Understanding which projects to implement or specific partners to conduct business with is extremely difficult to gauge for Peace Corps Volunteers in Moldova. I have had both incredibly positive and very underwhelming experiences when working on projects with counterparts. All of which have been performed with transparency, integrity, a central focus placed on skills-enhancement, and due diligence.

I was posed the following question by fellow volunteer Matt Rutter: “How should one, in the context of businesses or projects in Moldova, choose when to stand firm on the “right way” to implement (best practices, transparency, customer/beneficiary development, full implementation of activities as proposed on project proposal or business plan) or be flexible and follow “the way things are done here?“

Hear my opinion on the matter with practical examples of decisions I have had to make during my service: