59 Young People, Prepared for the Country’s European Future: The 2026 edition of the Joint EU-Denmark-Moldova Internship Programme has come to an end

A new group of young professionals has completed their internship within the joint Internship Programme of the European Union, Denmark and the Republic of Moldova, implemented within the project ‘Moldova is Europe – Support for EU Integration’. 59 students and graduates from the country and the diaspora engaged for two months in public institutions, received today their well-deserved certificates during a festive ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation Máté Csicsai and the Danish Ambassador Søren Jensen. 

The Internship Programme involved full-time activity – eight hours per day – and was focused on key topics related to the European integration process. Throughout the internship, participants were guided daily by mentors – experts of the host institutions. The young people also had the opportunity to attend weekly training sessions, as well as informal discussion with high-level national and international officials. Each intern received a monthly scholarship of Euro 250.

“I hope that for many of you the experience will continue, one day, in the public service. Because we are waiting for you at home, to put your ideas into practice and to contribute with what you know and can to the country’s European integration process. Every institution needs good, curious and energetic young people so that we can build a European Moldova at home,” said Deputy Prime Minister Gherasimov.

In turn, Máté Csicsai, Head of Political, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation, mentioned: “European integration is not an abstract political project. It is an enormous practical undertaking. The EU can provide expertise, funding and support. But Moldova’s European future will ultimately be built by Moldovans — including by your generation. I hope that, in a few years, some of you will be representing Moldova as a Member State around the table in the Council — and that some others will be sitting across that table, representing the EU institutions.”

The Ambassador of Denmark highlighted: “Wherever your careers take you, my advice is to stay engaged with your country, especially when Moldova needs all the efforts and energy on its journey to EU. Surely among you are future civil servants that will contribute to Moldova’s European future.”

The selection process was rigorous, structured in two stages: the pre-selection of application files – almost 200 in total – and the final interview, conducted in Romanian and English, before a panel composed of representatives of the EU Delegation, the Government, and the ‘Moldova is Europe’ project. The evaluation focused on knowledge of EU–Moldova relations, fluency in English, motivation, and other relevant skills.

“I would like to thank everyone who made this experience so beautiful for us. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity: both I and my colleagues had the opportunity to better understand how the public system works from the inside. I am grateful for all the people I met, for the debates we had, for the information sessions and, of course, for the connections we created,” said Afina Scutari, a graduate of the programme who completed her internship at the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family.

Graduates who obtained positive evaluations may benefit from direct employment in their host institution, provided they complete an additional month of internship.

Since the initiative’s launch in 2022, more than 200 young people have taken part in the programme, and 21 of them have been employed in public institutions. The programme continues to create real opportunities for young people, offering them a platform to launch a career in public service.