Since 2018, I have been actively involved in numerous efforts to bring transparency and justice to my community in Rasova, Romania. My journey began with a commitment to improving the living environment and holding local officials accountable for their actions. I took on the challenge of exposing corruption, misuse of EU funds, and environmental violations, which led me to initiate formal complaints, document the issues extensively, and fight for justice in courts and institutions.

In the early years, my focus was on addressing illegal landfills, improper waste disposal, and environmental degradation. I worked tirelessly with the Environmental Protection Agency, which issued several sanctions against the local administration for these infractions. Despite this progress, I faced substantial resistance from local officials, including the mayor Maria Mitu. Notably, the Court of Accounts held the mayor personally responsible for financial misconduct, requiring her to make payments out of her own pocket. These sanctions seemed like a turning point, but enforcement remained weak, and the accountability process was frequently stalled. This resistance continued even under the new mayor, Neamt Mihalache, demonstrating that the systemic issues of corruption and negligence were far from resolved.

One of the significant obstacles I faced was being limited to the role of a witness, rather than being recognized as a formal party in legal proceedings, despite my extensive involvement in bringing these issues to light. As a result, I was unable to fully present the evidence I had gathered—including videos, documents, and photos—to demonstrate the extent of the environmental and administrative abuses. The judicial system’s refusal to acknowledge me as a claimant prevented the prosecution of those responsible, even though the evidence was clear and compelling.

In 2024, after years of continuous complaints, appeals, and participation in hearings, the case was definitively closed. This decision underscored the challenges I faced in pushing for justice within a system resistant to transparency and reform. Nevertheless, I brought the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), highlighting the violations of due process and discrimination I experienced. This journey has been filled with setbacks, but it remains an important testament to the importance of fighting for justice, even against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

After six years of struggle and sacrifice, it is now essential to look back, to reflect, and to reassess. The work of the past years must be documented and not forgotten—a record for future “Don Quixotes” like myself who strive to make a difference. This reflection serves as a legacy, showing that even when progress seems elusive, the fight itself is a vital part of driving change.