About LRPD Programme
The Local and Regional Partnership Development
Programme (LRPD) began in December 2001. It was originally conceived
as a way of demonstrating how public institutions could work
more closely with people to stimulate economic and social development,
reduce poverty, and social exclusion, through an inclusive regional
development process. It was decided that the main focus would
be in the counties of Botosani and Vaslui and to work with the
North-East Regional Development Agency; which is the public
body responsible for coordinating regional planning in that
region. A smaller component was later started in the South Muntenia
region.
This book is about partnerships. While the
fundamental success of the LRPD programme is based on the local
partnerships that were developed, I think that the partnership
behind the programme was central to the way it evolved, and
readjusted, as priorities changed and opportunities presented
themselves. The main partner was the donor, the British Government's
Department for International Development (DFID). Not only did
DFID identify the need, develop the programme concept and contract
the consortium, they also provided hands-on support throughout
the programme, and provided a level of knowledge and flexibility
that enabled the project to evolve. They also participated in
our events, came up with new ideas, and the DFID staff in Bucharest
were seen as an integrated part of the day-to-day programme
team.
Mark Barrett, LRPD Team Leader
Bucharest, January 2005
