Since gaining independence in 1991, Moldova has undergone a transformation from a Soviet Republic to a democratic state. A key part of this has been decentralization, legally framed by the 2006 Law on Administrative Decentralization. However, local public service (LPS) provision remains weak. To address this, the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction (MRDC) and its regional agencies (RDAs) oversee regional planning. In 2010, GIZ launched the Modernization of Local Public Services (MLPS) project, initiating a solid waste management (SWM) pilot in Soldanesti, Floresti, and Rezina. Most of the 185,000 residents across 100 communities lacked waste services. GIZ-MLPS commissioned the Center for Rural Development (SLE) to support participatory development of the SWM chapters of local socioeconomic development strategies (SEDS). Workshops enabled stakeholders to collaboratively assess needs, define visions and objectives, and draft preliminary strategic content. The strategic planning cycle guided the process, including stakeholder dialogue, capacity development, and rapid appraisals. Key objectives included establishing sustainable waste services, safe disposal, financial viability, awareness, and recycling. The approach improved inter-level cooperation and highlighted gaps in planning capacity. Recommendations include finalizing national SWM strategy, enhancing NGO involvement, and formalizing local strategic planning frameworks. Despite limited local resources, decentralization is progressing. Success hinges on capacity building, inter-municipal cooperation, and public awareness. The participatory method increased stakeholder engagement and offered a model for future initiatives. While participation must be tailored to context, it proved effective in generating actionable, consensus-based planning content.