Tour Objectives
1. To develop economic and social links between the area and Lancashire.
 Comanesti is a former mining town – heavily dependant upon primary industry – with considerable tourism potential. It is situated in the foothills of the magnificent Carpathian Mountains – and within easy reach of some of the most spectacular historical and cultural sites in Romania.
The mayor would like to meet people who have a connection with business enterprise –who may be able to assist in business links between Romania (the newest member of the enlarged European Union).
2.
To stimulate support for a unique community venture
North East of Romania is one of the least prosperous areas of the country. Unemployment is high – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comanesti . The social implications of this are considerable, particularly the potential for domestic violence, fuelled by poor housing conditions, low incomes and a large supply of cheap vodka!
In partnership between the Town Mayor, Community Police, Romanian Government agencies, and all the Church Denominations, there is a proposal to set up a centre for the shelter of victims of domestic violence. 
It will be funded in part by EU programmes, and co-ordinated through a newly formed Association. This association is joint Romanian/English, and I have been asked to form part of the Executive Committee. The association will administer the project, in collaboration with its members.
The Mayor is keen to involve committed people in this ground-breaking project – particularly those with expertise in the areas of domestic violence and care of the most vulnerable members of society (the centre will also provide help for the elderly, including those left on miner’s pensions, who are exceedingly poor).
We have considerable expertise in the UK – both in the government and voluntary sectors. Comanesti seeks to become of the first towns in Romania to provide such facilities – and is doing so in a quite unique and  exciting way.
3.To make an individual contribution to humanitarian aid, through partnership with International Aid
International Aid has indicated its willingness to send a second truck load of aid to Comanesti. The precise details of this have yet to be finalised. There is no charge for the aid which will be sent. However, the cost of fuelling a truck and documentation for such a journey is roughly £2500.
The precise nature of the aid will be discussed during the August visit, so people taking part will be asked to raise funds for the cost of a consignment lidekly to go out during 2008.
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In August 2005, the City of Comanesti, in North East Romania, was devastated (for the second year) by severe floods, as were other parts of Romania. (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4173210.stm ) At that time, I was about to visit the country, and, with the assistance of International Aid (Preston), was able to co-ordinate the delivery of a significant quantity of humanitarian aid to the town.