From 17 May to 02 June 2021 in Moinești, Bacău County, took place the research camp, organized and coordinated by Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. The project was coordinated, as in previous years, by Prof. Nellie van der Pasch, responsible for activities in Romania.

The team that participated in this programme carried out research, discovery and identification of the needs of the community of Moinești, related to agriculture, tourism, ecology, healthy lifestyle. This research exercise aimed at discovering innovative solutions to improve the lifestyle of the inhabitants.

This year’s camp benefited from the active involvement of “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacău, through Mrs Elene Nichita, Pro-rector for national and international relations, as well as from the permanent support of the local public authorities of Moinești, through Mr Valentin Vieru, Mayor, and specialists from the specialized department, such as Mrs Mădălina Armeanu, Head of Projects Office. IT. Development and Promotion Strategies and Mr. Viorel Costea, Head of the Culture, Youth, Sport and Business Environment Office.

Due to the health context and international movement restrictions, the Dutch partners participated online in the activities, but this was an opportunity for the Romanian students.

Thus, 9 students of the University of Bacău participated in several training/learning sessions organized by the University of the Netherlands, activities related to the smooth running of the project such as: project structure, interviewing techniques, mapping the allocated area, selecting people for the interview, identifying needs and proposing innovative solutions.

The novelty of this year’s research was that only Romanian students were in the field and carried out the interviews, mapping the area. The interviews were filmed and at the end of each day, together with the members of the 9 teams from the Netherlands, they worked together on the project, carrying out SWOT analysis, identifying opportunities and exploring innovative ideas that could be turned into impactful projects for the Moines community.

All the students of the University of Bacau involved in the project received financial support from the Dutch partners throughout the project, with expenses for transport, meals and even a financial incentive for their involvement in the activities covered.

On 02 June 2021, the activity of presentation of the project ideas by the 9 teams formed by the students of the University of the Netherlands and the University of Bacau took place online. During the meeting there were interactions with the team members aimed at clarifying different aspects as well as ideas for improving or enhancing the projects.

The ideas presented covered topics such as: opportunities for tourism development in the area, agricultural development, social activities.

The concepts presented during the meeting will be transformed into projects, so on June 18, 2021 there will be a new meeting: the innovation fair, where the best project ideas will be awarded and some of them will be included in the Local Development Strategy of the Municipality of Moinești.

In 2019, such a research camp was also held in the locality of Tașca, Jud Neamt, following which 3 projects were implemented: the establishment of a social centre, selective waste collection and a craft brewery.

This type of programme involving universities from Romania and the Netherlands, the North-East RDA and localities in the North-East region has already a five-year history, the aim being always the same: research, discovering the needs of a community, and at the end, proposing projects with innovative ideas to improve the lives of citizens.