In Ghizela, a commune in Timiş County in western Romania, public services have received a considerable boost thanks to a sustainable development strategy targeting local administration personnel. The strategy aimed at improving the quality of policy and decision-making by embedding these in a sustainable framework taking the needs of all members of society into account. Two training courses for civil servants and contractual staff were organised to upgrade their skills in the field of formulating, implementing and evaluating policies. Actors of civil society were also involved in the development of the strategy. And a consultation process provided 500 citizens with the opportunity to contribute their ideas and voice their concerns.