2nd meeting of the North West RDA’s Local Stakeholders Group

13th of December 2023 marked the second meeting of the NW RDA’s LSG group within the Crowdfundmatch project, held at the headquarters of the North-West Regional Development Agency, located in Cluj-Napoca.

The purpose of this project is to contribute to improving the tools of regional development policy, considering the promotion of combining private resources obtained through crowdfunding campaigns with the ESI Funds (European Structural and Investment Funds), representing a significant step towards an innovative and sustainable approach to regional development.

Among those present were important representatives from the business environment, non-profit sector, and academic institutions in the region. The meeting was structured around the predefined agenda, starting with a welcome coffee and a networking session to strengthen connections between participants.

The first item on the agenda was a general presentation of the Crowdfundmatch project and specific activities carried out in the second semester of its implementation. Representatives had the opportunity to share their experiences and explore ways to optimize cooperation between the public and private sectors in crowdfunding campaigns.

Additionally, Raluca Suciu, an expert from North-West Regional Development Agency, presented an analysis of the crowdfunding market at the national level – a deliverable developed in the first semester of the project's implementation. This analysis highlighted current trends and challenges in this field from the perspective of the national market.

An important part of the meeting involved presenting examples of best practices identified in partner regions, such as Mare Circolare, Aviete, and StartGreen. These examples served as sources of inspiration and provided an opportunity to learn from the positive experiences of other communities.

The last segment of the meeting was dedicated to an interactive question and answer session, where participants had the opportunity to express opinions, ask questions, and discuss the future directions of the project.

The second meeting of the Local Stakeholders Group meeting was a significant step towards strengthening partnerships and collaboration between the public and private sectors for regional development. The Crowdfundmatch project represents an initiative with the potential to contribute to achieving regional development goals and enhancing the involved communities.