EU – Moldova: cooperation news, November – December 2023

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

EU – MOLDOVA: COOPERATION NEWS NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2023

TABLE OF CONTENT

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MOBILITY AND PEOPLE

Edineț - in the process of transition towards a modern and sustainable municipality with the financial support of the European Union

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Call for EU-supported mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals

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Over 700 people saw the films screened during the European Film Month 2023 in Chișinău

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Improving critical thinking among youth through media literacy games

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National campaign dedicated to Erasmus+ Information Days started in December 2023

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European Union support geared towards community development and social responsibility, under EU4Accountability

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Takeover Day 2023: extended campaign at district level in Strășeni

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CahulActiv platform launched with the EU support – provides residents in the South with easy tools to plan cultural and sporting activities

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Cinematic symphony “Odyssey MD” in its first screening in Chișinău

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STRONGER SOCIETY

The challenges and priorities of the Republic of Moldova in justice, social and economic areas discussed with the media representatives in the context of the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union

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EUROSFAT 2023: European Parliamentary Groups support Moldova’s accession to the European Union

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DonezAlimente.md: a digital solution, developed with the EU assistance, to support social services and reduce food waste

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European Union and UNFPA Grant Programme empowers local organisations to scale up gender-based violence prevention

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9 maternity hospitals in the country received modern ambulances provided with the support of the European Union

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Equal access for Roma to adequate and desegregated housing – key topic addressed at the European Platform for Roma Inclusion

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European standards on hate speech and hate crimes at the centre of training for legal professionals in the Republic of Moldova

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Joining efforts for a better protection of victims of discrimination in the Republic of Moldova

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Improving the processing of cases of hate speech appearing in the media in the Republic of Moldova

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Training legal professionals to combat discrimination on religious, ethnic and linguistic grounds in the Republic of Moldova

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Empowering female expertise within the mass media of the Republic of Moldova to achieve gender parity

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A day centre for children with intellectual disabilities was inaugurated in Bălți with the support of the European Union and the Soros Foundation Moldova

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Unique digital art event marked the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign

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INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT

Preparations for the accession negotiations of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union

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New tools to streamline the planning of actions related to European Union accession process

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Preparation for the implementation of the new Law on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products

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New EU General Product Safety Regulation on its way of being transposed into a new primary law and a Governmental regulation

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Trainings on the new Law on Access to Information of Public Interest for public authorities and judges

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Alignment with the EU payment security standards in the digital era – analysed in the Republic of Moldova

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EUBAM Head meets with EU Council Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management

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EUBAM highlights cross-border cooperation at a high-level conference on customs anti-fraud, navigating shared challenges in the evolving landscape of transnational crime

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EUBAM-led Customs Coordination Group remains committed to supporting the EU-Solidarity Lanes initiative in the lower Danube region

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Capacity of experts working in the laboratories of the National Agency for Food Safety - strengthened with EU support

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National Agency for Food Safety specialists in continuous training and professional growth, with the EU assistance

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Improving compliance with standards and technical regulations in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products – new support from the European Union and UNIDO

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New perspectives and recommendations for improving access to justice in the Republic of Moldova

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The results of the EU Project “Enhance transparency, accountability and access to the judiciary system” presented in a public event

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Viorica Dragan, Census Enumerator: using tablets to collect data made me much more efficient and people were more responsive

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Local elections in the Republic of Moldova: taking stock of the lessons learnt on monitoring hate speech in the media during the electoral campaign

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The Council of Europe organised a training on the Law of the European Union for judges and staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova

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Representatives of the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova took part in a study visit to the Centre for Judicial Studies in Lisbon

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Staff and Inter-Agency Working Group of the Ministry of Justice learned about the North Macedonian Experience in the EU screening process under Chapter 23 and Political Criteria

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Intermunicipal cooperation, a model for organising public services, piloted

by Cahul and Ungheni districts

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The city halls of Cahul and Ungheni municipalities have been ISO-certified on quality management and anti-bribery

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The series of public discussions on the Public Finance Management Development Strategy continues

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Criminal investigation specialists build their capacities in the field of blockchain and on-chain forensics

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Two new EU High Level Advisers join the Mission in the Republic of Moldova

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First high-level regional conference on cross-border crime risks takes place in Chișinău, organised by the Customs Service and the EU High Level Advisers Mission

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Information campaign on the new Customs Code continues with training sessions for Customs officials

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Enhancing reputation

institutional

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New vehicles donated to the Border Police and the General Inspectorate for Migration, with the EU financial support

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prosecutor

communication:

strengthening

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Strengthening the skills of the Vocational Education and Training teachers from Moldova under EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme

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The story of the winemaking sisters from Kislov – beneficiaries of an EU grant

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With the support of the European Union, 20 women from the Telenești district benefited from training in the field of entrepreneurship

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With the support of the EU and UNDP Moldova, a quail farm is being developed in the south of the country

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Over 550 business people took part in the large-scale awareness raising campaign on the new Customs Code

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Building a better future: Moldova's path to a balanced job market with the support of the European Union

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Civil Society Organisations in Moldova are ready to empower young entrepreneurs

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Moldova’s road to the European Union: Economic challenges and opportunities in focus

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ENERGY RESILIENCE

EU Climate and Green Diplomacy Weeks in the Republic of Moldova continued until the end of 2023

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Compensation on heating and electricity bills for Moldovan consumers - offered with European Union financial support

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Vulnerable families in Moldova benefit of vouchers to acquire energy-efficient household appliances with assistance of the European Union

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Thanks to European Union assistance to Moldova’s efforts on an energy transition, residents of four blocks of flats in Chișinău will pay up to 30% less for heating

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With the support of the European Union, more than 290 students and teachers from the “Matei Basarab” Lyceum in Basarabeasca benefit from improved study conditions

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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

National authorities, individual national experts and students in the Republic 124 of Moldova learnt about using the COPERNICUS datasets for high resolution monitoring of ecosystem dynamics Transboundary water management: Moldova-Ukraine cooperation meeting 126 in November European Union supports the sustainable waste management in the Republic 128 of Moldova Eco-labelling and Sustainable Public Procurement promoted in Moldova with 129 the EU4Environment support Sustainable Public Procurement and eco-labelling in the Republic of Moldova: 131 main results achieved

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RESILIENT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Kindergarten children in Ungheni build and program robots

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Moldova LEADER IT Software: IT-tool that brings digital transformation to 136 rural development EaPConnect partner RENAM supports Moldova’s new cervical cancer 138 screening network The activity of an agricultural company in Cahul has been modernised thanks 139 to a grant for digitalisation, provided by the European Union and Sweden Young innovators from the Southern region received awards at "Cahul Hacks 142 for Sustainable Goods" Hackathon Small entrepreneurs in the digital age: success story of the Munteanu couple 144 from Cahul

MOBILITY AND PEOPLE Edineț - in the process of transition towards a modern and sustainable municipality with the financial support of the European Union Modernised, digitised public services based on environmentally friendly technologies were inaugurated on 6 December in the municipality of Edineț. These services include sustainable public transport, smart street lighting, investments in the local education system, etc. These remarkable results have been achieved within the framework of the project “Edineț - insights into tomorrow cities” financed by the European Union and implemented by the City Hall of Edineț municipality in partnership with Alba Iulia City Hall, Romania.

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NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

"In recent years, the municipality of Edineț has managed to attract investments from various programmes funded by the EU and its Member States. Infrastructure in schools and kindergartens has been improved, a new water and sanitation system has been built, an industrial park has been developed, providing more than 400 jobs. Today we are launching a number of smart public services, which

will also contribute to the implementation of systemic change at the local level, including the promotion of smart urban governance through participatory approach. I am confident that these services will improve the lives of residents in a tangible way, which is the main objective of the European Union,”

Subsequently, residents and guests of the municipality of Edineț will benefit from modernised public transport infrastructure, including 8 modern and environmentally friendly (EURO 6) buses, accessible to people with disabilities and with a high level of comfort for passengers. At the same time, in order to increase the efficiency and transparency in the operation of public transport, the municipality will also benefit from a transport management system that includes GPS monitoring and a control point with installed monitoring equipment, while passengers will be able to choose between 3 methods of payment for transport services: bank card, a specially developed card or cash.

At the same time, within the framework of the project, 17 smart public bus stations, equipped with information panels, video cameras, photovoltaic lighting, and WiFi (free access to the Internet) have been built. Traffic lights with a programmed green light system for public transport have been installed at three road intersections in the city centre.

said Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

Within the project, the public street lighting system has been modernised and equipped with video surveillance cameras, of which 10 public lighting poles have been equipped with additional functionalities, such as a WiFi system and a USB socket; and 3 poles have been equipped with multi-functional information panels (temperature, air quality

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

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and time sensors). In order to modernise the public lighting system, 216 poles, over 200 LED lights, over 40 video cameras, a video data storage server, 410 public lighting control modules have been installed, and 40 public lighting switch-on points have been modernised and integrated into the remotecontrol system.

It should be emphasised that the electricity needed for the operation of the modernised infrastructure is produced from renewable energy sources, also provided with the financial support of the European Union. In this respect, a photovoltaic system has been mounted on the building of the city hall, the Young Technicians Centre, and the Cultural Centre in municipality Edineț, with a capacity of 40kW each. At the same time, to ensure the proper functioning of the smart public infrastructure, an underground network of 7.2 km of optical fibre (Internet) has been installed to connect the smart public objectives and also the public transport video surveillance and monitoring system.

Moreover, in the context of the Digital Transformation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030, within the framework of the project, the Smart Lab - a

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In order to increase the sustainability of the municipality of Edineț, the project also promotes the culture of engaging residents in the decision-making process to modernise and streamline public infrastructure. Thus, 5 tenants’ associations in Edineț benefit from grants offered by the European Union, totalling about 3,590,800 lei. The grants have been offered following a public competition on applicable smart solutions for the benefit of tenants. Finalists have been selected through public voting. Thus, the grants offered are meant to solve problems in residential areas in order to modernise the infrastructure adjacent to the apartment blocks, such as the efficient arrangement of public spaces in neighbourhoods, paving, the arrangement of functional areas, the installation of doors, smart lighting, and solutions for the management of rainwater and green areas based on automated irrigation systems.

Multidisciplinary Studies Centre for Students and Teacher Training in Digitalisation - has been created and equipped on the premises of the local Mihai Eminescu Lyceum.

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Among the smart public services inaugurated in Edineț is the One-Stop Shop at the premises of the city hall. The OneStop Shop has been equipped with furniture for comfortable servicing of the population.

Within the framework of the project, the shop will soon receive IT equipment and an urban data platform and e-chancellery system will be developed. Citizens will subsequently be able to apply for about 20 types of documents, including urban planning certificates for design, building or demolition permits, notifications of commercial activity commencement, issuance of duplicates and extracts from the archives, and much more.

“It is worth underlining that this pilot project has not only opened up new horizons for Edineț community, but has also been a formula of civic engagement, prioritisation of needs, as well as a trend of retrieving new public services in a predominantly European society, both as an affirmation and an aspiration. Thus, Edineț remains a trailblazer on the safe path towards the European Community. We are grateful to the European Union for this opportunity,” said Constantin Cojocaru, Mayor of Edineț.

The event culminated in the inauguration of the “Edineț – Smart City” symbol installed in the city centre, which marks the direction of urban development in the municipality of Edineț for the coming years.

Background information The aim of the “Edineț - a city with a future perspective” project, which is in the process of implementation between March 1, 2021 and February 28, 2025, is to improve the quality of urban development, public services and, in general, the standard of living of the residents of Edineț, through the application of smart solutions in several areas of urban development: local government, public services, residential neighbourhoods, business, and education.

The project budget is 4,358,886 Euros, of which 4,140,186 Euros are a grant from the European Union through the “Local Authorities: Partnerships for Sustainable Cities 2020” programme, and 218,700 Euros is the contribution of the implementing partners.

The project started with the development of the General Urban Plan. It contains the plan of the city’s territorial development for the next 15 years.

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Call for EU-supported mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals Funded by the European Union (EU), the EU4Culture project opens its mobility grant call for artists and cultural professionals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and the Republic of Moldova. The opportunity for the representatives of the creative industries aims at supporting their professional development by stimulating intercultural dialogue and knowledge-exchange.

through internships, study visits, conferences, and other relevant activities abroad.

With the mobility grants, artists and cultural professionals can expand their experiences

More here: https://cutt.ly/3wDg6mQ2

EU4Culture is a four-year project funded by the European Union to support the culture and creative sector with a special focus on non-capital cities and towns in the Eastern Partnership countries. The project is implemented by Goethe-Institut (Lead), Czech

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Representatives of creative industries, aged 18 or above, from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and the Republic of Moldova, are eligible to apply for the mobility grant.

The deadline for applications is 16 February, 2024, at 23:59 CET.

Centers, Danish Cultural Institute and Institut Français de Géorgie. Since its inception, EU4Culture has launched three mobility grant calls, supporting the mobility projects of 295 individuals.

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Over 700 people saw the films screened during the European Film Month 2023 in Chișinău During the European Film Month 2023 in Chișinău, organised in November, 6 feature films and 5 short films were screened - all participating or awarded at world-renowned International Film Festivals, including the Cannes International Film Festival. The projected films included:

The French dramatic thriller Anatomy of a Fall, directed by Justine Trieu, won the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

The film is based on a screenplay by Justine Trieu and Arthur Harari. Actress Sandra Hüller played the role of a writer accused of her husband’s death, who is trying to prove her innocence.

The Spanish drama 20,000 Species of Bees was directed by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren.

She also wrote the script for the film. The film won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2023. This is the Spanish director’s debut feature film and tells the story of eight-yearold Lucia, who is trying to define her identity.

The role of the main character in this film was played by Sofia Otero. At the age of nine, the girl managed to win the prize for best actress at the Berlinale.

The Georgian film Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry was awarded the Best Film Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2023.

The full-length feature film, directed by Elene Naveriani, introduces viewers to the story of 48-year-old Etero from a remote Georgian village. A woman tries to find her way to happiness despite the prejudices of society.

Lithuanian director Maria Kavtaradze’s romantic drama Slow won the Directing Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

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The script for the film was written by Maria Kavtaradze herself. The love story of dancer Elena and sign language interpreter Dovydas unfolds on the screen in front of the audience.

Their couple’s relationship debunks stereotypes and society’s conventional ideas about what should happen between lovers.

Romanian director Radu Jude’s film “Nu aștepta prea mult de la sfârșitul lumii” received the Special Jury Prize at the 2023 Locarno Film Festival. The script for the joint Romanian-Croatian-French-Luxembourg film was written by Radu Jude himself. The main role in this black comedy was played

by Ilinca Manolache. Her character is an employee of a multinational company who has to find heroes for a short promotional video about workplace safety in Bucharest.

Overall, during the European Film Month in Chișinău, 6 full-length and 5 short films were screened. All of them participated in or were awarded at world-famous International Film Festivals, including the Cannes International Film Festival (“Anatomy of a Fall” by Justine Triet), the Berlinale (“20,000 Species of

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Bees” by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren), the Sarajevo Film Festival (“Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry” by Elene Naveriani) and the Sundance Film Festival (“Slow” by Marija Kavtaradze).

More than 700 people saw the films during the month. The movies were screened in the original language, with Romanian or English subtitles, and all the seats were booked a few days before the screening.

The European Film Month is one of the most important cinematographic events in Europe, which took place for the first time in Chișinău, simultaneously with more than 45 other cities from all over Europe, with the support of the European Film Academy.

Everyone who watched the films in Chișinău is invited to share their impressions in an online survey on the following link.

The European Film Month 2023 in Chișinău was initiated by the National Cinematography Center and organized with the financial support of the European Union by the Main Information Center of the EU in Moldova, Europe Café.

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Improving critical thinking among youth through media literacy games Interactive games have become a powerful tool to increase media literacy among individuals, especially young people.

The Supporting Independent Media and Information Resilience (SIMIR) in Moldova partners, Superlike and Centrul Media pentru Tineri (CMT), involved hundreds of children and teenagers with interactive games to develop their ability to think critically and identify accurate information.

Moldova, like many other countries, faces challenges related to media manipulation,

Among the six awarded grantees were Superlike and CMT, which focused on engaging youth in interactive activities to learn about the media environment and how to navigate it efficiently and safely. Their respective initiatives - updating the media literacy board game Media Jungle (Superlike)

disinformation, and propaganda. Media games can serve as a valuable tool to counteract propaganda and increase media literacy among the population. Between November 2022 and September 2023, the European Union-funded SIMIR project conducted the “Communities Respond to Disinformation” Grants Program, which supported community activities that help the public improve their critical thinking skills and abilities in identifying disinformation or propaganda.

and the media literacy educational game Media Quiz (CMT) - covered all 32 districts of the Republic of Moldova through 70 game sessions conducted in regional schools, in both Romanian and Russian languages.

One of the primary benefits of interactive games like Media Jungle and Media Quiz is

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

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their ability to engage users in the learning process actively. Rather than passively consuming information, players become active participants, making decisions, solving problems, and exploring virtual environments. This interactivity promotes a hands-on learning experience that can significantly enhance media literacy.

“Media Jungle is a game that captured my attention and sparked my curiosity to learn new things. My first impression of the game was very positive. The game addresses a wide range of questions related to various social media platforms, messaging apps, and media propaganda. Throughout the game, I learned many things about applications, manipulation, and fake news. Media Jungle taught us to be critical, responsible, and aware of the influence of media on us and society.

Through the Media Jungle game, we have an interactive and fun way to explore topics such as misinformation and information manipulation,”

“I imagined Media Quiz like a ‘What? Where?

When?’ [a popular TV game] where we have to answer questions about media education, and the game part ‘Who Stole the Billion?’ is a unique experience, full of interesting quests combined with media education knowledge.

I was impressed by the mentors during the training and the ways they managed to capture my attention throughout the instruction!

Thank you, CMT, for the productive two and a half hours! Looking forward to more,” said a participant at the Media Quiz.

In total, 1,333 children and teens, including 874 girls and 459 boys participated in the game sessions, expressing their motivation to learn more about the implications and effects of media.

said Victoria Gubciac, Media Jungle Ambassador.

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National campaign dedicated to Erasmus+ Information Days started in December 2023 Erasmus+, the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport, launched on November 28 the new call for proposals 2024, with a total budget of 4.3 billion euro available for the coming year, including projects with the participation of institutions from Republic of Moldova.

In the light of this launch, between December 2023 and February 2024, the National Erasmus+ Office in Moldova, in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of Education and Research, organises the National information campaign on the new call and opportunities of the Erasmus+ programme for institutions and individuals interested from Moldova.

The first information sessions were organized as follows:

from vocational education and training institutions, at the Center for Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy "Raisa Pacalo".

» December 14, 2023 - national information session for academics, at the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova. » December 19, 2023 - national information session for representatives

» December 20, 2023 - national information session for students, at the "Nicolae Testemițanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

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During the three info days, presentations and discussions about international credit mobility, capacity building in the field of higher education and vocational education and training, about Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters and Jean Monnet projects were offered by the National Erasmus+ Office of Moldova representatives and by the beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ programme.

The event was addressed to representatives of public or private institutions, active in the field of education, training, youth and sport who are interested in applying for funding under Erasmus+, to students and young people, but also to all people willing to learn more about the programme. In total, more than 200 people participated in the three information sessions of the Erasmus+ National Office in December.

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The Erasmus+ programme is an example of the positive impact of European integration and international mobility, enriching the lives of almost 4 million people in the period 2014-2020. The budget of the new Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027 is 26.2 billion euro, compared to 14.7 billion euro for the previous period 2014-2020. It is supplemented with approximately 2.2 billion euro from the external instruments of the European Union.

The new Erasmus+ Programme opens international opportunities for over 12 million people. In the period 2014-2023, educational institutions from the Republic of Moldova have already managed to implement: around 4300 Erasmus+ academic mobilities between universities from the Republic of Moldova and EU, 30 capacity building projects in higher education, 31 Jean Monnet projects and 5 capacity building projects in the field of vocational education and training.

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European Union support geared towards community development and social responsibility, under EU4Accountability Citizens, civil society organisations and local authorities in the 10 districts are fully benefiting from the results of the EU4Accountability project and already have joint plans for the development of their localities for the coming year.

In the November-December period, several other projects reached their targets and highlighted achieved results within engaged communities.

AO "Dezvoltare prin Implicare" supported the actions of the local coalition of NGOs in Cimișlia for civil society development, set up a special space and improved collaboration and effective communication with LPAs.

The citizens of Straseni municipality now benefit from an Information Centre equipped with office equipment, thanks to the AO "Băștinașii din Strășeni". The creation of a specially equipped space arose from the need of the inhabitants to quickly access information and benefit from various services, to have a space for meetings and activities for young people, including refugees, to strengthen civil society skills and civic involvement.

The recently launched Civic HUB is a space designed and intended for CSO activities, which will coordinate the implementation of the recently developed Civil Society Development Strategy. First results include

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the organisation of a competition of innovative initiatives and solutions to local problems with the participation of young people from Cimișlia.

AO "PROSPECT" has contributed to transparency and monitoring of public policies in the city of Cimișlia and the village of Selemet. Now both localities have meeting rooms equipped with audio-video equipment to involve more citizens and increase the accountability of public authorities.

The AO "Centrul Multifuncțional de Educație, Informare și Cultură" in the city of Telenești organised the "School of Community Leaders", a project dedicated exclusively to young people, which created opportunities for them to learn about good governance, participatory budgeting and advocacy, as well as how to organise public hearings.

Students also identified community issues and learned how to develop projects and mobilise the community. The study visit to the Volunteer Centre in the city of Balti allowed them to exchange ideas with their peers and learn best practices for implementing social initiatives.

The localities of Chițcanii-Vechi and Negureni in Telenești district have a strategic vision of development, thanks to the “PRO BONO” Information and Resource Centre, representatives of local authorities, active citizens and representatives of educational institutions benefited from a series of trainings aimed at increasing transparency and involvement in the decision-making process. Through the active involvement of citizens, Community Development Strategies were developed for each locality.

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These documents aim to have an impact on socio-economic development, define priorities and mechanisms for action and ensure a transparent process of local governance.

AO "Eternitate" organised a conference in Fălești district which highlighted the crucial role of participatory budgeting in addressing the needs of the community, where financial resources are often limited. The implemented project brought significant benefits, such as active involvement of citizens in community life, strengthening social cohesion and sustainable development through innovative projects. Concrete projects have been successfully implemented, such as the installation of ballot boxes and car stations.

For the first time, the Civil Society Forum was held in Glodeni district - an event organized by AO ”Solidarii Neamului” and the member associations of the Glodeni District Participation Council, AO Băștinașilor Ciuciulea - Vatra de Dor, AO Neemia, AO ”Balatina”, AO ”Terra Gold”.

The local partners aimed to strengthen the network of the associative sector in Glodeni district, in order to develop a constructive dialogue between civil society and the first and second level public authorities. The creation of a platform to explore topics of common interest and vital importance to the community was also paramount. The 50 participants in the forum addressed topics such as: the application of European policies in relation to the non-governmental sector, positive practices in the development of the voluntary sector and LPA-NGO partnerships and their role in local development.

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AO ”Solidarii Neamului” from Glodeni organised a study visit to Soroca with the aim of exchanging practices on local governance issues. Good practices were shared on the implementation of investment projects, development of social services created by the association, visiting these services, successes, challenges and lessons learned during the activities.

AO ”ActiveWomen” participated in the District Participation Council in Cahul to discuss Local Partnerships for Good Governance; Equality and Diversity in Partnership Building and EU Support for Good Governance, among other topics. In addition, the Association set up information boards in Zîrnești commune.

AO ”Terra Gold” from Glodeni, organised an exchange visit that took place in Trebujeni, Orhei, where a group of students from the ,,Dimitrie Cantemir" High School from ,,Dimitrie Cantemir", Orhei. During the visit, the students discussed their activities in the institution and their involvement in society.

Thanks to the project, the Association of the Natives Ciuciulea - Vatra de Dor, has increased access to information for people with disabilities by adding plugins on the website of the town hall to facilitate the reading of information by people with visual and hearing impairments.

AO ”Cutezatorul” organized public hearings on the draft budget of Falesti district for 2024, organized by Falesti District Council.

Previously, the association organized in Taxobeni, Falesti, a seminar for representatives of LPAs and civil society on participatory budgeting and presented the experience of Falesti City Hall in organizing and conducting the participatory budgeting process, construction and launch, with the support of citizens and the project.

AO ”Bizim Geleceemiz” successfully hosted the project summary conference. As a result of the development of the project, a cooperation agreement between the NGO and the Municipality of Svetliy was signed, and the Institutional Development Strategy of BIZIM GELECEEMIZ SA for the period 2023-2027 was elaborated.

The project also launched a ‘Good Practice Guide’ on good governance and participatory budgeting at local level, developed by AO Caroma Nord, which explains and exemplifies the role of direct and indirect participants in the governance process, the essence of good governance, examples of good practices of the governance process, legal aspects necessary for the implementation of participatory budgeting process at LPA level, social accountability and the importance of community actors in local development.

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EU4Accountability runs from 2022-2024, is funded by the European Union, and is implemented by a consortium of three organisations: European Association for Local Democracy, European Partnership for

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Democracy and People in Need Moldova, extends to 10 districts (Cahul, Comrat, Cimișlia, Falesti, Florești, Glodeni, Rîșcani, Strășeni, Ștefan Vodă, Telenești) and provides for a total budget of EUR 1.6 million.

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Takeover Day 2023: extended campaign at district level in Strășeni "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

- this is the question we get from adults from childhood until we graduate from school. In order to make young people's choice easier, the Takeover Day campaign was organised with the financial support of the European Union. The campaign was conducted at national and regional level.

For the national level of the campaign, about 50 students from 25 schools across the country took the road to the capital. For a day, they teamed up with diplomats, journalists, police, psychologists, lawyers, IT consultants and other specialists. On Takeover Day, the doors of institutions such as the Parliament and Government of the Republic of Moldova, the European Union Delegation office, the Terre des hommes Moldova office, the "Ștefan cel Mare" Academy, lawyers' offices, newsrooms among other were opened to students.

Sabrina Deleanu is in the 9th grade and Sanda Țvigun and Dumitru Rău are in the 12th grade. The three of them come from different districts, but are united by the passion for diplomacy. During the campaign, they were mentored by the European Union Ambassador in Chișinău, Jānis Mažeiks.

They attended events where the Ambassador gave speeches and were inspired by the experience shared by the official.

"During the visit I understood the essence of the job of a diplomat. If you want to get results, this job involves a lot of work. I am grateful to the campaign because I met impeccable people", said Sanda, who came from the village of Tătănari, Căușeni district.

Regionally, Takeover Day involved around 700 students. The students had the chance to try and evaluate the most desired professions. Some of them didn’t pass the test, others were strongly reconfirmed. This is the case of Dumitru Coșolan, a 9th grader from Codreanca, Strășeni district. He has a passion for medicine since childhood, psychology being his favourite discipline.

"I realized that the profession of psychologist is just as I had sketched it in my imagination.

I'm more determined than ever, I want to become a psychologist!" said the young man at the end of the campaign.

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Regionally, Takeover Day involved around 700 students. The students had the chance to try and evaluate the most desired professions. Some of them didn’t pass the test, others were strongly reconfirmed. This is the case of Dumitru Coșolan, a 9th grader from Codreanca, Strășeni district. He has a passion for medicine since childhood, psychology being his favourite discipline.

"I realized that the profession of psychologist is just as I had sketched it in my imagination.

I'm more determined than ever, I want to become a psychologist!" said the young man at the end of the campaign.

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On the other hand, the usefulness of the campaign is also noted by the mentors and teachers who guided the students. "I'm really happy to have contributed to building a safer future for children in the city. I tried to give them a little bit of the training I do for the company employees, details as how to lead a team, how to be a leader, what are the tasks and how the work is organized", said Octavian Macarenco, plant manager at "ConTeyor" from Căușeni.

Inspired by the previous year's practice, the local authorities in Strășeni extended the concept to all schools in the district. Thus, in addition to the seven schools from Strășeni that are part of the “Joboteca” project, education officials have also involved students from 19 other schools. In total, around 800 young people picked up the baton from the district's professionals.

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Takeover Day took place between 20 and 30 November in five districts of the country for the second consecutive year as part of the project "JOBOTECA - Pilot Program for Preparing Young People in Moldova for the Labor Market", funded by the European Union and implemented by Terre des hommes

Moldova Foundation. The campaign gives 9th – 12th grade students the opportunity to test their desired profession for one day, under the mentoring of specialists, in order to identify the right profession for their future.

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CahulActiv platform launched with the EU support – provides residents in the South with easy tools to plan cultural and sporting activities Residents of the Cahul municipality, who are looking for a cultural event or an extracurricular activity for children, can find such information at www.cahulactiv. md. The online platform centralizes and promotes activities for all age groups in the southern region of the country.

This encompasses a variety of offerings including art circles, interest clubs, dance, music and sports.

"We are in the midst of the launch process, and the next development stages are already planned to optimize the digitization process.

Undoubtedly, we already have a centralized platform that will not only save time for parents and children by providing information about all extracurricular activities in one place, but will also act as a catalyst for promoting each activity individually," said Nadejda Cudobețchi, the project coordinator.

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Among the activities included on the platform are accordion lessons, fine arts, basketball, boxing, singing, guitar, classical, pop, popular or modern dance, ecology, gymnastics, etc.

The offers were proposed by seven institutions from Cahul: the Cahul Palace of Culture, the "Luceafărul" Creative Center, the "M. Cebotari" Music School, the Visual Arts School, the Sports School no. 1, Sports school no. 2 and Weightlifting School.

"We want to become the main online destination for the interaction between the organizers and the local community, we aim to encourage an active lifestyle, stimulate social participation and build a united community",

Currently, among the 43 sports circles and sections, the Mâini Dibace "Hobby Boom" Circle, the Boxing section and the JudoSambo section are available for registration.

In the future, the developers aim to expand the catalogue of activities with all the offers in the municipality of Cahul, including private clubs and academies. Enrolment applications can be submitted online.

The www.cahulactiv.md platform was developed within the Digital Impact Program: Focus on Cahul, carried out by Startup Moldova, with financial support from the EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul project, implemented by ATIC and financed by the European Union in partnership with Sweden and co-financed by the Cahul City Hall.

Nadejda Cudobețchi stated.

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Cinematic symphony “Odyssey MD” in its first screening in Chișinău On 15 November 2023, the first screening of the film “Odyssey MD” took place. In front of a limited audience, the protagonist of the film was presented—Moldova, the homeland of director Pavel Brăila. The documentary portrays the chronicle of daily life throughout the four seasons across the entire country, without narration.

"Odyssey MD is a cinematic symphony, an essay, a journey in which the camera monitors how life unfolds in different locations, cities, and villages along both banks of the Nistru River," says Pavel Brăila, the director of the documentary.

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The motivation to make this film grew a few years ago when Pavel was working in the National Archive and discovered that in the last three decades, there have been no visual updates regarding life in Moldovan cities and villages. Up until 1986, documentation had been carried out periodically. Thus, a lot of filmed materials could easily be found, ranging from the daily lives of people to solemn events, etc.

"The first idea that came to my mind was that in over 100 years, if someone wants to find something about Moldova, that person will find nothing, and I realised that the city where I live is, in fact, a black hole," says Pavel. This convinced him to start working on “Odyssey MD”.

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In 2020, the director received a grant of over 47,000 euros under the EU Confidence Measures Building Programme, implemented

by UNDP. The shootings took place in 2020 and 2021 in over 100 locations on both banks of the Nistru River. After the post-production stage, the documentary was presented at several international festivals, including Krakow Film-Fest (Best Pitch Prize), Leipzig Filmfest 2022, Where East Meets West Trieste Filmfest 2023 and Thessaloniki Film Fest 2023.

The documentary “Odyssey MD” is set to be presented to the general public in 2024.

The Confidence Building Measures Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, contributes to building trust between residents on both banks of the Nistru River by involving them in common development projects.

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STRONGER SOCIETY The challenges and priorities of the Republic of Moldova in justice, social and economic areas discussed with the media representatives in the context of the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union The Independent Think-Tank "Expert-Grup" in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation Moldova held on Monday, November 13, the press club "The European Commission recommended the opening of accession negotiations by the Republic of Moldova with the European Union - what's

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next?" The purpose of the press club was to debate with media representatives the next steps and the main reform priorities and challenges in the fields of justice, economy and social, in the context of the recommendations announced by the European Commission for the opening of accession negotiations by the Republic of Moldova with the Union European.

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The executive director of IPRE, Iulian Groza, mentioned the fact that the Republic of Moldova receives quite good signals from the European Union, given that it does not have any bilateral issues to resolve with any EU state. However, the decision of the European Council regarding the launch of negotiations will be based on the analysis of the European Commission. In this context, also emphasizing the fact that the principle of the enlargement process of the European Union establishes that the assessment or progress in accession of a candidate country is based on the principle of merit, that is, it will be an individual assessment of each candidate country.

Regarding the main challenges and priorities in the field of justice, Iulian Groza, the director of IPRE, pointed out that there are 2 critical indicators that can be found in the European Commission's report, the first one refers to the extraordinary evaluation procedure-vetting, and here the reference is to ensure sufficient progress on the results of the vetting exercise in the case of the evaluation and appointment of future judges of the Supreme Court of Justice, by March

there should be a concrete evolution in the evaluation of future judges in the new reformed SCJ. A second criterion will be the nomination of the future attorney general.

These are 2 basic elements in the field of justice that are highlighted by the European Commission, and if we make progress on these indicators, then the Commission will consider this measure fulfilled.

The discussions within the press club reiterated the need to promptly address these challenges to ensure a successful accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union.

The press club took place within the "Civil Society for European Integration" Project, financed by the European Union and cofinanced by the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation, which is implemented by the Expert-Grup Independent Think Tank as the lead partner, in partnership with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, AO Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation Moldova.

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EUROSFAT 2023: European Parliamentary Groups support Moldova’s accession to the European Union Moldova’s European aspirations will continue to be supported by the European parliamentary groups and the speed of our country’s accession to the EU depends on the pace of the reforms that will be carried out in the future. Today, Moldova’s European course is guaranteed, and at this pace, in a few years our country will be ready to join the big European family. These are the main conclusions of the largest Romanian forum on European affairs – EUROSFAT, which was held for the first time on 28 November in Chişinău.

The event brought together on one platform European officials, as well as experts from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, who addressed the most pressing issues related to the implementation of the reforms necessary for Moldova’s accession to the EU and the preservation of European values through good governance, democracy and the rule of law.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament: “I am proud that the European Parliament played a role in this by being the first EU institution to call for candidate status for Moldova and Ukraine. Of course, each candidate country must follow its own path to EU accession, but Moldova has already made huge progress by initiating reforms in justice, in the fight against corruption and in its electoral law. Civil society participation in decisionmaking has increased and the protection of human rights has been strengthened. Even in the most difficult times, President Sandu, Prime Minister Recean and Parliament Speaker Grosu remained steadfast in their commitment to Moldova’s European course.

I am convinced that Moldova is on the right path. The European Parliament will continue to play its role.”

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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission: “Moldova is not facing a kinetic war, but Moldova is the subject of constant destabilisation efforts against its democracy.

It also suffers the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Moldova is welcoming a large number of Ukrainian refugees. Moldova is facing disruptions and blackmail related to its energy system. But like Ukraine, Moldova has undertaken significant reform efforts, for example in the area of the judiciary. It has stepped up considerably the investigative work related to corruption and organised crime. Some remaining measures have to be finished. On this basis, here too, the Council could then finalise the negotiating framework.

And the Commission will report on the progress to the Council by March 2024.”

At the forum, during the panel discussions, the guests focused on the progress made by Moldova, more than a year after obtaining the status of EU candidate country, in terms of the implementation of 9 recommendations of the European Commission, regional cooperation with the member states on Moldova’s EU accession path, as well as regional development projects between Moldova and Romania.

Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova: “The European Commission has recently proposed to the Council to start EU accession negotiations. This is a new chapter in the relationship between the EU and Moldova, and I firmly believe in the beginning of the transformation of Moldovan society on the path to EU membership.

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The enlargement process is not just about becoming an EU member, it is about society becoming European, adopting the values, practices and standards of the European Union in all spheres of activity, including business. Encouragingly, this process does not have to be started from scratch. There is a considerable amount of knowledge and experience already accumulated by the current candidate countries and EU member states.”

MEP Siegfried Muresan, head of the European Parliament’s delegation to Moldova, said that, due to the fact that the country is currently led by credible politicians, Moldova enjoys the full support of the European parliamentary groups in all the development fields.

Siegfried Mureșan, Member of the European Parliament, EPP Group:

for years of delays. The integration process is perhaps taking longer than we would like, but the direction is clear: a lot has been done in recent years, especially in the area of justice reform. All European parliamentary groups support Moldova’s accession to the EU. Confirmation and speed of accession depends on the pace of reforms, and if there are credible pro-European politicians at the

“Moldova’s European course is guaranteed, because in recent years we managed to do together what we did not think possible, and much faster than other countries that joined the European Union. The European Commission’s nine recommendations have been implemented favourably, making up

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helm of Moldova in the coming years, I think these negotiations could go faster and more support for people, for business could be obtained. Next year’s elections in Moldova are of great importance, because only a credible politician can achieve something from his partners. You have demonstrated that you are acting in support of European values and this has been noticed at the European level.”

The EUROSFAT Forum also brought into focus topics related to energy, cyber and environmental security in the current political context, Moldova’s resilience to future challenges, as well as topics related to the country’s economic development, such as ensuring a favourable macro-financial environment and combating the informal economy.

Mihai Popșoi, Vice-President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova:

We know that the negotiation process, which we hope to start as soon as possible, will be difficult and complex, but thanks to the mobilisation of every citizen, every member of civil society and every government representative, we will be able to make the most of this unique opportunity, this credit of trust.”

“I am glad that in its eleventh year of existence EUROSFAT has crossed the Prut, it was about time. On behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, formerly known as the Council of the Country, I would like to welcome you! The cause of European integration is a common cause. It is the cause of every citizen of the Republic of Moldova and, fortunately, it is also the cause of our friends and brothers in Romania and many other friends throughout the European Union.

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Elena Vacarciuc, Executive Director, Soros Foundation Moldova: “Alignment with European standards not only stimulates economic growth but also strengthens democratic values, the rule of law and human rights in our country. The interchange of ideas within the European Union promotes sustainable development and participatory governance, contributing to the enhancement of cultural diversity.

Moldova’s unique heritage will enrich the diversity of the European Union, contributing to mutual understanding and unity. However, challenges lie ahead. Appropriate reforms are needed, especially in the judiciary and public administration, to meet EU standards and ensure sustainable development.”

Tana Foarfă, Executive Director, Europuls “We had, in fact, not just a forum, but rather a marathon of discussions, because we are “celebrating” 10 hours of debates about the European Union.

We had with us more than 200 people who came to discuss with the Moldovan ministers, to listen to the speeches of the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission, the chief prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as other experts from Romania and Brussels, who wanted to crystallise together this ideal triangle between Brussels, Chişinău and Bucharest in which to discuss the EU.”

In addition to the event in Chişinău, the EUROSFAT 2023 forum was held on 27-30 November in Ungheni, Ceadîr-Lunga and Bălți. The event entitled “European Union and New Horizons” was organised by the Centre for European Expertise “Europuls” from Romania and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” from Moldova, with the financial support of the Soros Foundation Moldova, the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

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DonezAlimente.md: a digital solution, developed with the EU assistance, to support social services and reduce food waste An innovative project was officially launched in Chișinău on 14 November, marking the introduction of the online platform DonezAlimente.md. Developed by the Food Bank of Moldova with financial support from the European Union, the platform

introduces an innovative digital initiative aimed at streamlining the logistical process of recovering food from economic agents in the agri-food chain and redistributing it to social canteen services and other social programs where food is provided.

"We are deeply grateful to our partners from Lublin for this exchange of experience. These days were extremely dynamic, with essential recommendations for the development of a more advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly public transport system, one that successfully meets the needs of travellers and significantly contributes to improving the quality of life in the city.

"The DonezAlimente.md platform was created to connect those in need with those who can offer support. In doing so, we contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society.

Simultaneously, we actively contribute to fostering a culture of solidarity to reduce food waste.

The European Union supports the Food Bank's efforts because it promotes respect for food and recognizes the value of the work carried out by those who grow, prepare, and distribute food. Recovering consumable food helps minimize food waste. Such a mechanism is widely implemented in the European Union and has recently gained momentum in the Republic of Moldova. We welcome this development,"

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stated Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

Only food donors and organisations providing social services can register as users on the platform. Information regarding the quantities of available food is accessible only to users and the Food Bank team.

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"For social services, the platform serves as a tool to facilitate access to free food in the regions where they operate, enabling more people in need to benefit from a hot meal," explained Ludmila Malcoci, Executive Director of Keystone Moldova.

Over the past year the Food Bank of Moldova has successfully recovered approximately 90 tons of food, which has been distributed to 39 social services. Within these social services, over 5,000 people have benefited from the recovered food.

The launch event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, the project team, Food Bank donors, and representatives from the Moldovan media.

This initiative was carried out as part of the project "Partnerships for Inclusive and Sustainable Social Canteen Services," funded by the European Union, co-financed, and implemented by I.P. "Keystone Moldova," A.O. "Concordia. Social Projects," and I.R.M.S. "Diaconia."

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European Union and UNFPA Grant Programme empowers local organisations to scale up gender-based violence prevention Five women-led organisations have successfully expanded their genderbased violence (GBV) prevention initiatives through a Grant Programme supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Gender Center NGO. The programs primarily aimed at fostering social cohesion between refugees and host families, while also raising awareness about gender-based violence and the available services for refugees and host communities.

Women-led organizations played a crucial role in responding to the initial stages of the refugee crisis, reaching women and girls in the most remote and vulnerable locations. The five women-led organizations, namely NGOs Afina, Women for Contemporary Society, Baștina Frăsinești, Association for Human Rights Lex XXI, and Pro Cimișlia, are all part of the Gender Platform Association, with the mission of promoting gender equality in the Republic of Moldova.

Over the past six months, these organizations have reached more than 7,400 women and girls through nearly 300 sessions, consultations, and culturaleducational activities. The focus has been on facilitating the integration of refugee women into the community, serving as a platform to address the sensitive issue of gender-based violence.

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Irina Jukova, a refugee from Ukraine accommodated in Bălți, shared her experience: „During the sessions, we ask a legal expert about what interests us, and he tells us how to ensure temporary protection, what we need, and what rights we have. We had discussions about family violence: financial, physical, in various forms. Here in Moldova, we looked at family violence issues differently”.

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To provide quality support to refugees, almost a thousand representatives from the state and civil society have benefited from training aimed at preventing gender-based violence and human trafficking.

The Grant Programme was facilitated within the framework of the program „Improving access to life-saving Health and Gender-

based Violence response services for Ukrainian Refugees and vulnerable host communities”, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Republic of Moldova and funded by the European Union.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/XVJ8IRyaK_E

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9 maternity hospitals in the country received modern ambulances provided with the support of the European Union The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) with the financial support of the European Union made a significant donation to improve the perinatal care system in the Republic of Moldova.

The donation includes 9 new Type A ambulances, equipped with highperformance equipment, for the planned transport of patients from district maternity hospitals to hospitals in Chișinău.

The ambulances were delivered by UNFPA Moldova to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and distributed to the perinatal centers of the following institutions: Mother and Child Institute, Municipal Clinical Hospital No. 1 „Gheorghe

Paladi” in Chișinău, Bălți Clinical Hospital, Edineț District Hospital, Căușeni District Hospital, Ungheni District Hospital, Orhei District Hospital, Soroca District Hospital, Ceadîr-Lunga District Hospital.

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The donation of ambulances, worth US $586,000, was made possible thanks to the financial support of UNFPA and

the European Union, and is part of the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis.

The main purpose of this donation is to ensure access to quality services for mothers and babies throughout the country.

women at risk of complications and premature birth, resulting in improved patient health by ensuring rapid access to specialized care and efficient use of existing resources.

The donation of ambulances will facilitate fast transfer to specialized centers for

More details – on UNFPA Moldova.

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Equal access for Roma to adequate and desegregated housing – key topic addressed at the European Platform for Roma Inclusion The 16th edition of European Platform for Roma Inclusion, jointly organised by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, was held on 30 November in Madrid.

The European Platform for the Inclusion of the Roma is an annual exercise by the member countries of the European Union

The EU Strategic Framework on Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 20202030 sets quantitative objectives that member states must achieve by 2030, such as: reducing by at least one third the gap such as lack of housing for Roma, reducing overcrowded housing, etc., being also the subject of the EU Roma Platform in the current year (2023), considering that access to housing and accommodation is considered a fundamental right.

In the context of the connection of existing problems but also of political factors, the representatives of the European Commission, members of the European Parliament, civil

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which measures the degree of achievement of the social, economic, cultural, etc. integration policies toward Roma in the member countries as well as the challenges faced by the authorities in the realization of these national strategies. The interaction with the representatives of different member countries helps them to exchange experience but also to present the best practices in the field.

society, discussed the ways of efficient use of EU funds and national funds to allow Roma equal access to various services.

Funding is an essential precondition for improving housing conditions and ending segregation resulting from discrimination, anti-Roma attitudes and social exclusion of many Roma across the European Union.

The meeting involved the government’s National Roma Contact Points and Civil Society from Member States and enlargement countries. For the first time, after receiving in June 2022 the status of “candidate countries”, representatives from both Ukraine and Moldova also participated

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in the EU Roma Platform and shared experiences on Roma inclusion.

The EU funded project: “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement and enhancement of the legal approximation process” provided support for the participation at the event of two representatives of the Republic of Moldova

form the Agency for Inter-ethnic Relations and specialized civil society organizations, Nicolae Rădiță and Marin Alla.

The MD representatives who participated in the event are expected to coordinate the development of the national Roma strategy with the authority and its implementation at national level.

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European standards on hate speech and hate crimes at the centre of training for legal professionals in the Republic of Moldova Legal professionals from judicial institutions in the Republic of Moldova enhanced their knowledge and understanding of European standards on hate speech and hate crimes through a tailor-made training session, organised in cooperation with the National Institute of Justice, on 23 – 24 November 2023. The scope of the activity is relevant to the work of these professionals, ensuring better access to justice for the citizens of the country.

The need for more training opportunities, while maintaining an open dialogue and cooperation between actors dealing with hate speech, hate crimes and discrimination was highlighted during this event by the participants.

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An overview of legal practices when investigating cases of hate speech and hate crimes was provided during the training.

Exchanges between participants provided the opportunity to discuss improvement methods of judicial redress in the Republic of Moldova, in line with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, the recent Recommendation of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers on combating hate speech and other relevant standards in the field.

This event is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, cofunded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.

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Joining efforts for a better protection of victims of discrimination in the Republic of Moldova The workshop “Practical aspects of investigating cases of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”, held on 13 November 2023, gathered representatives of the General Police Inspectorate and the Equality Council enabling further exchange about institutional proceeding of cases of discrimination.

The event was organised as follow up to a previous meeting where a necessity to address the practical aspects of examining, qualifying and documenting cases of discrimination, hate speech/hate crimes was recognised as a priority. Accordingly, the sessions in the programme covered internal procedures of law enforcement institutions, the competencies and practices in handling discrimination cases, as well methods of strengthening the cooperation between the General Police Inspectorate and Equality Council, for a better protection of victims of discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes.

Participants of the event were police officers, including the trainers on discrimination and equality and representatives of Police Directorates and Inspectorates from the Northern, Central and Southern regions of the country, as well as the Equality Council representatives. As an important outcome of this activity, a platform for dialogue and further cooperation was created among Police and the Equality Council, for maintaining cooperation on preventing and combating discrimination.

Representatives of above-mentioned institutions expressed their commitment to actively engage in joint awareness actions to combat discrimination, hate speech and bias-motivated offences in the Republic of Moldova, including at the local level. The importance of continuing and increasing cooperation among all relevant actors was highlighted, for the ultimate goal of a better protection of victims of discrimination, especially those from vulnerable groups in the Republic of Moldova.

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This event is organized as a synergy of the project Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Partnership for Good Governance, “co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe,

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and the Council of Europe Project ”Enhancing diversity and equality in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova for 2021-2024 and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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Improving the processing of cases of hate speech appearing in the media in the Republic of Moldova Monitors of the Audiovisual Council, the media national regulatory authority of the Republic of Moldova, improve their capacities on the application of a standard methodology for assessing and processing hate speech in audio-visual media through four practical training sessions.

The sessions, held in December 2023, were organised as a follow up to the development of the guide on “Combating hate speech in the media in the Republic of Moldova”, which

Participants to the training sessions discussed the challenges faced in identifying hate speech cases in the local context and proposed additional improvements in monitoring practices, in line with European standards.

served as basis to adopt a methodology for monitoring hate speech as endorsed by the Audiovisual Council.

With these training sessions, further steps were made with a focus on practical exercises simulating the application of this methodological tool, relying on the caselaw of the European Court of Human Rights and examples of good practices from other European countries.

This event is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, cofunded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.

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Training legal professionals to combat discrimination on religious, ethnic and linguistic grounds in the Republic of Moldova Legal professionals, including judges, prosecutors, registrars, assistants and counsellors from judicial institutions of the Republic of Moldova, were trained on the latest European and Council of Europe standards and European Court of Human Rights case law on cases of discrimination on religious, ethnic and linguistic grounds.

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe (FCNM) was presented during the training, enabling exchanges between

The local context and the efficiency of the legal remedies against discrimination on religious, ethnic, and linguistic grounds were also presented and discussed, focusing on improving the protection for minorities in the Republic of Moldova. The event highlighted the need to establish a practice of systematic discussions on the subject, to update institutions on the newest legal developments and standards regularly, and to benefit the most vulnerable segments of the society in the country.

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participants on the challenges of developing a consolidated case law. The FCNM and its Advisory Committee, regularly monitoring the implementation of the Convention in the member states, have contributed to improving the record of related reforms by prompting the adoption of new laws and encouraging states to improve their nondiscrimination legislation and practice.

Monitoring recommendations improved the dialogue between governmental agencies and national minorities.

This event, organised in December 2023, in cooperation with the National Institute of Justice, is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, cofunded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.

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Empowering female expertise within the mass media of the Republic of Moldova to achieve gender parity In a significant stride toward fostering gender inclusivity within the media landscape, the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJM) has launched a ground-breaking initiative in Chișinău. This initiative marks the unveiling of a comprehensive database featuring contacts of female experts across diverse fields such as education, healthcare, business, policy development, etc. The database, a product of collaboration within the Women Investigative Journalists Network (WIJN), encompasses information and contact details of proficient women

from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia.

This pivotal resource, the database, is now accessible to media outlets for utilization and expansion. It welcomes new entries, spotlighting individuals whose expertise holds significance for a wider audience across various domains. This open platform not only serves as a reference hub but also invites contributions to continually enrich its repository of female expertise.

The initiative is part of CIJM's broader project in collaboration with the Association of Independent Press (API), co-financed by the German Government and the European Union (EU). The overarching goal is to solidify a robust network of investigative journalists dedicated to bringing critical corruption cases to the forefront of public discourse.

A recent gathering at the Investigative Journalists Club centred on gender balance in mass media. Discussions revolved around the presence of female expertise within Moldova's press and broader considerations for achieving gender parity. Esteemed experts from anti-corruption, healthcare, education, and social protection domains graced the event, reflecting the priorities in focus.

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This activity finds support within the framework of the "Strengthening the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms in the Republic of Moldova" project. Cofunded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the project underscores the collective commitment to

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fortifying legal frameworks and combating corruption in the country.

The unveiled database, a cornerstone of inclusivity and expertise, can be accessed at www.wijunwed.com/ro. The discussions and insights shared during this event mark a significant step toward amplifying female voices and expertise within the media landscape, fostering a more balanced and inclusive narrative.

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A day centre for children with intellectual disabilities was inaugurated in Bălți with the support of the European Union and the Soros Foundation Moldova At least 60 children with intellectual disabilities, including those with autistic spectrum disorders from Balti Municipality and other localities in the north of the country will be able to use free ABA cognitive behavioural therapy services, sensory integration therapy, play therapy, and socialization within the framework of the “Balti Municipality Day Centre for Children with Intellectual Disabilities.”

The centre was developed by the “Autism Hope” Public Association with the financial support of the European Union within the “Civil Society Organizations Acting for Better Social Services” project co-financed and implemented by the Soros Foundation Moldova.

Within this project, Balti Municipality Day Centre for Children with Intellectual Disabilities was renovated and received sensory equipment. Therefore, the Centre has premises for group and individual activities, including a room for conducting ABA therapy, i.e. applied behavioural analysis therapy which is aimed at understanding and improving human behaviour and us typically used for children with autism.

Besides, the centre has a recreation room and a sensory room equipped with various types of stimuli and specialized equipment for rehabilitation of children with developmental and behavioural disorders. Sensory integration therapy

corrects, improves, and compensates for sensory integration disorders in children.

The centre will be working in the daytime and will offer activities for both children and their parents. To ensure the quality of the services, the “Autism Hope” Association organized training courses for specialists on such topics as “Sensory Systems” and “Modern Integrated Intervention Techniques for Treating Autism and Other Associated Disabilities.”

“As a community of parents with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, we were very eager to develop high-quality services focused on children’s needs right here, in our town. We have been working very hard for the last two years to achieve this purpose. While creating the Centre, we conducted information and fundraising campaigns to cover the financial needs which emerged during the project implementation.

Thus, we have convinced we have lots of friends and supporters whom we would like to thank,” Liuba Baciurin, “Autism Hope” PA Project Director and President, said at the inauguration event.

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While attending the event, Irina Beșliu, Project Manager at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, mentioned that civil society organizations create stable partnerships with the public authorities, and high-quality social services necessary for the country’s communities are created with the financial support of the European Union.

The day centre for children with intellectual disabilities in Balti is the second social service developed with the support of the European Union in Balti Municipality within the “Civil Society Organizations Acting for Better Social Services” project.

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“We are glad to see this open-minded attitude at the local level, and thus, the services developed are sustainable,” Diana Teaca, Soros Foundation Moldova representative, said.

This social service is one of the 40 services created within the “Civil Society Organizations Acting for Better Social Services” project financed by the European Union, co-financed and implemented by the Soros Foundation Moldova in partnership with the Keystone Moldova Association and the Institutum Virtutes Civilis PA.

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Unique digital art event marked the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign On November 24, UN Women, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the international community and civil society organisations, launched the

The 16-day campaign was inaugurated through an immersive digital art exhibition called "Emerging from the shadows: The Sun shouldn’t hurt." The unique event combined visual and narrative arts with technology illustrating the stories of four Moldovan and Ukrainian women of different backgrounds and ages, all affected by various types of violence, to raise awareness of the seriousness of this phenomenon and the need to take immediate action to prevent and eradicate it.

The launch event was attended by representatives of state authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector and the international community.

United Nations Secretary-General's UNiTE Campaign in support of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

"We call for sustained political commitment and greater investment in effective prevention strategies, through domestic, private and philanthropic funding, to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence against women and girls in all their diversity." mentioned Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova’s Country Representative.

Erika Hazsnos, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section of the European Union Delegation, reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting Moldova in its efforts to advance gender equality and combat violence.

“Violence harms not only the dignity and respect of women's rights; it also causes

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economic damage because it stands in the way of economic progress and poverty reduction. The European Union is committed to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Our strong message is that gender-based violence is unacceptable, and we will continue to support Moldova in its efforts to ensure respect for the rights and dignity of every person."

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The exhibition was organized by UN Women Moldova with the support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and financial support from the European Union as well as the governments of the United States, Sweden and Japan.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

INSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENT Preparations for the accession negotiations of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union Since 23 June 2022, the Republic of Moldova is one of the eight candidate countries for membership of the European Union, together with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine.

After obtaining the candidate status, the next step towards joining the European Union is the opening of accession negotiations.

The European Council decided to open the accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova on 14 December 2023.

Accession negotiations are essentially negotiations on the Accession Treaty of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. The main objective of this process is to achieve, by the end of the accession negotiations, full harmonisation of the national legal and institutional system with the legislation (the Acquis) and institutional structure of the European Union. The Treaty will contain the conditions of accession

of the Republic of Moldova, including the obligations that the Republic of Moldova will assume, as a future member state.

In order to prepare such a Treaty, negotiations are needed to define all the conditions and modalities of accession of the Republic of Moldova. Negotiations will be structured based on 35 negotiating chapters, organised in six clusters.

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In this context, at the initiative and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Legislation Harmonisation Centre of the of the State Chancellery, the EU-funded project “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement and enhancement of the legal approximation process” organised on 13-14 November 2023, a series of training for civil servants involved in the process of self-assessment of the level of harmonisation of national legislation with the EU acquis.

During the trainings, more than 500 officials of public authorities members of the 33 working groups set up by the Interinstitutional Coordination Mechanism of the European Integration Process (GD 868/2022) acquired knowledge on the accession negotiations, the importance of self-assessment for the preparation of Moldova’s position in the negotiations, as well as a better practical understanding of the working tools to be used to carry out and monitor the selfassessment exercise.

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In the course of 4 separate sessions per thematic group, Project experts Primoz Vehar and Vladimir Medjak shared valuable information about the stages leading up to the opening of accession negotiations and the ones that will follow until the negotiation of the Accession Treaty to the European Union.

At the same time, the Head of the Economic and Sector Cooperation Section, the Directorate for European Integration of the MFAEI, Ghenadie Marian, together with the experts of the Legislation Harmonisation of Legislation, Daniel Musteata and Alexandrina Bulat-Rotaru, presented to participants the methodological orientation, elaborated with the support of the Project, necessary to carry out the self-assessment process step by step and the practical aspects regarding the coordination, implementation and monitoring of the process.

The event is part of the EU Project’s activities in cooperation with Moldovan authorities aimed at preparing state institutions for future EU accession negotiations.

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New tools to streamline the planning of actions related to European Union accession process The Manual for the Costing of Public Policies and the Practitioner’s Guide for Costing of Actions Related to the EU Accession Process were unveiled during an event on 13th December 2023 with the participation of authors, representatives of public authorities, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, civil society organizations, national and international experts working in the field.

Costing is the process of estimating financial and non-financial resources required for the implementation of public policies. It serves as a crucial element in the development of action plans, acting as a benchmark for identifying funding sources in the annual and medium-term budget planning process.

Additionally, it aids in identifying solutions for funding deficits.

These two guidelines offer practical information and explain the methods to be used in estimating the costs of public policies, with a particular emphasis on the actions related to the European Union accession process. They also provide practical examples of cost estimation for specific measures frequently included in action plans, such as the preparation and adoption of normative acts, establishment

of new institutions, capacity building of existing institutions, acquisition of goods, and information campaigns, among others.

In the course of the accession process to the European Union, the Government of the Republic of Moldova is tasked with planning the transposition of the EU legislation into the national legislation, as well as its implementation.

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Hundreds of civil servants will be involved in this process, the Manual and the Guide serving as a robust foundation of expertise and a practical tool for estimating costs. They are designed to facilitate and standardize this process. Notably, these guidelines complement the training sessions that have already been attended by over 300 civil servants.

The development of these guidelines was made possible through the financial support of the European Union. They represent a collaborative effort of the team

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of national and international experts within the Technical Assistance Project " Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement and enhancement of the legal approximation process for the Republic of Moldova". This effort was undertaken in close cooperation with the State Chancellery, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Ministry of Finance. The main role in the elaboration of the guidelines belongs to Janez Šušteršič and Pavel Sârghi, experts of the project.

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Preparation for the implementation of the new Law on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products On 14 December 2023 the EU-funded project “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement (AA) and enhancement of the legal approximation process for the Republic of Moldova” in close cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, in its role as a coordinating authority, organised a

training on the implementation of the Law no. 162/2023 on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products. The new Law aims to transpose the Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products and will enter into force on 27 July 2024.

The EU Regulation was adopted in order to guarantee the free movement of compliant products within the European Union. Robust enforcement of safety requirements is essential to the proper protection of end users and to create the conditions in which fair competition in the market for goods can thrive. Rules are therefore necessary to ensure this enforcement, regardless of whether products are placed on the market via offline or online means and regardless of whether they are manufactured in the Union or not. Strengthened provisions on market surveillance authorities’ powers and measures that they can take, as well as an obligation for each member state to establish the Single liaison office, are essential to provide higher level of protection.

Representatives of the Moldovan market surveillance authorities, Customs Service and regulatory authorities were presented with the novelties of the Law regarding the economic operators’ tasks, elements of the national market surveillance programme and the need of efficient cooperation of market surveillance authorities and Customs Service. In the ensuing debate the main focus was on conflicting provisions of the new law and the Law no. 131/2012 on State Control over Entrepreneurial Activity.

Further work will be needed on providing a coherent system of market surveillance of products to be in line with the Association Agreement requirements as well as ready for the upcoming negotiation process for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union.

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New EU General Product Safety Regulation on its way of being transposed into a new primary law and a Governmental regulation One of the key requirements within the EU on the area of Free movement of goods is that only safe products are offered to consumers, regardless of the origin of the products and whether they are sold in shops or on online marketplaces. A safe product is one that provides either no risk or a minimum acceptable level of risk, considering the normal or reasonably foreseeable use of the product and the need to maintain a high level of protection for consumers.

The General Product Safety Regulation 2023/988 (GPSR) of the European Parliament and of the Council, published in the Official Journal of EU on 23 May 2023, introduces new rules which seek to address major societal changes that have affected consumer product safety in the past two decades, such as increasing digitalisation, new technological developments, and globalised supply chains. The new Regulation requires that all consumer products on the EU markets are safe and it establishes specific obligations for businesses to ensure it.

It applies to non-food products and to all sales channels. The Regulation provides a safety net for products or risks not regulated in other EU legislation. This safety net function means that EU consumers are always protected against dangerous products, be it now or in the future.

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The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, with the assistance of EUfunded project “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement (AA) and enhancement of the legal approximation process for the Republic of Moldova”, has started the activities to transpose the new EU Regulation in the form of a new primary law and a Governmental regulation. It is expected that the new law is adopted and published in the Official Journal by the end of 2024. This will enable the Republic of Moldova to further approximate with the EU legislation and will be a very positive signal in the period of starting EU accession negotiations. On the same time new law will guarantee the continued high-level protection of Moldovan consumers also in the future.

The EU-funded project “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement (AA) and enhancement of the legal approximation process for the Republic of Moldova” aims at increasing the capacities of the Moldova Government and other key national institutions in implementing the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. After Moldova’s receipt of EU Candidacy Status, the Project is ready to offer advanced assistance for strengthening the Moldovan administration to be ready for the next steps in EU integration process.

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Trainings on the new Law on Access to Information of Public Interest for public authorities and judges The new Law no. 148/2023 on Access to Information of Public Interest (LAIPI) was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova on 9 June 2023.

It will enter into force in January 2024, replacing the Law no. 982/2000 on access to information. The LAIPI introduces numerous changes relating in particular to: » Extended proactive transparency requirements (obligations on publishing information on the websites of public authorities); » Streamlining access to information upon request, including shortened deadlines for processing requests, more detailed regulation of the forms of communication of information and clear rules on imposing fees for access to information; » New model of judicial review of acts and omissions of information providers,

based on written procedure and deadline for solving the cases by the courts; » New regime on financial sanctions for information providers for violations of the right to information.

Considering the scope of changes of the legal framework there is a clear need to enhance capacities of the public authorities implementing the new law. Responding to this demand, the EU-funded project “Support for structured policy dialogue, coordination of the implementation of the Association Agreement (AA) and enhancement of the legal approximation process for the Republic of Moldova” (EU-Moldova Association Project) in cooperation with the Council of Europe initiated and conducted special training programme for public authorities and administrative judges on application of the new Law. It is accompanied by the preparation of the “Transparency Handbook.

Practical guide to the Law on Access to Information of Public Interest”.

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Trainings were held in November and December 2023 and reached over 150 representatives of public authorities and over 40 administrative judges. Tailored training programme focused especially on changes introduced by the LAIPI – proactive transparency, access to information upon request, judicial review and sanctions. One of the major topics discussed during the training sessions was processing public information requests, including format of requests; registration of requests; means of communication of information as well as fees for communication of information.

Participants demonstrated also special interest into the topic of legitimate restrictions in access to information. This includes the special regime of access information

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containing personal data or information protected under special legislation, such as state secrets, medical secrets or banking secrets.

Trainings were delivered by Professor Dawid Sześciło (Senior Non Key Expert of the EUMoldova Association Project) and Victor Kalughin (expert of the Council of Europe).

Thanks to this training series, the EUMoldova Association Project concluded its support to development and implementation of the new Law on Access to Information of Public Interest. This support started with analysis of the gaps in the previous legislation, assistance in developing the new law, and eventually capacity building of public authorities and judges.

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Alignment with the EU payment security standards in the digital era – analysed in the Republic of Moldova The main developments in the field of payment system security, best practices in the implementation of payment security measures in the digital environment, as well as the requirements for payment security and continuity of payments, benefits, efforts and progress achieved so far in the European Union (EU)-funded Twinning project “Strengthening supervision, corporate governance and risk management in the financial sector of the Republic of Moldova” were discussed at the conference “Alignment with EU payment security standards in the digital era” held in Chișinău on 6 December 2023.

The conference provided an opportunity to present key issues related to payment security, as financial transactions, particularly payments, are an essential part of economic relations. At the same time, the alignment of the Republic of Moldova with EU standards in the field of digital payment security is an important step to strengthen its position in the European and global financial landscape.

This will support the country's economic integration and contribute to the creation of a secure, innovative, and sustainable financial environment for all stakeholders.

The official part of the event was followed by a session of presentations by experts in the field, who shared best practices in digital payment security with participants.

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EUBAM Head meets with EU Council Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management Slawomir Pichor, the Head of EUBAM, met with the EU Council Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) on 22 November in Chișinău. The meeting aimed to deepen the understanding of EU support for bolstering the resilience of the Republic of Moldova.

The head of Mission gave the CivCom delegates a comprehensive overview of EUBAM’s pivotal role as a regional security and economic development supporter.

The discussions delved into the Mission’s mandate and its ongoing actions geared towards enhancing the stability and prosperity of the Republic of Moldova.

The dialogue between Slawomir Pichor and CivCom underscores the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing civilian aspects of crisis management. The meeting served as a platform for fruitful discussions on current challenges, potential opportunities, and future strategies to fortify the Republic of Moldova’s resilience.

EUBAM continues playing a crucial role in supporting the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in border management and customs, contributing to regional security and economic development. The Mission’s commitment to promoting economic development aligns seamlessly with the broader objectives of the European Union in the region.

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EUBAM highlights cross-border cooperation at a highlevel conference on customs anti-fraud, navigating shared challenges in the evolving landscape of transnational crime The conference, “Risks of Cross-Border Crime in an Open Europe – Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions,” took place in Chișinău and was collaboratively organized by the Customs Service and the European Union High Level Advisors Mission.

The event served as a strategic platform for fostering dialogue and enhancing cooperation among the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine law enforcement agencies, particularly in countering crossborder crime.

During the plenary session, Slawomir Pichor, the Head of EUBAM, underscored the pivotal importance of close collaboration among the three countries in the lower Danube region.

He emphasized that the advent of Russian aggression has brought about profound changes in criminal activities, commerce, and mutual collaboration:

“The illegal activity does not begin or end at the borders, and our main focus should be tackling those criminal groups in a coordinated manner and involving all stakeholders in setting forth an adequate response.”

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The conference comprised three-panel discussions investigating the topics of smuggling excisable goods and illegal production, illicit financial flows, cross-border trafficking of arms and dual-use goods, and drug trafficking, including drug precursors and anabolic steroids. Participants seized the opportunity to assess evolving crime trends and explore novel avenues for inter-agency cooperation to enhance joint operational actions.

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The attendees included representatives from the Moldovan Parliament and Government, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, leaders and representatives from customs, border, police, and prosecution services in the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. Additionally, the conference drew the participation of international bodies and representatives from the business environment.

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EUBAM-led Customs Coordination Group remains committed to supporting the EU-Solidarity Lanes initiative in the lower Danube region On 7 December, the EUBAM-led MD-RO-UA Customs Coordination Group gathered at the Palanca (MD) – Maiaky-Udobne (UA) jointly operated border crossing point to enhance the efficiency of transportation routes for Ukrainian goods passing through Moldova to reach Romania and beyond.

This Group plays a crucial role in facilitating the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes and

In addition to providing an overview of the operational situation at the border crossing points of the three countries, the meeting focused on identifying strategies to optimize the utilization of existing border infrastructure, finetune customs control of goods and control of food safety.

meets every three months, the last time in September in Cahul (MD) – Oancea (RO), to alleviate traffic congestion on transportation routes for Ukraine’s agricultural products.

The Group is a forum for collaboration among the Customs Authorities of the Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. It acts as a platform for other pertinent institutions involved in the process.

The goal is to contribute effectively to alleviating congestion on transportation routes. Specific initiatives discussed included the possibility of opening additional border crossing points for cargo traffic, redirecting empty trucks, and implementing coordinated controls to reduce the time required for border crossings.

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Slawomir Pichor, Head of EUBAM, acknowledged the heightened challenges of Russia’s ongoing strikes on transport infrastructure and harshened weather conditions.

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Emphasizing the collaborative nature of addressing this challenging situation, he stated, “Our Ukrainian partners highlighted during the meeting that these challenges cannot be tackled in isolation. The entire transport chain needs thorough consideration, requiring collective and swift action from all stakeholders.”

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Capacity of experts working in the laboratories of the National Agency for Food Safety - strengthened with EU support Specialists from the Republican Center for Veterinary Diagnostics (CRDV) and the National Public Health Agency (ANSP) involved in the implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Surveillance and Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) were trained by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) during a two-day workshop on October 30-31, 2023.

The training session was led by Ms. Lali Madzgarashvili, an international expert on quality infrastructure, and aimed at the development of Laboratory Component of the AMR National Surveillance System.

The National Program for Surveillance and Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) for 2023-2027 represents the sectoral policy of the Ministry of Health in the field of prevention and control of communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, being implemented through the multisectoral approach and collaboration with Governmental and non-governmental bodies

Within the framework of this activity, the existing joint order on AMR Monitoring System was reviewed, as well as all other international and national regulatory documents related to the AMR surveillance.

National AMR Network Development is based on "One Health" concept – the main approach and methodology to combat AMR. The training was carried out within the framework of the project "Improving the Standards Compliance Through Increased National Capacities for Residue Monitoring" funded by the European Union.

representing Agricultural and Environmental fields.

The program provides a complex approach to measures, aimed at supporting the interactions of the Government and society, to improve the health and well-being of the population, reduce health inequalities, and strengthen public health.

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National Agency for Food Safety specialists in continuous training and professional growth, with the EU assistance Between 7 and 8 November, within the premises of the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) "On-the-job training on the elaboration of the National Residue Monitoring Plan" took place.

The purpose of the training is to strengthen the technical competence of ANSA at the institutional level by supporting the development and implementation of the National Residue Monitoring Plan (PNMR) and introduction of the 3-year cycle for planning of control measures according to the requirements of the European Union.

The training is an activity to develop competencies in the fields of industrial intelligence (statistics, data) for evidencebased policymaking, good governance and institutional mechanisms, but also best management practices and international standards.

The activity is part of the project "Improving compliance of standards by

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The training sessions involved the review and evaluation of the existing written procedure, as well as other documents related to the development and implementation of the NMRP: » selection laboratories;

and

evaluation

of

» financial planning; » identifying gaps and developing a new, improved draft procedure to be presented to ANSA management.

increasing national residue monitoring capacities" funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. The main objective of the project is to increase national capacities to monitor residues in animal feed and products of animal origin (pesticides, residues of veterinary drugs and contaminants).

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Improving compliance with standards and technical regulations in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products – new support from the European Union and UNIDO Over 60 representatives of Government institutions, international organizations, private sector and business associations

gathered in Chișinău, on 9 November 2023, to discuss how to strengthen food safety in Moldova.

The European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) presented the structure and expected outcomes of the new joint action “Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring”. The main findings of a national quality infrastructure analysis were presented and debated with the main project partners, the National Food Safety Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Sectorial Associations and the private sector. Key activities for 2024 were agreed upon, such as the harmonization of animal health legislation with the EU, quality control of animal feed, partnering with national and

EU food safety laboratories, training for selfcontrol and sampling in farms and food businesses, awareness-raising activities on the proper use of antibiotics in animals, amongst many others.

The participants positively evaluated the results of the analysis and pointed out the importance of strong multipartnership cooperation for increased consumer food safety in the country. The participants also stressed the necessity of supporting producers to strengthen their competitiveness in Moldova and developing wider market opportunities, especially for penetrating the EU market.

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The "Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring” opens new opportunities for the private sector through improved residue monitoring and strengthened laboratory infrastructure. It sets the stage for continued advancement towards enhanced consumer safety and access to safe, healthy and nutritious food. The European Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) remain committed to

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supporting Moldova on its journey toward a sustainable and prosperous future.

Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring is an EU-funded action, boasting an investment of EUR 1.5 million. This initiative is carried out by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with Moldova's public and private sectors.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

New perspectives and recommendations for improving access to justice in the Republic of Moldova On November 7, 2023, the Report on the analysis of court monitoring data was presented at the headquarters of the Ministry of Justice. The report was developed within the Project "Enhance transparency, accountability and access to the judicial system" (ETAAJS), financed by the European Union and implemented in the Republic of Moldova by the Central Project Management Agency from Lithuania and Expertise France.

The report summarized the findings regarding the main deficiencies identified in the process of monitoring 800 court hearings and assessing the quality of 400 court decisions in the period June 2022May 2023. The report was drawn up by a team of renowned experts, representatives of the judicial system and the environment academic from Lithuania and provides a comprehensive and multi-centred assessment of the processes and issues in the justice sector in the Republic of Moldova.

The Report's findings and recommendations are valuable for all law institutions, courts, prosecutor's offices, because they highlight the critical aspects of the justice system that need to be improved, in order to further facilitate the right of access to justice, improve the quality of the justice act, in especially of court decisions, as well as to contribute to increasing confidence in the justice system.

The report was the subject of more detailed and punctual rounds of debates during joint meetings with the members of the Superior Council of the Magistracy and the Faculty of Law of the State University of Moldova.

Political decision-makers, representatives of the judicial environment, as well as the academic environment reconfirmed their support and openness to persevere in the implementation of the recommendations of the Report to ensure a quality and reliable justice system. The report was published on the court portal and can be accessed at the following link.

The EU Ambassador to Moldova, Jānis Mažeiks, representatives of the judicial system, legal professions, academia, civil society, development partners, national and international experts were present at the Report presentation event.

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The results of the EU Project “Enhance transparency, accountability and access to the judiciary system” presented in a public event On December 7, 2023, in the premises of the National Art Museum of Moldova, the closing conference of the Project "Enhance transparency, accountability and access to the judiciary system" (ETAAJS), financed by the European Union and implemented in the Republic of Moldova by the Central Project Management Agency from Lithuania and Expertise France.

The goal of the ETAAJS Project was to increase transparency, accountability and access to the judicial system in the Republic of Moldova. The Project's activities were divided into 2 components: 1. Evaluation of the respect for the right to a fair trial in judicial proceedings and the quality of court decisions and 2. Increasing the capacities of the legal profession.

For two years (2022-2023), national and international experts monitored the courts, to assess the observance of the right to a fair trial in judicial proceedings and the quality of judicial decisions, and carried out several activities aimed at increasing the capacities of lawyers, ensuring the improvement of the right to a fair trial and increasing the quality of legal assistance, in accordance with international standards.

document or can contribute to remedying some current problems.

The participants of the event mentioned the consistent value of the contribution that the Project had to the improvement of access to justice and to the accountability of justice actors, by strengthening their capacities.

The actions carried out within the project have generated several proposals, which can certainly be found in a future justice policy

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The speakers at the event appreciated the support offered by the Republic of Lithuania and the French Republic, expressing gratitude to the ambassadors of these states, H.E. Tadas Valionis and E.S. Graham Paul, present at the event. The officials reiterated their openness to continue supporting the efforts to reform the judiciary in the Republic of Moldova.

The conference was also attended by representatives of the Delegation of the European Union in Chișinău, the justice system, the academic environment, civil society, as well as well-known experts from the Republic of Moldova.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Viorica Dragan, Census Enumerator: using tablets to collect data made me much more efficient and people were more responsive Viorica Dragan is 46 years old and lives in Chișinău. She is one of over 100 temporary enumerators employed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as part of the Pilot Census, conducted from August 28 to October 10, 2023. Although she has worked in the light industry for almost 20 years, Viorica recently retrained in the field of finance, a long-standing passion of hers.

In light of her career transition, she claims she has more free time to focus on her family and other activities.

According to the data provided by NBS, about 22 thousand households in 11 localities in the Republic of Moldova were visited during the Pilot Census. Viorica was responsible for the enumeration of several residential blocks in the Ciocana sector of the capital, describing the experience as unique.

The Pilot Census lasted six weeks. For this exercise, over 100 census enumerators and supervisors were recruited to interview the population in the 11 localities. Prior to the pilot exercise period, the temporary staff hired for this process underwent training from the NBS on data collection techniques and the intricacies of the Census.

It was precisely because of this free time, her genuine desire to get involved, and the necessity to extra income that Viorica took on the role of an enumerator at the National Bureau of Statistics for the Pilot Population and Housing Census (PHC).

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Roughly 7 out of 10 people stated that the duration of the enumeration was reasonable

"I look forward to repeating the experience in the 2024 National Census and encourage those interested to join"

On average, the enumeration process took 20-40 minutes, according to the Pilot PHC. About 7 out of 10 people declared that the enumeration duration was reasonable.

For the 2024 Census, the National Bureau of Statistics will hire over four thousand enumerators and supervisors - temporary staff responsible for enumerating the population and households.

Viorica expresses her eagerness to repeat the experience and participate as an enumerator in the Population and Housing Census in 2024, driven by her enjoyment of the previous experience.

"Working daily in the sector (Ciocana), the residents already knew me. They greeted me with smiles and good wishes. Only a few declined to open their doors, while many generously offered water, tea, coffee, or even invited me inside to sit down, understanding that I had been standing for some time", expresses Viorica.

"I welcome the digitisation enumeration process"

of

the

In the Pilot Census, an innovative enumeration method was introduced for the first time, involving data recording on tablets - a modern alternative to the traditional practice of collecting statistical data on paper. Thus, during the Pilot PHC, enumerators assessed the functionality of the software, gauged the time required for an interview, and evaluated the population's willingness to participate in the Census.

"I really enjoyed surveying the population, especially due to the digitised process.

Thanks to tablet enumeration, I was more efficient, and people were very open. I thank everyone I interacted with, each brought a positive experience to my life", emphasises Viorica.

95% of those surveyed stated that both the questions and the enumeration process were explained clearly and in an accessible manner.

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"I will definitely get involved in the 2024 Census. I encourage all those interested to become enumerators in 2024 to follow my example. It is a unique experience and you become a part of such an important national process", concludes Viorica.

The Population and Housing Pilot Census was conducted with the support of the project "Support for the National Bureau of Statistics in conducting the Population and Housing Census of 2024," funded by the European Union and co-funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The Population and Housing Census occurs every 10 years, being the most crucial national statistical exercise that provides a comprehensive demographic overview of the country. The data collected from the Census will provide essential and quality information for the development of public policies, both at the national and local levels, in the economic and social fields. This information is imperative for the progression of the Republic of Moldova.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Local elections in the Republic of Moldova: taking stock of the lessons learnt on monitoring hate speech in the media during the electoral campaign On 5 December 2023, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Moldova, organised a roundtable on the monitoring of hate speech in the media during electoral campaigns, with a focus on the local elections held in November 2023 in the country.

Thorsten AFFLERBACH, Head of the Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes Division, Council of Europe, stressed that “the right to freedom of expression, one of the essential foundations of a democratic and pluralistic society carries both rights and duties, responsibilities, and it should not and can’t be abused. These are important aspects to be addressed particularly during electoral periods, for ensuring a comprehensive approach to combating hate speech and discrimination.”

Falk LANGE, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, said “The actions of support of the Council of Europe, including today’s event, are a step forward in the direction of effectively combating inacceptable forms of expression in the public domain, especially in audiovisual media services. This contributes to the fact that the regulatory institution, but also media broadcasters and stakeholders recognise and deal with the hate speech issues in line with European standards, also very important under the new European perspective of the country.”

Liliana VIȚU, Chair of the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Moldova, noted that “The discussions today are important for improving the practices in monitoring hate speech in the Republic of Moldova by the Audiovisual Council, in particular in electoral periods, but also for media outlets and stakeholders, in order to prevent and combat hate speech in audiovisual programmes and services”.

Eduard PESENDORFER, Programme Manager, European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, acknowledged “The European Union is glad to support the monitoring of hate speech in the media during the electoral campaign for the Moldovan local elections in November 2023. This support to the Audiovisual Council and the Equality Council has been provided under the EU-CoE Partnership for Good Governance.

Relevant monitoring mechanism applied by the Audiovisual Council allows for concrete steps in the implementation of the new legislative framework on non-discrimination.

The Round Table organised today helped draw important lessons to prevent and combat hate speech in the Moldovan media in the future.”

Preliminary data and analytical findings after monitoring of hate speech during the recent electoral period were presented to participants of the event, such as: this is the first election in which the use of hate speech by electoral competitors was prohibited and

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could be sanctioned under the Contravention Code. Interim election monitoring reports showed that at least 36 cases of hate speech were identified in the public space and in the media.

The roundtable gave relevant authorities and actors from the Republic of Moldova and other countries, the opportunity to exchange views and experiences on best practices, but also challenges in assessing and processing hate speech and discrimination cases in media and public space. These exchanges aimed to improve the practices in preventing and combating hate speech in the media in line with European standards.

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Findings of the discussion aim to pave the way ahead to improve the practices in monitoring hate speech in the Republic of Moldova, with specific references to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers Recommendation on combating hate speech, adopted in 2022.

This event is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, cofunded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

The Council of Europe organised a training on the Law of the European Union for judges and staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova The complete composition of judges and key members of the secretariat staff of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova enhanced their knowledge of EU law during a two-day training held in Chișinău on 23-24 November 2023.

At the opening of the training, Mr. Marius Ciprian Toth, the Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău noted: “The topic of today’s training is very important for the Republic of Moldova in the current context and in view of its EU pre-accession process. Therefore, Council of Europe, within the framework of its joint project with the European Union on Support of the justice reform in the Republic of Moldova, gladly agreed to support this training”.

The training was organised within the framework of the EU-CoE Joint Project

Ms. Domnica Manole, the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, expressed gratitude for the attention given to the needs of the Court and for the organisation of this training, which is particularly relevant for the activities of the Constitutional Court.

The training was delivered by Mr. Răzvan Horatiu Radu, international consultant of the Council of Europe, and covered the topics such as EU institutions and their competencies, the EU decision-making process, relation between the EU Court of Justice and the national constitutional courts, protection of human rights at the EU level, etc. A separate session was dedicated to the interrelation between the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

“Support to the Justice Reform in the Republic of Moldova”.

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Representatives of the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova took part in a study visit to the Centre for Judicial Studies in Lisbon On 12-13 December 2023, 11 representatives of the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova a visited the Centre for Judicial Studies in Lisbon, Portugal. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the experiences and best practices pertaining to recruitment, selection and training (including initial and continuous training) of judges and prosecutors in Portugal.

(seconded judges and prosecutors), IT specialists, etc. Various subjects were discussed during the meetings with a focus on training programmes and processes including training with mock trials, recruitment, selection, employment, and assessment of trainers as well as practices pertaining to continuous training of judges and prosecutors.

The delegation of the National Institute of Justice had a series of discussions with Fernando vaz Ventura, the Director of the Centre for Judicial Studies, heads of departments of the Centre, trainers

The visit was organised within the framework of the joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Support to the Justice Reform in the Republic of Moldova".

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NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Staff and Inter-Agency Working Group of the Ministry of Justice learned about the North Macedonian Experience in the EU screening process under Chapter 23 and Political Criteria On 14-15 December 2023, the inter-agency working group led by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), as well as the core team of the MoJ, participated in a training course on the screening process of the European Union (EU) regarding Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Right as well as Political Criteria. The training was delivered by Hristina Koneska-Beroska, international consultant of the Council of Europe, who has extensive experience in the negotiations and the EU accession process of North Macedonia.

The work of the first training day was opened

by Marius Ciprian Toth, the Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău and Eduard Serbenco, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice.

The leadership of the MoJ welcomed the initiative and highlighted the importance of sharing the experience of North Macedonia with public servants from the Republic of Moldova that are fully involved in the implementation of the necessary conditionalities in the process of joining the EU. During the training, participants learned about the North Macedonian experience in

"Justice reform remains one of the areas in which further work must be done in order to fulfil all the necessary conditionalities in the EU accession process. The Council of Europe remains committed to continue providing support and assistance in this sector. I am convinced that the expertise and lessons learned of North Macedonia, shared from the perspective of an experienced national civil servant from an EU candidate country are valuable and will be useful for the activity that you are undertaking in terms of negotiations for EU accession", said Marius Ciprian Toth, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău.

applying the revised methodology for the EU screening process in general as well as the explanatory and bilateral screening processes in particular.

The training was organised within the framework of the joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Support to the Justice Reform in the Republic of Moldova".

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Intermunicipal cooperation, a model for organising public services, piloted by Cahul and Ungheni districts Models and practices for the institutionalization of intermunicipal cooperation in Cahul and Ungheni regions were presented to over 50 representatives of local public administrations from the Republic of Moldova, at a workshop organized on 13 December by the "EU4Moldova: Focal Regions" programme, financed by the EU and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. Four public services – two in Ungheni in the field of solid waste and water supply and sewage service, and two in Cahul in the field of solid waste and public domain management – will transition to an intermunicipal cooperation model, which implies regionalization, increased coverage, and efficiency. This journey is supported by the "EU4Moldova: Focal Regions" programme.

As a first step, Intermunicipal Councils were established to gather representatives from communities who have decided to jointly deliver public services.

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These councils benefitted from legal assistance to institutionalize intermunicipal cooperation. The decisions were then approved by local councils of the member communities. Finally, service providers were reorganized, and institutional and operational capacities were strengthened.

As a result, over 200,000 residents of 24 localities in the Cahul region and 34 localities in the Ungheni region will benefit from improved public services.

“The institutionalisation of intercommunity cooperation is a new chapter in the development of Ungheni and Cahul. We believe that it has the potential to bring about significant improvements in the quality of life for the people of these regions,” noted Jan Demidovits- Mekelainen, Programme Manager, EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

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The four public services from Cahul and Ungheni piloting intermunicipal cooperation benefitted from one million euros overall from the European Union and 50,000 euros from France for infrastructure works, equipment and more. Also, the local representatives learned from case-studies in Romania and France, where such forms of cooperation bring added value.

“EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme (2019-2024) supports smart, inclusive, and sustainable socio-economic development in

Cahul and Ungheni regions, to bring a better quality of life to citizens. The programme has a total budget of €23 million, is financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

For more details about the programme’s activities in Cahul and Ungheni regions, access www.eu4cahul.md and www.eu4ungheni.md

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The city halls of Cahul and Ungheni municipalities have been ISO-certified on quality management and antibribery Cahul and Ungheni city halls are the first two local public authorities in the Republic of Moldova to receive ISO certificates for the Integrated Quality Management System and Anti-Bribery Management, according to ISO 9001 and ISO 37001. The certification process was supported by the "EU4Moldova: Focal regions" programme, financed by the EU and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. Issued by the International Organization for Standardization, the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management certificate confirms that local public authorities have a management system that includes corruption prevention tools, establishing a culture of integrity and transparency for the implementation of internal controls. This will enhance the chances of preventing bribery and reducing its incidence. Meanwhile, the ISO 9001 Integrated Quality Management System confirms that local public authorities have a quality management system in the organization and delivery of public services is certified, improving overall performance.

of local anti-corruption action plans and the implementation of the principles of internal managerial control. All these help to integrate good practices and principles of good governance into the administration of local communities.

The handover of the ISO certificates took place on 5 December during the national conference "Good Governance, Transparency and Anti-Corruption at the Local Level", an event that brought together over 45 guests: development partners, central and local government officials, international and local experts, and representatives of the academic environment.

“EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme (2019-2024) supports smart, inclusive, and sustainable socio-economic development in Cahul and Ungheni regions, to bring a better quality of life to citizens. The programme has a total budget of €23 million, is financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

During the 2020-2023 period, the City Halls of Cahul and Ungheni benefited from "EU4Moldova: Focal Regions" programme support in the implementation

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For more details about the programme’s activities in Cahul and Ungheni regions, access www.eu4cahul.md and www.eu4ungheni.md

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

The series of public discussions on the Public Finance Management Development Strategy continues The Ministry of Finance together with the EU High Level Advisers’ Mission continue the series of public discussions on the PFM Development Strategy. Thus, the third session focused on aspects related to Component 6 of the document – Public procurement; whereas the fourth one – on the Transparency of Public Finance.

The Minister of Finance Petru Rotaru mentioned the need to draw special attention to the field of public procurement in order to ensure its increased efficiency, so that “public money directed to public procurement and capital investments reaches the long-term and medium-term objectives.

It is important that both the principle of transparency and the others that govern the field of public procurement are respected at the highest level”.

For his part, the EU High Level Adviser on Customs and Tax Policy, Rosario De Blasio, welcomed the presence of stakeholders, noting that in order to have a transparent and efficient process, active involvement of stakeholders in the further development of the implementation documents is crucial.

Thus, the development of a high-performance public procurement system that provides “value for money” in the use of public funds is one of the objectives of the Strategy in the public procurement chapter.

One of the priority directions of the Strategy is the re-engineering of the electronic public procurement system, in order to meet the requirements at national and European level, with the use of electronic system for the entire procurement cycle (planning, carrying out the award procedure, awarding, contract management – amendments).

During the fourth session, attention was drawn to the Component 7 of the strategy, and namely transparency of public finance.

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The official opening of the event was honoured by the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance Ana Luca and the Secretary of State Ion Gumene, who emphasized the institutional commitment to the effective implementation of Component 7 and noted that the main objective is to ensure that the management of public finance is carried out in a transparent and accountable environment.

The EU High Level Adviser on PFM Janis Jankovskis delivered a presentation on the importance of budget transparency within public financial systems, emphasizing the importance of the PFM systems quality for EU accession, providing an overview of the BT in Moldova as compared to

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the international perspective, as well as commented on the alignment of the PFM strategy with remaining BT gaps. Also, Mr Jankovskis highlighted the essential role of transparency in strengthening citizens' trust in state institutions and the need to implement European practices in this field.

The information campaign was launched in September and covers all the 7 components of the Public Finance Management Development Strategy: macroeconomic analysis and the macro-budgetary framework; budget development and planning; transparency of public finances; public procurement; tax and customs policies and revenue administration.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Criminal investigation specialists build their capacities in the field of blockchain and on-chain forensics Over 50 professionals from criminal investigation institutions and tax institutions participated on 20 November in the interinstitutional seminar “Introduction to Blockchain & On-Chain Forensics”, organised by the EU High Level Advisers’ Mission. The seminar was opened by the acting General Prosecutor Ion Munteanu, the Director of the Office for Prevention and Fight Against Money Laundering Service Daniel Marius Staicu and Programme Manager of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, Irina Cruceru.

Participants learned about how to use blockchain capabilities to detect cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering in emerging countries. The trainers, Vlad Mercori and Matei Vârsta, among other

subjects, focused on centralised and decentralized exchanges, the importance of regulations for prevention of fraud and money laundering, the impact of blockchain investigations in corruption cases, taking into account the reliability of the evidence obtained through blockchain investigations.

The event was organised following the assessment of the possibility of obtaining faster results for financial investigations through coordinated actions of the institutions of the Republic of Moldova, for which the development of practical skills in this field will constitute a significant step in progressing in special investigations and ultimately improve the track record of crime investigations and sentences.

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Two new EU High Level Advisers join the Mission in the Republic of Moldova A new EU High Level Adviser has recently started his assignment in the Republic of Moldova. Nicolae Grigore takes over the position of High Level Adviser for the Financial Services sector.

elaboration of the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process, according with the best practices and supervisory standards in the European Union.

Having served in the National Bank of Romania, and with over 20 years of experience in prudential and Anti-Money Laundering supervision, Nicolae was actively involved in the process of cooperation with the international bodies responsible for the regulation and supervision of the financial sector, being a member of various supervisory colleges, working groups and committees of international financial institutions.

Additionally, in the last couple of years, he provided, as Senior EU Mid-Term Expert on Banking Supervision, support to the National Bank of Moldova on implementation of international standards and best practices in the field of banking supervision and in developing the capacities required for the

Rolandas Taraskevicius joined, as of 1 December, taking over the Agri-Food Sector Development field. The EU HLA will provide strategic support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and its subordinated agencies on the implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement and on policy and legislative approximation in his sector of expertise, as well as support progress towards the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Mr Taraskevicius has held top managerial positions in the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture, including as Chief Adviser to the Minister, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

With the recent members of the team, EU HLA Mission in Moldova reached the number of 14 advisers providing policy advice to key public institutions, in the fields of: Anticorruption, Reforms Coordination, Diplomatic and

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NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

European Affairs, Internal Security Affairs, Strategic Coordination & European Affairs, Environment and Green Transition, Local Public Administration Reform, Education & Research, Energy, Customs and Tax Policy, Justice and Prosecution Services, Public Finance Management, Financial Services.

The current Mission started in January 2023 and will last until January 2025.

Details about each of the serving High Level Advisers can be found at https://www.eu-advisers.md/ro/category/ mission-2023-2025/eu-high-level-advisers/ .

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First high-level regional conference on cross-border crime risks takes place in Chișinău, organised by the Customs Service and the EU High Level Advisers Mission For the first time, officials from customs institutions and border police of the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine gathered in Chișinău on 23 November to discuss the current cross-border crime risks in the region and agree on joint solutions in this regard.

The event also raised the interest of the diplomatic community, public institutions, as well as the business environment.

The conference aimed to serve as a platform for dialogue to strengthen cooperation between the law enforcement institutions

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of the three countries, especially in terms of countering cross-border crime. During the three panel discussions, which focused on Smuggling of excisable goods and illegal production and illicit financial flows, Crossborder trafficking of arms, dual-use goods and Drug Trafficking, Drug Precursors and Anabolic Steroids, participants had the opportunity to assess and address changing crime trends and identify new ways of inter-agency cooperation to improve joint operational actions.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

In his opening speech, Ambassador of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova Jānis Mažeiks noted that a number of important reforms were made in the areas of fight against organised crime and money laundering, as part of Republic of Moldova’s package of measures to combat smuggling and illicit financial flows: “The country’s anti-terrorism legislation is generally aligned with the EU acquis and applicable international law. Nevertheless, capacity should be strengthened to counter smuggling, corruption and the new challenges, such as cybercrime, illicit cross-border financial flows, including via virtual currency, and improve the general preparedness and response to these crimes.

The EU remains committed to support the country on this path.”

It is proposed that the Conference takes place on a regular basis in the future and serve as a platform for Moldovan, Romanian and Ukrainian counterparts for exchange of

The Director General of the Customs Service, Igor Talmazan, stated: “The Customs Service is firmly committed to joining efforts and intensifying international cooperation to effectively fight against illicit trade in goods. In particular, increased attention is directed to combating the illicit traffic in tobacco products, which represents a global problem, has direct links with organized crime and terrorism networks.

However, cigarette smuggling, including counterfeit products, is currently assessed as one of the most serious security risks on the Moldovan-Romanian and MoldovanUkrainian border segments, significantly affecting the budgets of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the EU member states”.

information and best practice and finding joint solutions to common challenges of Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.

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Information campaign on the new Customs Code continues with training sessions for Customs officials On 22-29 November, about 160 customs officials from the Northern region of the Republic of Moldova participated in three training sessions organised in Balti as part of the training campaign for customs staff on the changes to be introduced with the entry into force of the new Customs Code on 1 January 2024.

During December 7 – 14, another 500 customs officers took part in the trainings organized in Chișinău for the central region.

Training sessions were carried out by the Customs Service specialists who participated in the process of drafting and adjusting the new Customs Code and its implementing Regulation. They presented in detail the main provisions and innovations

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of the new Customs Code in the areas of: customs control, customs decisions, customs procedures including special procedures, origin of goods, certification of goods, customs debt and guarantees, etc.

This action is a continuation of the nationwide awareness raising campaign on the implementation of the new Customs Code, its innovations and benefits, organised for the business environment on 24 October – 16 November. During the campaign, over 500 business people took part in the information events in Cahul, Comrat, Balti, Briceni, Căușeni, Ungheni and Chișinău. The campaign is organised and carried out by the Customs Service in partnership with the EU High Level Advisers’ Mission.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Enhancing prosecutor institutional reputation

communication:

strengthening

The recent workshop held on December 14, 2023, in Chișinău brought together approximately 120 prosecutors from the General Prosecutor’s Office, Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, and the Specialised Prosecutor's Office on Organised Crime and Special Causes from both central and regional offices within the Republic of Moldova. This gathering aimed to fortify the communication strategies of these legal entities, serving as a collaborative effort to

refine and empower the prosecutors' grasp of strategic communication.

The workshop was divided into distinct segments covering multifaceted aspects of communication. It commenced with an introduction to strategic communication, delving into understanding its terms, planning steps, and crucially, distinguishing it from conventional modes of communication.

institution's brand. Practical examples were used to highlight these concepts, facilitating clearer comprehension and application.

A pivotal focus was placed on organizational culture, emphasizing its link with internal communication and its influence on an

The primary goal was to equip these legal professionals with updated skills and insights, fostering a deeper understanding of the nuances of strategic communication.

Throughout the comprehensive 8-hour session, participants engaged in various modules, ensuring a comprehensive embrace of this essential facet of institutional strength.

Understanding and tailoring messages for different audiences formed a core part of the workshop. Participants engaged in group exercises, decoding the needs, key messages, and channels for various communication targets, ranging from internal stakeholders to the public.

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Emphasis was placed on crafting clear and inclusive messages for both internal and external audiences. Strategies for effective communication with the public, including leveraging appropriate channels and crisis communication, were extensively explored.

The day concluded with discussions on the importance of evaluating communication strategies and creating surveys for feedback, enabling continual refinement of their communication approaches.

The trainer’s guidance throughout the workshop provided invaluable insights, leaving participants empowered and equipped to apply strategic communication effectively within their respective prosecutorial roles.

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The workshop's success lay not only in the depth of knowledge achieved but also in the active participation and enthusiasm displayed by the prosecutors. Their commitment to sharpening these skills undoubtedly reinforces the prospect of stronger institutional communication and, consequently, a fortified reputation for the Prosecutor's Offices of the Republic of Moldova.

The activity was organized within the framework of the "Strengthening the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Mechanisms in the Republic of Moldova" project cofunded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

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New vehicles donated to the Border Police and the General Inspectorate for Migration, with the EU financial support 30 vehicles completed the fleet of the General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP) and seven additional cars have been added to the fleet of the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM).

On November 30, the cars were presented during the donation ceremony held in Chișinău, in the presence of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Adrian Efros, the management of the Border Police, and the

"By today’s donation, we continue supporting the Republic of Moldova in making its daily missions in securing the border and in the management of the refugees’ flow.

General Inspectorate for Migration and donors - representatives of the European Union and the International Organization for Migration in the Republic Moldova.

The new vehicles were purchased in the framework of the EU funded Project "Supporting protection, transit, voluntary and informed return and reintegration of Eastern Partnership citizens and third-country nationals affected by the conflict in Ukraine".

It will enable the border personnel to work in better conditions, with equipment adapted to the requirements on the ground," stated Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

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The Chief of Mission of IOM Moldova, Lars Johan Lönnback: “We strongly believe that this support will strengthen the operational capacity of national institutions, particularly their mobility and verification capabilities, ensuring a substantial scale-up in the implementation of their mandated responsibilities. IOM intends to continue to improve the collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its specialized agencies in their commitment to ensure the security of Moldovan borders and protect crisis-affected migrants and their human rights, while respecting national sovereignty”.

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Equipping and strengthening the capabilities of MIA subdivisions are part of the implementation of priority no. 7 of the Government of the Republic of Moldova in terms of state border security.

In the framework of this project, 12 other cars were previously handed over to the Border Police, being assigned to subdivisions, for the purpose of their use in daily activities of control and surveillance of the state border.

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ECONOMY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Strengthening the skills of the Vocational Education and Training teachers from Moldova under EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme With the framework of the programme EU4Moldova: Local Communities, funded by the European Union, managers and teachers from four Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions of Edineț,

Leova, and Strășeni rayons develop their managerial and professional skills, thus actively contributing to the consolidation and alignment of the national VET system.

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During the years 2023-2025, educators and managers from Leova Vocational School, Brătușeni College of Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Economy, Cupcini Vocational School, and Strășeni College of Engineering will participate biannually in a series of workshops. The workshops will address VET topics such as the development of the Institutional Strategic Development Plan, conducting feasibility studies for additional income generation, training of innovative teaching skills, development of project

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proposals and teaching, as well as digital literacy. The mentioned activities aim to support an exchange of best practices with the teachers for efficient management and organization of the VET institution's activities. These activities are implemented by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).

The EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme is funded by the European Union, and the governments of Germany, Austria, and Poland.

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The story of the winemaking sisters from Kislov – beneficiaries of an EU grant Two young sisters from the Gîsca village, Transnistrian region, have turned their father's passion into a family business.

Alexandra Calașnic and Elizaveta Prihodko have recreated the atmosphere of a French chateau right in their parents' backyard. Now, every visitor can enjoy the tourist experience offered by Kislov Winery, from the vineyard to the courtyard and cellar, all tailored to the French style.

The choice of the winery's name was not accidental. It’s a legacy transformed into a legend that highlights the entire business.

"We, along with my sister, practiced viticulture since childhood. We planted the vineyard when we were teenagers. We were involved in planting, tying the vines, and knew all aspects of vineyard care. However, back then, we were just simple helpers for our parents," recalls Alexandra Calașnic.

"Kislov is the last name of our great-greatgrandfather. It's extremely interesting that in 1914, the entire area—the plains and the hills—were covered with his vineyards, where he cultivated grapes 100 years ago," recounts Alexandra.

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In 2014, when their father decided to plant vineyards there, they discovered the history of the family's vineyard.

Thus, at the entrance to the cellar, tourists first learn the legend of the place and then discover that, in Kislov, tradition and innovation are harmoniously combined.

While their father is responsible for the wine production technology, the two daughters

"The cellar and the vineyard are not too large.

We have a limited number of grape varieties, so we are interested in trying something new. For this, we need additional equipment, which is quite expensive. Thanks to the grant, we purchased French and American oak barrels, allowing us to create a new line of premium quality wines," says Alexandra.

Everyone is involved in the family business, including the two sisters, parents, and even grandparents.

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manage the business plan, promote the winery and attract new opportunities.

In 2022, the young women participated in a grant competition funded by the European Union through the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP. This is how they obtained a grant of 15 thousand euros to equip the cellar with the necessary tools.

Although it is a family business, new jobs are created in the winery, so in addition to the extended family, four more people are employed, who are equally dedicated. Thus, Kislov Winery can produce approximately 6000 bottles of wine annually.

"We care a lot about quality, from cultivating the vine to the last cork in the bottle.

Everything is done manually by us, and we are proud of what we offer people. The grant helped us improve the quality even more, so we can fully meet our production requirements,"

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adds Elizaveta.

With over 240 registered wineries and cellars at the National Office for Vine and Wine, it can be more challenging to stand out or show uniqueness. So, to be different and offer visitors something special, Alexandra and Elizaveta have set up an open-air cinema.

"Here we have an open-air cinema, tours, various events, corporate events, weddings.

Also, we offer sommelier courses. So, we have a wide range of activities on our territory, and we want to expand them even more," adds Elizaveta.

Thirteen other young entrepreneurs like Alexandra Calașnic and Elizaveta Prihodko were selected through a competition by the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, to start or develop a business.

The Confidence Building Measures Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, contributes to building trust between residents on both banks of the Nistru River by involving them in common development projects.

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With the support of the European Union, 20 women from the Telenești district benefited from training in the field of entrepreneurship At the end of December, the team of the project "Woman in Leader's Shoes", carried out by the NGO "Multifunctional Center for Education, Information, Culture" from Telenești city, reviewed the successes recorded in the last half year. The project opened new horizons for 20 women who benefited from a series of unique opportunities, such as: personalized training, focused on developing leadership and management skills, dedicated

mentoring for designing and implementing effective business plans, developing digital skills, essential in the age of technology and training in organizing community events, promoting inclusion and diversity.

Jana Maxim is one of the project beneficiaries. She has started a cleaning company and says that the training she attended helped her to gain courage and gave her the confidence to overcome barriers that seemed insurmountable. "I have learned to use my ideas and assert myself as a leader in my field. Every lesson and advice received from the mentors guided me to turn challenges into opportunities and build

a solid business with a positive impact on the community."

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Briefly, the results of the project are as follows: 20 women inspired and prepared for the business world, 7 innovative business plans were developed, and 3 new businesses were registered as a direct result of the project.

The training coordinator within the NGO "Institutum Virtutes Civilis", Cornelia Ursu, mentioned that the participants involved in the project acquired digital skills, knowledge and abilities that will help them launch and manage businesses. "We hope that the result of your work will benefit the whole community. We expect you to create jobs

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in the hope that they will provide economic opportunities and inspire other women and young women to follow the path of entrepreneurship. Every business you develop helps to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future. We are proud to see how your ambition and perseverance turn into concrete realities that bring a valuable contribution to the development of the community."

The president of the Tenelești district, Iurie Tulgara, thanked the donor organizations for the support offered to the localities in the region. "These activities point us towards a future aligned with European values, a future of opportunities and growth."

NGO "Multifunctional Center for Education,

Information, Culture" from Telenești is among the 15 CSOs from all over the country that received grants for the project’s implementation promoting gender equality, ensuring good governance, and supporting girls and women willing to get involved in public life and supporting young men and women to become agents of change in their localities!

The activities were developed within the project "Partnerships for women's leadership and good governance", carried out by the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation in Moldova and the "Institutum Virtutes Civilis" PA, with the financial support of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova and the "Friedrich Ebert" Foundation.

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With the support of the EU and UNDP Moldova, a quail farm is being developed in the South of the country Fiodor and Alexandra Stefoglo from the village of Găvănoasa, Cahul district, set up a quail farm in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. The idea for this business was an old one, but came to fruition thanks to a 4,000 euros grant from the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” Program, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. With the help of European investment, the Stefoglo couple built a room in the courtyard of their house, where they created all the conditions for raising quail chicks. At the same time, they purchased the equipment and technologies needed to launch the business.

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“We purchased ten cages for two thousand quails, a power generator, an incubator for 1,200 eggs, air conditioners, germicidal lamps, a grain crusher, a refrigerator, a feather plucker, a ventilation system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Thanks to this EU grant, we were able to turn our dream into a profitable business,” says Alexandra Stefoglo enthusiastically.

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“Quail raised in Găvănoasa are sold all over the country” Alexandra and Fiodor are the only ones in their region to open a quail farm. They have no education in animal husbandry, so they had to learn everything on the go to get their business up and running. Alexandra is a 53-year-old technology teacher at the local secondary school, while her husband Fiodor is retired and devotes all his free time to quails.

In the beginning, the Stefoglo couple opened a small farm for 150 quails. Gradually the business grew and now with the help of a modern hatchery they manage to raise almost 1,000 quails every month. Half of them are sold in several villages of the Cahul district, as well as all over the country.

Quail chicks are raised in environmentally friendly conditions and are fed on corn, wheat, barley and soybeans, without any other harmful food additives.

“Starting a quail farm doesn't require a large investment. The main thing is to have the desire to see the business through to the end, and the income will not be long in coming. Our consumers love quail meat. We have sales coming in all the time and we are thinking about expanding the business,” says Alexandra.

Quail eggs are also popular and are nutritionally superior to chicken eggs.

“We produce over 3,000 fresh quail eggs every week. We sell them to order, on social media, to restaurant owners – they're in high demand right now. Quail eggs are very good for health. They improve memory, especially in the elderly, so people come and buy them,” Alexandra explains.

In promoting the business on social media, the Stefoglo couple is helped by their daughter Cristina, who also delivers orders to customers and does bookkeeping.

The Stefoglo’s want to purchase an electric smokehouse in the near future to delight their customers with a new product.

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Over 550 business people took part in the large-scale awareness raising campaign on the new Customs Code The large-scale regional awareness raising campaign for the business community on the provisions of the new Customs Code was finalised in the capital city with the participation of over 200 business people.

As in previous sessions, participants were familiarized by the specialists of the Customs Service and by the EU High Level Adviser on Customs & Tax Policy on the topics of customs control, customs regimes, customs value, origin of goods, IT, customs revenues. By the end of the session, participants engaged in an open discussion, eager to learn more about the changes that will enter into force as of January 2024.

The information sessions that took place in the regions have been organized for a better understanding of application of the

new provisions, but also for an exchange of information and opinions to improve the services offered to the business environment.

A total of over 550 participants took part in the campaign’s events, including in the regional ones held in Briceni, Balti, Comrat,

Cahul, Căușeni and Ungheni during October – November 2023.

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Building a better future: Moldova's path to a balanced job market with the support of the European Union In a recent gathering spearheaded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the ‘EU4Moldova: Local Communities’ programme, funded by the EU, stakeholders met to discuss the challenges surrounding the labour market in Moldova.

With the topic of "Employment Prospects outside Chișinău: Forecast for the Labour Market 2026," the event delved into the imminent challenges and potential strategies for Edinet, Straseni and Leova.

Based on the medium-term forecast study conducted in partnership with the National Employment Agency, one glaring reality revealed was the disproportionate concentration of the workforce in Chișinău, accounting for approximately 50% of the labour force. That leaves other places struggling to grow because all the opportunities are unevenly distributed. The discussions emphasised the need for decent work and career growth outside the capital

and across the country, reducing rural-urban migration and emptying or aging of the rural areas.

At the same time, there is a persistent labour deficit. In order to solve this puzzle, participants suggested teaching more ‘new skills’ and teaming up with government, local authorities and businesses in more efficient ways. Pro and cons of ‘labour import’ or migrant labour were debated.

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An essential aspect highlighted during deliberations was the role of continuous training, which makes it easier for people to adapt to labour market trend, seize arising

opportunities and switch jobs if they need to. It is like having more tools in your toolbox – the more tools you have, the more you can do.

Everyone agreed that working together, sharing responsibility within a team, is extremely important. That is why the EU4Moldova: Local Communities programme, following the Team Europe spirit, is all about making things happen by bringing everyone together, strengthening skills, and joining forces to shape a better employment landscape across the country.

The event took place within the “EU4Moldova: Local Communities” programme, financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland – Polish aid; and jointly implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL) in Moldova.

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Civil Society Organisations in Moldova are ready to empower young entrepreneurs Following the open call for proposals, 10 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from three regions of the Republic of Moldova were selected to participate in an innovative project supported by the European Union - Empowerment of youth entrepreneurship in Moldova. Awarded organizations will implement their proposed projects in 28 Districts of Moldova during next two years.

The first capacity building trainings for the granted organizations have been held from November 20th to December 2nd 2023. The comprehensive course covered a wide range

A key element of the trainings was the interactivity: participants were very active and raised the questions especially in regard to the methodology of collaboration with local public authorities, the selection and enrolment criteria of young beneficiaries, as well as other essential details for the effective implementation of planned activities.

of practical topics, giving participants the skills and best practices needed for guiding young entrepreneurs. They learned how to create engaging information campaigns to attract promising candidates, implement rigorous selection procedures to identify the most impactful projects, and manage procurement processes ethically and efficiently. Additionally, the training equipped them with the skills to provide ongoing monitoring and mentorship to ensure the continued success of young entrepreneurs throughout the project's duration.

Aurora Serediuc, representative of the Public Association "Baștina", Rîșcani district, emphasized the importance of this preliminary phase: "We are ready to start working with the young people, the potential beneficiaries, who are waiting for the actions that will open up opportunities for their empowerment and economic independence.

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It is vital to understand the work stages, applicable tools and how to collaborate in a team, both internally and with external partners, all of which are crucial to realize the proposed projects, on time and with the desired level of quality."

With a thorough understanding of project implementation, income generation support, and financial management, these ten organizations are now poised to make a tangible difference in the lives of young entrepreneurs across Moldova.

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Armed with the knowledge and skills gained through the training, they are ready to guide talented young individuals toward starting, developing, and sustaining successful businesses, ultimately contributing to economic growth and community prosperity.

This initiative marks an important step in supporting young entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova, underlining the continuous commitment of the European Union for the economic and social development of the region.

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Moldova’s road to the European Union: Economic challenges and opportunities in focus On 8 November 2023, the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package that for the first time included a country report for the Republic of Moldova.

To mark the occasion and discuss the report, the EU Technical Assistance Project “Support the Moldovan Government in Identifying and Preparing Projects Linked to the Implementation of the Association Agreement” (PPF) hosted a workshop on ‘Moldova’s road to the EU: economic challenges and opportunities’. The event centred on economic reforms, necessary investments and the financial support available for the country’s integration to the EU.

In his opening speech, the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova Jānis Mažeiks stated ‘[…] while getting closer to the EU can serve as a good anchor for important reforms, in order for them to materialise, the whole society should be involved through strong institutions, civil society and committed politicians.’

During the panel discussion that followed, PPF Senior Expert Mandeep Bains invited the Programme Manager from the EU Delegation, Josip Jurić, to present the main conclusions and recommendations of the European Commission’s country report.

He also stressed the impact of the EU enlargement process on boosting investor confidence.

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Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Representation to Moldova Alberto Carlei talked about the organisation’s main activities in Moldova. Head of Moldova for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Catarina Björlin Hansen focused on EBRD support to the country’s economic reform process, critical during the EU accession preparatory phase. Natalia Adam, Principal Consultant in Investment Project Implementation for Nisporeni

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Municipality, shared information about the development of municipal investment projects of Nisporeni. She also described how the EU Technical Assistance supported the development of a municipal prospectus to present future investment projects in a systematic way for potential funders.

To learn more about the EU Technical Assistance PPF Project visit the project website: https://mf.gov.md/en/ppf.

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ENERGY RESILIENCE EU Climate and Green Diplomacy Weeks in the Republic of Moldova continued until the end of 2023 The campaign dedicated to the EU Climate and Green Diplomacy Weeks, implemented in the Republic of Moldova in the fall, continued with outreach activities until the end of December 2023. This year’s theme was “Building the future: green energy, renewables and equal chances”.

The EU Climate and Green Diplomacy Weeks focus on the global acceleration of the deployment of energy efficiency and renewables. A special focus in this year’s edition was the promotion of equal chances

& gender equality. Activities organised aimed to demonstrate good practices for energy efficiency improvements and accelerated renewables deployment.

During the campaign, Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova co-authored an editorial together with Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova. The editorial is available here on the following link: https://europa.eu/!rdrVKJ

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Throughout the campaign, a series of results were achieved in terms of public outreach: » 2,936,374 views on national TV channels pertaining to video spots developed for the campaign. The number of views by women were about 1,550,970 and 1,385,404 by men. » 56 social media posts » 200 mass media appearances

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» 7 dedicated events » 14,700 views of the video materials on social media. » 115,068 media.

engagements

on

social

» 1,196,000 reach on social media.

The most prominent results of the campaign are highlighted in the video, available on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SKuO yBMgj0&feature=youtu.be

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Compensation on heating and electricity bills for Moldovan consumers - offered with European Union financial support Starting 1 November, household consumers were able to enrol in the “Ajutor la contor” programme to receive compensation on their natural gas, heat, electricity, and solid fuel bills.

To benefit from compensations this year, all consumers had to register on the compensatii.gov.md platform.

This year, families whose main source of heating is wood or coal will receive a cash payment of 800 lei, 100 lei more than last year. The aid for the Cold Period of the

“For the second year in a row, the EU is supporting the Government to help vulnerable households receive energy compensation during the cold season. At the same time, we encourage investments in the energy efficiency of buildings and houses.

Year, APRA, has been integrated into the Energy Vulnerability Information System (SIVE), known as the “Ajutor la contor” programme. To benefit from this payment, the beneficiaries need to fill in the application online or at the social worker, indicating that the main source of heating is solid fuels.

The European Union contributed financially to the capitalization of the Energy Vulnerability Reduction Fund through direct budget support, in the amount of almost 1.5 billion lei.

In the long run, this will reduce the bills and increase the well-being of Moldovans,” said Jānis Mažeiks, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

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Compensations will be allocated for 7 categories of energy vulnerability, this year two new categories have been added – primary and extreme. The authorities will have access to the information on the income of the persons held by the State Fiscal Service, the National Social Insurance House and other state institutions, as well as banking institutions, credit bureaus and other financial institutions, in order to ensure the correctness of the data.

When determining the degree of energy vulnerability, the degree of severe disability of the household members will also count.

Also, the mortgage rate will be deducted from the income available to pay for energy and therefore more applicants will be able to benefit from a higher vulnerability category.

The Energy Vulnerability information system has been expanded with a new module, “Ecovoucher”, managed by the Agency for Energy Efficiency, and the people who will register this year in the system will be eligible for the sessions of the voucher programme as of 2024.

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The Energy Vulnerability Fund was created in 2022 by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the European Union, Slovakia and UNDP, in order to alleviate energy poverty, aggravated by multiple crises.

In the 2022-2023 heating season, approximately 895,000 households benefited from on-bill compensations.

According to the UNDP impact assessment of the Fund, the compensations reduced the level of energy poverty by 43% and had the greatest impact on the most vulnerable families; 57% of natural gas bill costs and 59% of the costs of heating bills were compensated.

The European Union, as well as other development partners, will continue to provide support in the 2023-2024 heating season for the operationalization of the Fund.

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Vulnerable families in Moldova benefit of vouchers to acquire energy-efficient household appliances with assistance of the European Union The “Rabla for Household Appliances” programme, an initiative that will bring significant benefits to vulnerable consumers in the Republic of Moldova, is being launched, thanks to financing provided by the European Union, through the “Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova” programme, implemented by UNDP.

Thus, “Rabla for Household Appliances” offers an opportunity for vulnerable families to reduce their electricity bills by replacing old electrical appliances with new, energyefficient equipment.

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The first stage of the programme started on 15 November, with a funding round for LED bulbs, during which free vouchers will be awarded to around 50,000 families.

Vouchers will be awarded to consumers registered last year in the Energy Vulnerability Information System on the compensatii.gov.md platform who were assigned the very high energy vulnerability category. In the process of selecting beneficiaries, priority is given to families with at least one child, with the number of children in the family being a prioritization criterion. The electricity consumption is also analysed.

Beneficiaries will be informed gradually, either by SMS, e-mail or phone, about the availability of vouchers in their personal accounts on the compensatii.gov.md platform. Also, beneficiaries who do not have mobile phones or internet access will be assisted by the representatives of the Unified Centers for the Provision of Public Services (CUPS).

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According to estimates, just replacing a single 60W incandescent bulb with a 10W LED bulb, which is similar in brightness, brings savings of 328.5 lei per year. In a household with five light bulbs working simultaneously for seven hours a day, the replacement of light bulbs with economical LED ones will produce electrical bill savings of approximately 1642.5 lei per year.

With a total budget estimated at 5.8 million dollars, the “Rabla for Household Appliances” programme will provide financial support, by way of vouchers, of up to 80% of the cost of a refrigerator, electric stove, washing machine and dryer machine. Beneficiaries will contribute 20% of the value of the equipment. At the same time, in order to redeem the voucher, the beneficiary will have to exchange a used electrical appliance of the same type. The vouchers for LED bulbs will be provided free of charge, without personal contribution.

NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023

Thanks to European Union assistance to Moldova’s efforts on an energy transition, residents of four blocks of flats in Chișinău will pay up to 30% less for heating Four hundred and forty-five families in four blocks of flats in Chișinău, the Republic of Moldova, will pay up to 30% less for heating, after changing the heating distribution system to a more energy efficient one. The newly installed Individual Thermal Points (ITP) allow the transfer of thermal energy from the city's centralised system to the building's internal system with minimal heat loss. Thanks to these modifications, the heating will be delivered centrally and distributed evenly to all resident apartments, allowing it to be adjusted individually and properly metered in each apartment. In addition, hot water is prepared in the ITP for domestic use. The switch to the horizontal distribution system will allow savings in energy, costs, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The works of over one million euros, were financed by the European Union (EU) as part of a larger action "Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis", implemented by UNDP Moldova. The blocks of flats were selected through an open competition and households contributed 20% of the investment value.

One of the beneficiary blocks is located on Bulgară street, Chișinău. Since its construction in 1956, tenants of the 56 apartments heated their homes with firewood, until 1975, when the building was connected to the centralised municipal vertical heating system. After almost 50 years in operation, the centralised distribution system was no longer efficient, and bills doubled during the recent energy crisis.

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"Three years ago, when I took over the management of the block, I didn't even dream that there could be funding from the EU for such works. The process was much easier than we thought and included equipment inside the apartments, installing pipes and radiators. Even some of the households who used to heat themselves with autonomous gas plants switched back to the centralised system. Now all the residents have hot water, which was missing for 30 years," says the administrator of the block, Ludmila Rotaru.

The building is on the list of 25 blocks, competitively selected, where the Agency for

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Energy Efficiency will carry out energy audits to identify the energy efficiency measures to be implemented. Such audits are also funded by the EU through the "Addressing the impacts of the energy crisis" programme.

The horizontal distribution system can be applied in more than 80% of multistorey buildings in the country connected to the central heating system. More than 70% of multi-storey buildings in Chișinău have low energy performance, and energy losses represent up to 50% of total heat consumption. Thus, the Agency for Energy Efficiency is to be transformed into the National Center for Sustainable Energy, which will manage the Residential Energy Efficiency Fund in Moldova. It will finance an extensive programme to change the heating systems and rehabilitate the blocks of flats.

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"It’s great to see how Moldova has been able to turn things around in the face of Russian gas cuts and price hikes in 2021 and 2022, accelerating the country’s energy transition and sheltering vulnerable consumers as show-cased by this pilot initiative for more energy efficient residential buildings.

I am proud that the EU through its Service for Foreign Policy Instruments has been able to be part of the effort.

This and other initiatives we support help reduce dependence on Russian gas supplies and present first steps on the path towards a more carbon neutral future,” said Peter M. Wagner, Director of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments, European Commission, during his visit at the residential apartment block located on Bulgară Street.

The centralised heating system is considered the most efficient, especially if it works in cogeneration, that is, it generates both heat and electricity.

Currently, in Chișinău there are over 200,000 apartments located in more than 3800 blocks, connected to the centralised heating system.

With a budget of EUR 13 million , under the "Addressing the impact of the energy crisis in the Republic of Moldova" programme, implemented by UNDP, the European Union supported the creation of the compensatii. gov.md platform and launched a campaign to replace old household appliances with new and energy efficient ones. The programme finances the installation of photovoltaic panels in family-type children's homes and several hospitals.

In addition, the programme provides support for the transposition of the EU's Third Energy Package into both primary and secondary legislation, as well as the transposition of a number of Directives and Regulations of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, which address the energy performance of buildings, renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, good governance and electricity market design.

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With the support of the European Union, more than 290 students and teachers from the “Matei Basarab” Lyceum in Basarabeasca benefit from improved study conditions On Friday, 24 November 2023, the inauguration of the European Union-funded project on increasing energy efficiency at the “Matei Basarab” Theoretical Lyceum took place in Basarabeasca. The event was attended by the Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the representative of the German Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, the management of the Regional Development Agency (RDA) South, GIZ Moldova, local public authorities, representatives of the construction company, residents of Basarabeasca and representatives of civil society, as well as students and teachers of the Lyceum.

Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova: “The energy efficiency upgrade of the "Matei Basarab" Lyceum building is an outstanding

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example of sustainability and responsibility towards the climate and the environment by reducing its carbon footprint. We are delighted that through joint efforts we have created better study and working conditions for the pupils, teachers and technical staff who learn and work here. The modernisation works of the Basarabeasca Lyceum, such as the installation of solar panels, better heating and ventilation systems, improved insulation, replacement of windows and renovation of the roof, will reduce energy consumption by more than 50% annually, thus saving funds which can be reinvested in other Lyceum development projects. Furthermore, energy efficiency contributes positively to Moldova's path towards alignment with EU standards on environmental protection and climate change prevention, especially in the context of the European Commission's positive opinion on the start of accession negotiations with the European Union.”

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The “Matei Basarab” Theoretical Lyceum was renovated and improved its energy efficiency following the implementation of 15 investment measures. Thus, the building envelope (2.708 sq.m.) was thermally insulated and provided with renewable energy by installing 35 photovoltaic panels, the lyceum and its grounds were illuminated (9 poles and 32W lighting fixtures), the lyceum classrooms were provided with ventilation and fire protection systems and sanitary inventory. An access path for people with special needs was built, the institution’s kitchen was modernized and supplied with technical equipment. These works were carried out in 2020-2021 by SRL “Polimer Gaz Conducte”.

The total value of the “Improving the energy efficiency of the “Matei Basarab” Theoretical Lyceum in Basarabeasca” project is around 25.28 million lei, of which 25.08 million lei is European Union funding and 0.2 million lei -

co-financing from the Basarabeasca Rayon Council. Following the implementation of the project, the annual normalized energy consumption at the Theoretical Lyceum in Basarabeasca has been reduced by about 286 MWh and the annual normalized CO2 emissions - by about 62 tons.

The investment measure “Increasing energy efficiency of “Matei Basarab” Theoretical Lyceum” is funded by the European Union and implemented by the South Regional Development Agency under the “Construction of water supply and sanitation infrastructure as well as energy efficiency in public buildings” project. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ (Moldova) in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The total budget of the project is 39.8 million Euro.

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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE National authorities, individual national experts and students in the Republic of Moldova learnt about using the COPERNICUS datasets for high resolution monitoring of ecosystem dynamics The EU4Environment Water & Data Programme has, among others, the objective to improve land and agriculture monitoring data. In this context, on 12-13 December, in Chișinău was organized a Workshop on

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“High-resolution monitoring of ecosystem dynamics using Copernicus datasets”. At the workshop participated the representatives of national authorities, individual experts, professors from universities and students.

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The workshop introduced the Copernicus land monitoring component to the participants. A detailed overview of available datasets was given. In addition, a focus was put on how to find and access the respective datasets through different data portals. The main part of the workshop was constituted by three case studies, where selected Copernicus - as well as national datasets were used to: 1) investigate shrinking of lakes due to low rainfalls and high temperatures, 2) to identify deforestation and establish

links to illegal logging activities, and 3) to analyze inter-annual changes in vegetation cover and productivity. Step-by-step, the participants were guided through the exercises in Copernicus data browsers, such as the SentinelHub EO Browser, and QGIS. Also, the participants learnt where to find and how to use the Copernicus datasets for monitoring wildfires, surface water and air pollution, how to calculate the humidity in the soil, how to calculate the water volume in the lakes using satellite images, etc.

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Transboundary water management: Moldova-Ukraine cooperation meeting in November Moldova and Ukraine met on 2-3 November 2023 for the XVIII Meeting of Plenipotentiaries, organised with the support of the EU4Environment Water Resources and Environmental Data Programme.

This event marks an important step in

their ongoing cooperation in the field of transboundary water management, guided by the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Joint Use and Protection of Transboundary Waters signed by both countries in Chișinău on 23 November 1994.

Recognising the spirit of cooperation despite difficult times

Joint water monitoring and river basin planning on the Dniester and Prut rivers

At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Radu Cazacu, Deputy Director of the Agency "Apele Moldovei", authorised by the Government of the Republic of Moldova for the implementation of the Agreement, stressed the importance of the resumption of the joint meetings and welcomed the Ukrainian delegation, appreciating its presence and its contribution to the maintenance of cooperation, despite the war in Ukraine.

Moldova and Romania presented information on surface water quantity and quality, groundwater monitoring and progress, as well as problems encountered in sharing and protecting the waters of the Dniester basin.

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The Environmental Agency of the Republic of Moldova is responsible for monitoring the quality of surface waters in the Republic of Moldova at points mutually agreed between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.

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The agenda included the development of management plans for hydrographic basin districts in both countries. Representatives of the "Apele Moldovei" agency gave an insight into the first cycle of the management plan for the Danube-Prut and Black Sea hydrographic basin districts. The results of external assistance projects were also presented.

Extending cooperation with Romania Another important issue discussed was the newly signed Trilateral Declaration on Cooperation in the Management of International Water Issues in the Prut River Basin between the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine.

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European Union supports the sustainable management in the Republic of Moldova The Government of the Republic of Moldova recently approved the National Waste Management Programme for 2023-2027.

The Programme entails legal improvements, aims to reduce generated waste volumes, and

The Programme foresees the following until 2027: » Development of a sustainable waste management system that ensures a healthy and safe environment for citizens. » Increasing by up to 60% the recovery and recycling rate of products (especially those subject to extended producer responsibility schemes).

to strengthen infrastructure as well as public awareness in the domain. UNEP supported the development of the Programme as part of the EU-funded EU4Environment Programme.

The Programme also contains over 50 priority actions for Moldova’s main waste flows, such as municipal waste, biodegradable waste, packaging waste, waste electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, obsolete road vehicles and tires, waste oils, toxic wastes, as well as construction and demolition waste, among others. The total cost for implementing the Programme is estimated at 4 402 30,8 thousand lei.

» Develop 4 regional waste depots and ensure that 25% of waste generated is properly treated for recycling and/or safe disposal.

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waste

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Eco-labelling and Sustainable Public Procurement promoted in Moldova with the EU4Environment support Capacity building events on ecolabelling and sustainable public procurement in the Republic of Moldova and EaP region, dedicated to business entities, public institutions and associations took place in November 2023 within UNEP-led activities under EU4Environment - Green Economy.

Public procurement, which accounts for up to 20 percent of GDP in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, offers a largely untapped opportunity to drive business and domestic markets to innovate and increase sustainability.

Ecological labels or “eco-labels” can support SPP by providing information on the environmental performance of products and services throughout their lifecycle. Eco-labels can take many forms (written claims or declarations, tables or matrices, and labels or logos), helping the

By purchasing more sustainable goods, works and services, governments can improve our environment and quality of life.

Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) is about spending public funds on products/ services/projects that promote sustainable development and a green economy transition.

International, European, national and other standards can encourage manufacturers to implement sustainable management and production systems.

ever-growing environmentally-conscious consumer base to easily identify products that meet certain environmental criteria.

For businesses, eco-labels are a means of measuring, communicating and marketing their environmental credentials.

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In the Republic of Moldova, UNEP in close cooperation with the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Moldova implements a set of activities on promotion and application of SPP. It includes improvement of the legislation to introduce the SPP provisions, elaboration of complementary tools (bylaws, guidelines, training and communication materials), identification of priority goods and services for SPP pilot tenders accompanied by elaboration of the sustainability criteria per prioritised products.

Raising awareness of governmental authorities, as well as the business sector, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and business associations on the SPP benefits is envisaged in order to build capacity of business to respond to public tenders.

Thus, on 8-9 November 2023 the training Seminar on Sustainable Public Procurement in the Republic of Moldova for the representatives of contracting authorities, economic operators, employees of the PPA, control entities took place. The objectives of the training seminar included the presentation on the current status, legal framework and perspectives of promotion and application of SPP in the Republic of Moldova; presentation of 5 priority products for SPP identified in the result the prioritization exercise and market readiness in the country; presentation of technical specifications and sustainability criteria for 5 prioritized product groups; and training of the participant on how to use the elaborated specifications and sustainability criteria for SPP pilot tenders.

More information: https://www.eu4environment.org/events/ training-seminar-on-sustainable-publicprocurement-in-the-republic-of-moldova/ The national event was complimented with capacity building at the local level. Two trainings on Sustainable Public Procurement took place in Bălți (21 November 2023, for

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the North rayons) and Cimișlia (23 November 2023, for Centre and South rayons), Republic of Moldova.

More information: h t t p s : // w w w. e u 4 e n v i r o n m e n t . o r g / events/trainings-on-sustainable-publicprocurement-in-balti-and-cimislia/ The capacity building in the domain at the regional level continued with the Regional workshop on Sustainable Public Procurement and eco-labelling on 14 November 2023.

The major objectives of the event were to: highlight key achievements on SPP and eco-labelling in the EU4Environment project countries in the period 2019-2023; present case studies on SPP and eco-labelling from EU member states and from the EaP region; discuss challenges and lessons learned in promoting SPP and eco-labelling in the EaP region; and identify national and regional stakeholders, networks and/ or mechanisms for continued promotion of SPP and eco-labelling in EaP countries beyond EU4Environment.

The event was attended by the representatives from EaP countries’ government institutions, academia, business associations, non-profit organizations and civil society, as well as EU4Environment implementing agencies.

More information: https://www.eu4environment.org/events/ regional-workshop-on-sustainable-publicprocurement-and-eco-labelling/

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Sustainable Public Procurement and eco-labelling in the Republic of Moldova: main results achieved Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) changes the way in which our governments purchase goods and services, thereby driving markets towards sustainability and innovation.

The Republic of Moldova with support from the EU-funded programme EU4Environment was achieved: » Governmental Decree on SPP drafted. » Progress report on SPP with identified list of activities prepared. » Products for SPP pilot tenders prioritized (with a focus on organic food, isolated windows and doors, computers, cars and papers) and technical specifications and sustainability criteria elaborated.

» Regulation on eco-labelling aligned with the EU Regulation on eco-labelling drafted, discussed at the public hearings and approved; National ecolabel designed.

E-library on Procurement:

Sustainable

Public

» SPP in Moldova (English | Romanian) » Food production and catering services (English | Romanian) » SPP for procurers (English | Romanian) » Progress on implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement in Moldova (2017-2020)

» Assessment on market readiness for SPP tenders prepared.

» Prioritization of products to support the transition to a green economy

» Assessment and Roadmap on ecolabelling conducted.

» Sustainable Public Procurement – what we need to know (English | Romanian)

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E-library on eco-labelling: » Eco-labelling factsheet (English | Romanian) » Eco-labelling in Moldova (English | Romanian) » Eco-labelling system in the Republic of Moldova (English | Romanian) » Assessment of eco-labelling system in the Republic of Moldova in line with the EU requirements (English | Romanian)

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» Roadmap for establishing a national eco-labelling system by transposing the Regulation (EC) no 66/2010 of the European Parliament of the Council of 25 November 2009 (English | Romanian) » Eco-labelling - what we need to know (English | Romanian) Source: https://www.eu4environment.org/ sustainable-public-procurement-and-ecolabelling-in-the-republic-of-moldova/

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RESILIENT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Kindergarten children in Ungheni build and program robots Kindergarten “Steluța” is one of the seven pre-school institutions in Ungheni that has been equipped with tablets, LEGO® sets, computers, interactive whiteboards and projectors, thanks to which more than 2,000

children can develop their digital skills and competencies. Robotics lessons, part of digital education, kicked off in September 2023 and have quickly become a favourite with children.

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The carousel and other designs Seated at their desks, with a tablet and a LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential set in front of them, the children of the Ungheni kindergarten “Steluța” begin their robotics lesson. Under the guidance of three teachers – robotics trainers – every two weeks the little ones gather in a well-equipped room to learn how to build and program robots.

“Robots are not just assembled, they also do other things: they move, they light up – this is very impressive for children and motivates them to do robotics,” explains Maxim Tishko, one of the robotics trainers.

Maxim Tishko, along with two other fellow educators, supervises and instructs children in robot programming.

“First we get the children interested, create a plot and get them in the mood, and then the actual programming begins. We try to integrate robotics topics with the topics that children study in classes, so that there is continuity,” says robotics trainer Aliona Grushka.

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The carousel is one of the many designs that children can assemble with the available sets. They can also assemble helicopters, ferries and cars.

“The lego building ideas are very diverse, and programming is easy, even though at first glance it may seem complicated. First, we taught the children how to use digital devices: how to turn on the tablet, how to open an app, how to turn off the tablet,” adds Aliona Grushka.

Educators become robotics trainers Robotics classes started in Ungheni kindergartens, preceded by a series of trainings for educators. Lucia Gavriliuc, director of the kindergarten “Steluța”, notes that three staff members of the kindergarten have been trained to conduct robotics classes in the preparatory groups.

In May-June and September this year, 19 educators from seven kindergartens in Ungheni participated in a robotics training program. During the trainings, the participants discovered several interactive tablet games and learned how to use LEGO® sets.

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Robotics stimulates creativity and develops fine motor skills Ana Melnic has two children, and her six-year-old daughter Alexandra attends robotics classes.

“I was sceptical at first and didn't expect the lessons to be like this,” Ana says.

But within a few months of starting the classes, Ana began to notice positive changes in behaviour and development.

“Alexandra has become much more attentive, inquisitive, and has learned to learn through play. Lego has become her favourite toy even at home.”

Irina Cojocaru is a robotics trainer at the kindergarten “Steluța” and Victoria's mother, her daughter, also attends robotics classes.

While previously the children were used to traditional constructors like LEGO® that they assembled at home, without motors and without programming, within a few months they had mastered the basics of robotics and learned additional skills.

The educators also note that robotics makes children more responsible, persistent, attentive, and fosters the desire to work in groups.

In 2022-2023, within the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, kindergartens in Ungheni and Cahul municipalities were equipped with interactive whiteboards, projectors, computers, colour printers, tablets and LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential sets worth more than €146,000.

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Moldova LEADER IT Software: IT-tool that brings digital transformation to rural development In today’s era of digital technology, adapting and using innovative IT-solutions has become essential to facilitate programme implementation and improve communication between stakeholders. In this context, the Moldova LEADER IT Software (MLIS) emerged as a revolutionary solution for the digitization of the LEADER Programme in the Republic of Moldova: on the 6th of December 2023, the Government of the Republic of Moldova approved the MLIS Concept.

The Moldova LEADER IT Software was developed by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova as part of the ‘EU4Moldova: Local Communities Project’. It will be transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry for management as it represents a systematized set of data on Local Action Groups (LAGs), registered projects, their related data and stages of project evaluation, implementation and reporting. The MLIS information system will become the official source of information on the profile and activities of LAGs in the Republic of Moldova.

In order to explore the MLIS system and get acquainted with its functionalities, three workshops dedicated to Local Action Groups from the central, southern and northern regions were organized in November and December.

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MLIS is an innovative IT-solution with a significant impact on the digitization of the LEADER Programme in the Republic of Moldova. By simplifying processes and improving communication between stakeholders, MLIS contributes to promoting sustainable rural development, systemizing and maximizing the results achieved through programme implementation. With the help of this platform, the Republic of Moldova is on the way to a modern and efficient rural development.

The National LEADER programme was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry in 2022 and contributes to the efficient and longterm development of rural areas in the Republic of Moldova. The programme allows Local Action Groups across the country to access up to 5% of the National Fund for Agricultural and Rural Development. Thus, the Republic of Moldova has become the first and so far, the only country outside the EU to implement the LEADER approach as a public policy tool for rural development.

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Moldova LEADER IT Software was developed within the “EU4Moldova: Local Communities” programme, financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland–Polish aid; and jointly implemented by the German

Development Cooperation through GIZ, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL) in Moldova.

Software development was co-financed

by ESTDEV and implemented within the “Innovative and digital solutions to support Moldovan rural development” project by Tartu County Development Association.

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EaPConnect partner RENAM supports Moldova’s new cervical cancer screening network Women in the Republic of Moldova will experience enhanced cervical cancer screening and prevention services thanks to the National Colposcopy Network, launched on 2 November 2023. The network uses videoconferencing services provided by

RENAM, the country’s research and education network and partner in the ‘EU4Digital: Connecting Research and Education Communities (EaPConnect)’ project to help the new system to run smoothly.

The official inauguration of the new network took place at the National Colposcopy Referral Centre in the Research Institute for Mother and Child Health Care on 2 November 2023. The national network consists of 12 offices across the country where women will be provided with better access to services for early detection of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer.

The platform allows multiple images from one location to be viewed and communicated online, and provides video guidance for the ‘in vivo’ medical examination. The platform also uses encryption protocols for text in chats and audio-video to ensure the security of the data transmitted online.

Specialists from the National Colposcopy Referral Centre will provide online guidance and support to gynaecologists operating in the regional offices using a videoconferencing system based on the BigBlueButton platform provided by RENAM, which also provides technical support.

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The network’s medical personnel underwent three training sessions to learn how to use the technology. The sessions were conducted in test mode, simulating real conditions as closely as possible.

More details are available via the EaPConnect article.

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The activity of an agricultural company in Cahul has been modernised thanks to a grant for digitalisation, provided by the European Union and Sweden Veaceslav Burlacu is the administrator of an agricultural company in the city of Cahul, founded on the basis of an ex-Soviet enterprise. The young man has been active within it since 2012.

Forage lucerne is exported in bales to the United Arab Emirates, and the other products are sold in the country,"

"We produce wheat, barley, sunflower, rapeseed, corn, and for two years we have also been lucerne producers.

In order to streamline the processes within the company, in the spring of this year, Veaceslav decided to participate in the Digital Impact program of the Startup City Cahul project and obtained a grant worth over 700,000 lei.

said Veaceslav Burlacu.

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"The total value of the project with which we participated in the program was over 860 thousand lei, of which we contributed 20 percent. We were already in a digitization process, some stages were being carried out, but we had stopped because of the high costs. This grant allowed us to benefit to the maximum from the digitization processes", the administrator of the agricultural company also stated.

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According to the young man, the Digital Impact program gave him the opportunity to implement the Farming Management system within the company. The new system monitors several technological processes, including the movement of tractors, diesel consumption, the evolution of workers' wages and others.

Veaceslav Burlacu encourages other entrepreneurs to apply to the programs implemented by Startup City Cahul.

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"These programs are very good for those who need financial support, whether they are at the beginning of the journey or have been active for a long time, but need the digitization of processes in the company.

The effects can be seen immediately", said the young man.

Digital Impact is a program through which companies in the Cahul region, who wanted to digitize their internal processes and innovate, accessed funding in the amount of a maximum of 780 thousand lei.

Digitization initiatives were implemented through third-party IT companies, selected through open competition. At the same time, each beneficiary of the program contributed at least 20% of the total value of the digitization initiative.

The Digital Impact Program: Focus on Cahul was carried out by Startup Moldova, with financial support from the EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul project, implemented by ATIC and financed by the European Union in partnership with Sweden.

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Young innovators from the Southern region received awards at "Cahul Hacks for Sustainable Goods" Hackathon EU Innovation Center Cahul – INOTEK held, between November 11-12, the "Cahul Hacks for Sustainable Goods", part of the DigiEduHack initiative. During the twoday competition, 30 participants divided into nine teams developed projects with a positive impact on the environment.

The ENGINECO team, made up of students from the Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu State University in Cahul, took first place. They presented an innovative prototype of an installation for water decontamination by means of ultraviolet rays. This solution is dedicated to purifying water from local supply sources, such as wells and springs, or for treating waste water.

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Guided by several mentors, pupils and students built working prototypes, using various technologies and artificial intelligence. Afterwards, a professional jury selected the best projects.

"We received awards and diplomas for the presented project and we are very happy to have become the winners of this competition.

We want to thank the Inotek team for giving us the opportunity to participate in such an important event in the field of educational innovation", said Daniel Lungu, 1st place winner.

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The second place was won by the students of the "Iulia Hașdeu" College from Cahul, who created the prototype of a recycling center for end-of-use electronics. The students of the "Dmitrie Cantemir" Theoretical High School from Cantemir town obtained the third place, as they presented a project on recycling cigarette butts and turning them into paper.

“Cahul Hacks for Sustainable Goods” was organized by the EU Innovation Center Cahul - INOTEK. The center was launched in partnership with the State University "Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu" from Cahul and the Cahul City Hall with the financial support of the European Union and the Swedish Embassy within EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul, a project implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies.

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Small entrepreneurs in the digital age: success story of the Munteanu couple from Cahul Alexandru and Natalia Munteanu run a small family business in Cahul, an enterprise that allows them not only to ensure their existence, but also to make big plans for the future. The history of the business, which they consider "the third child in the family", began in 2010, when they entered the local transport market, providing car towing and vehicle evacuation services with the help of specialized platforms. In 2021, the enterprise expanded its scope of activity, also offering excavation services.

"We have divided the responsibilities in the enterprise. I take care of the accounting, bureaucratic part, participation in projects, digitization, and my husband takes care of the most important part - the provision of services." says Natalia Munteanu.

Although the company is already known on the local market, the Munteanu couple decided to develop their business using new technologies.

"Digitalizing the business is my idea, because I consider it an advantage that we know each other in the city face to face, but the generations that are growing up, our children already manage their activities with the help of the Internet. That's why we participated in many programs and trainings that allow us to move to another level of development",

Through Startup City Cahul, the Munteanu couple participated in several programs and courses, such as: Digital Upgrade, ICT4 Women, web page development courses.

There they studied sales analysis, content marketing, digital business marketing, social networks, human resources and operational processes, information that allowed them to systematize their work processes. Another important step in the development of the business was the development of a company website, created with the help of the Small Grants Program for SMEs.

the entrepreneur also mentions.

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In addition to business digitization programs, the Munteanu couple also attend meetings organised by the Inotek center in Cahul, where they can exchange experience and socialize with other entrepreneurs. Everything to be aware of the development trends of the city of Cahul, in which they see not only their own future, but also the future of their children.

The EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul is implemented by ATIC and financed by the European Union, in partnership with the Swedish Embassy.

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This newsletter is produced within the framework of the project “Visibility of EU and EU assistance in 2023 in the Republic of Moldova”. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Particip GmbH. Contact data: The European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova: Delegation-Moldova@eeas.europa.eu Editorial team: Svetlana Japalau, Team Leader, Particip GmbH svetlana.japalau@particip.com Natalia Ionel, Strategic Communications Expert, Particip GmbH, natalia.ionel@particip.com The content of this publication is the exclusive responsibility of the Particip GmbH and the editorial team, and it does not in any way reflect the official opinion of the European Union.