Women Moldova provided financial support.

“The total cost of the project was 561,000 lei,” the mayor explains. “The local administration contributed 334,800 lei, and the remaining 277,000 lei needed to fully complete the project was covered through support from Switzerland, provided via UN Women Moldova and CALM.”

Creating the sports area involved several stages, from preparing the site to installing the equipment. The process required strong coordination and active participation from community members in order to create a welcoming and functional public space.

“I believe we created something truly valuable, and the credit belongs to these women from our community,” the mayor says. “Through trainings and focus groups, they learned how to allocate budgets in ways that fairly address the needs of both women and men in the village.”

Colibași is one of 22 communities across Moldova working to strengthen gender inclusion in local government and give women, vulnerable groups, and other local stakeholders a more active role in community development.

The modernization of sports alley project in Colibași is part of a broader initiative promoting gender-responsive governance, policymaking, and budgeting called “Women’s Leadership for Gender-Responsive Governance.” The program was developed in partnership with CALM and implemented by UN Women Moldova through two projects: EVOLVE4GE, funded by the European Union, and “Women for Peace and Prosperity,” funded by Switzerland.