Events

Chișinău, July 10, 2026 – Representatives of the private sector, public authorities, European institutions, and leading international experts gathered today for the national conference “New Era of Data Protection: Implementation of the GDPR” – an event dedicated to supporting businesses in preparing for the Republic of Moldova’s new data protection framework aligned with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Organized by the EU – and Denmark-funded project ‘Moldova is Europe – Support for EU integration’ and the National Centre for Personal Data Protection, the conference provided a platform for dialogue on the practical implications of the new legislation, the responsibilities of businesses, and the opportunities arising from closer alignment with European data protection standards.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Victoria Muntean, Director of the National Centre for Personal Data Protection, and Martina Spernbauer, Team Leader on Governance at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, who emphasized the importance of strengthening personal data protection as part of Moldova’s European integration process and the country’s commitment to building a trusted digital economy.

The keynote address was delivered by Tamar Kaldani, Data Protection Commissioner at the Council of Europe, who outlined the essential pillars for building an effective data protection system, including a modern legal framework, an independent supervisory authority, and a strong culture of compliance.

Participants also heard from Max Schrems, Honorary Chairman of NOYB – European Center for Digital Rights, who shared insights into the evolution of GDPR implementation across Europe, highlighting lessons learned from enforcement practice and the future of digital rights.

Participants were familiarized with Moldova’s new data protection law, explaining the key obligations for organizations, the implementation timeline, and the expectations of the supervisory authority.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in four thematic panel discussions covering the practical aspects of GDPR compliance. International experts from Latvia, Malta, Italy, and Slovenia discussed data subject rights, data protection impact assessments, information security, the role of data protection officers, certification mechanisms and codes of conduct, as well as GDPR enforcement, investigations, cross-border cooperation, and the determination of administrative fines.

The conference offered participants practical guidance and an opportunity to exchange experiences with some of Europe’s leading data protection practitioners, helping organizations better understand the steps required to achieve compliance under the new legal framework.

The event reflects Moldova’s continued efforts to align its personal data protection system with European standards, strengthen legal certainty for businesses, and promote responsible processing of personal data in an increasingly digital economy.

Two sunny days, 8 and 9 of July, were historical for the 120+ interns of the two Internship programmes – one joint of the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Moldova and that financed from the national budget – as they got familiarized with each other, Programme peculiarities, and strengthened their soft skills.

A boot camp is organized yearly at the beginning of the Internship Programme, to provide the young people the possibility to establish closer ties, explore cooperation possibilities and integrate smoothly in the Programme.

The boot camp is the first in a series of capacity building events which awaits the participants of this year’s edition – with many more seminars, workshops, and informal networking events ahead. It was organized in the framework of the EU- and Denmark-funded project ‘Moldova is Europe – Support for EU Integration’ jointly with the State Chancellery, Centre for University Information, and Soros Moldova Foundation.

The joint Internship Programme comprises this year 64 interns who will spend two summer months working hand in hand with civil servants in public institutions, receiving a 250 Euro monthly scholarship, funded by the European Union and Denmark.

At least four Community Houses will be established for children with severe disabilities who are currently living in residential care institutions. The European Union is supporting the development of these new services through a grant competition open to civil society organizations. This initiative aims to uphold the right of children with severe disabilities to receive quality care through community-based services that better respond to their individual needs.

The establishment of the Community Houses will enable the transfer of at least 20 children with severe disabilities from residential institutions to new community-based services staffed by trained professionals who will provide individualized support and promote the children’s social inclusion. Civil society organizations with experience in developing social services are invited to submit project proposals under the grant competition launched on 9 July 2026, in Chișinău.

The funding opportunity is part of the project “Stronger Civil Society – Safer Childhood: Supporting the Transformation of the Child Protection System in the Republic of Moldova.” The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded and implemented by Keystone Moldova, CCF Moldova – Child, Community, Family, and Partnerships for Every Child.

A total of EUR 560,000 is available to support the establishment and operation of the Community Houses. Interested non-governmental organizations can find more information about the application process by following the launch event live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratComMoldova/videos/1447363477198554. The deadline for submitting applications is 3 August 2026, and the results will be announced within three months.

The project “Stronger Civil Society – Safer Childhood: Supporting the Transformation of the Child Protection System in the Republic of Moldova” aims to strengthen the role of civil society organizations and expand access to sustainable, family-centred and community-based child protection services for children at risk and their families. The project will run until January 2029 with a total budget of EUR 2.1 million.

Are you a young person active in your community? Do you want to better understand how disinformation works and how to combat it? Do you support and promote EU values? Would you like to get involved in activities to fight disinformation in your community? Are you a Russian speaker who understands Romanian? The “Media-Guard” Association invites you to apply for the Youth Information Resilience Camp, organized from August 3–5, 2026, in a picturesque location outside Chișinău.

What is the Information Resilience Camp?

It is an intense 3-day experience dedicated to young leaders who want to get involved in combating disinformation and promoting European values in their communities. For three days, you will learn, connect with other active young people from across the country, and become part of the national “Disinfo-fighters” network—young people prepared to educate and inspire their peers in the fight against online manipulation.

What will you learn?

• How to recognize and debunk falsehoods.
• What digital tools and techniques you can use for fact-checking.
• How to effectively communicate democratic values and the right to information.
• How to organize peer-to-peer information sessions in your community.
• How to develop your own mini-media literacy campaign.

Who will provide the training?

Training and professional guidance will be provided by experts in the fight against disinformation, investigative journalists with experience in documenting and reporting on disinformation topics, and facilitators specialized in peer-to-peer education.

Who can participate?

We are looking for young people aged 16 to 30 from all regions of Moldova, including the Transnistrian region and the Gagauz Autonomy, who:

• Are active in Youth Centers, NGOs, civic groups, initiative teams, or local activism.
• Are students, young teachers, bloggers, content creators, or leaders in their circles.
• Believe in truth, transparency, and education, and are determined to fight disinformation.
• Commit to organizing training and mobilization sessions for young people in their communities after the camp.
• Understand the Romanian language.

When and how will the activities take place?

• When: August 3–5, 2026.
• Where: Outside Chișinău (the exact location will be communicated to the selected participants).
• What we provide: Transport, accommodation, meals, and training materials—all free of charge.

What happens after the camp?

You will be part of the “Disinfo-fighters” network and will receive support to conduct at least one training activity in your community with our assistance.

How to apply?

Fill out [this participation form] by July 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM. (We will select approximately 20 participants who best fit the profile and motivation of the project.)

For more details, do not hesitate to contact us at the phone number 078 094 358 or email us at colun.mariana@gmail.com.

This event is organized with the financial support of the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the project “Strengthening top-down and bottom-up resilience in the Republic of Moldova,” co-funded by the European Union. The content of this material belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

On 26 June, the Moldovan parliament adopted an oil stocks obligation in line with EU standards. The Law on the Security of Supply of Petroleum Products mandates that Moldova maintain petroleum product stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports. 

In a press release published on 30 June, the Energy Community Secretariat called this decision “the latest step in a deliberate and concerted effort to strengthen the country’s energy security and reduce its exposure to external supply shocks”.

“On the one hand, the measure is a core regulatory achievement that positions the Energy Community Contracting Party for integration with the EU’s energy markets. At the same time – given its complete dependence on oil imports, with no domestic crude oil production or refining capacity – it will be key to protecting Moldova from external shocks, ensuring the continuity of fuel supplies to its economy and citizens,” the Energy Community Secretariat explained in a press release. “Given its current import dependence, such shocks could be particularly painful. Petroleum products account for more than 40% of Moldova’s primary energy consumption. Any external crisis, regional conflict or logistical disruption can therefore quickly affect domestic supply and prices, with a particularly acute impact on the transportation and agriculture sectors.” 

The new law is designed to change that. It adopts a hybrid model, splitting the storage obligation equally between a Central Stockholding Entity and companies importing oil products – thereby dividing responsibility between the state and the market. 

Implementation is planned to be phased in gradually, allowing storage infrastructure and the market to adapt in stages.

The Government of Moldova has also launched the Central Stockholding Entity, whose establishment will enable the country to respond swiftly in the event of supply crises or major disruptions to international energy markets.

Find out more

Press release

The team from the Euro Club of Orizont High School was named the winner of the EU Accelerator 2026 programme, earning a study visit to Brussels as the grand prize. The final event showcased youth-led civic initiatives and innovative communication strategies developed across the Republic of Moldova.

The closing gala brought together young people from 10 Euro Clubs from the Republic of Moldova participated and were recognised for their engagement, creativity, and community impact.

Top three results:
1st place – Grand Prize: Euro Club of “Orizont” Theoretical High School from Durlești – study visit to Brussels
2nd place: Euro Club of “Spiru Haret” Theoretical High School, Chișinău
3rd place: Euro Club of “Constantin Stere” Theoretical High School, Soroca

Thematic awards for other participating Euro Clubs:

Creative campaign concept: Euro Club of “Nicolae Casso” Theoretical High School, Chișcăreni, Sîngerei
Community mobilisation: Euro Club of “Pan Halippa” Theoretical High School, Edineț
Intercultural communication: Euro Club of the “Pro-Europa” European Centre, Comrat
Communication creativity: Euro Club of “Constantin Spătaru” Theoretical High School, Leova
Evidence-based communication: EU Information Centre, “Alexandru Donici” District Library, Orhei
Local impact communication: Euro Club of “Ion Creangă” Theoretical High School, Fălești
Informed communities: Euro Club of “Vasile Alecsandri” Theoretical High School, Ungheni.

One of the highlights of the event was the participation of Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, who emphasised the importance of youth engagement and the role young people play in communicating facts and truth in the public sphere.

“These young people have shown that facts don’t have to be boring. Truth can be creative, visual, and powerful enough to make people stop scrolling, think, and ask questions. The European Union believes in young people – in their energy, creativity, and ability to drive change. Programmes like this are about far more than communication. They are about empowering the next generation of leaders and changemakers,” said Iwona Piórko.

Members of the winning team from Orizont High School shared their enthusiasm and reflected on what they had gained throughout the programme, highlighting the strong sense of community it created.

“Our motivation wasn’t just the opportunity to win the grand prize—a trip to Brussels. It was also about the friendships we built, the events we attended, the videos we created, and becoming more confident using platforms like Instagram and TikTok. By promoting European values, we also grew closer to one another and met incredible people—from ambassadors to young people across the country who share the same values,” said Dragomir Delinschi, a member of the winning team.

Another participant, Sofia Boț, added:

“What I enjoyed most was meeting so many people throughout the project, taking part in all the activities, and creating video content. This programme opened up many new opportunities for me, including learning more about the European Union and sharing that knowledge with others.”

The remaining teams representing Euro Clubs and EU Information Centres from across the country also received special recognitions for their innovative approaches and creative use of communication tools throughout the programme.

“We’ve been using innovative methods for quite some time, but we always try to experiment with new tools as well. This time, for example, the boys came up with the idea of creating content based on the letters of the alphabet. We found it especially exciting to do this in the Gagauz language, and it’s a format we’ll definitely continue using in the future,” said Valentina Caledji, Coordinator of the “Pro-Europa” European Centre Euro Club in Comrat.

The third edition of EU Accelerator focused on learning by doing, giving participants the opportunity to turn newly acquired knowledge into communication campaigns implemented in their own communities. Throughout the programme, participants strengthened their skills in addressing local challenges through digital tools, advocacy, and community mobilisation, demonstrating how creativity and commitment can effectively promote civic and European values.

About EU Accelerator 3.0

EU Accelerator is a practical training programme designed for young members of Euro Clubs and EU Information Centres across the Republic of Moldova. Through mentoring, hands-on workshops, and strategic guidance, the programme equips participants with the skills needed to develop evidence-based communication campaigns and creative solutions to challenges within their communities.

Between March and July 2026, a total of 90 young people from all regions of Moldova learned how to counter disinformation and communicate the benefits of European integration in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.

Moldova needs to focus on decarbonisation, ecosystem protection, and circular economy, said Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, during her first official visit to the Republic of Moldova on 29 June.

Jessica Roswall began her visit to Chisinau by participating in the first ‘Forum on Green Finance and Investment in Moldova 2026’. The event was a continuation of the dialogue that began at the EU-Moldova Investment Conference held on June 4, where investment plans and project initiatives totaling up to €641 million were announced.

At the forum, Roswall said that in Moldova, “only a fraction of the budget is being directed to environmental policy” and “there is enormous potential for action”.

The commissioner added that the EU was also looking into exactly how much funding Moldova needs to become compliant with EU environmental legislation.

“By the end of this year, we will have a much clearer idea of these financing needs – and then the hard work really begins,” the commissioner said.

Jessica Roswall also met with President Maia Sandu to discuss environmental protection, the sustainable use of water resources, climate change resilience, and reforms aimed at bringing the Republic of Moldova in line with European Union standards.

Later, Roswall met with Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalisation Eugen Osmochescu. The discussions focused on reforms in the areas of environmental protection and combating climate change.

On the same day, Roswall met with representatives of civil society organisations working on environmental issues. The discussions focused on the main challenges and necessary reforms in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s European course, and the role of NGOs in promoting transparency, public participation, and the development of more effective environmental policies.

The EU Commissioner was also invited on a tour of the Technical University of Moldova to visit the Green Tech Hub. This project, established with financial support from the European Union, aims at supporting the development of ‘green’ competencies, innovations, and sustainable solutions.

Find out more

Commissioner Roswall’s keynote address at the Green Finance and Investment Forum, Moldova

64 young people, selected from nearly 200 applicants, will spend two summer months working hand in hand with civil servants in public institutions, as part of the joint Internship Programme of the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Moldova. Students, master students and recent graduates from Moldovan and foreign universities who wish to pursue a career in the public administration will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and learn directly how civil service works, the Programme being at its fifth edition. Each month, interns will receive a 250 Euro allowance, funded by the European Union and Denmark in the framework of the ‘Moldova is Europe – Support for EU Integration’ project.

The opening ceremony marking the start of the Programme took place today, in the presence of the EU Ambassador Iwona Piórko, Danish Ambassador Søren Jensen, and Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu. The event also marked the launch of the next edition of the Government’s Internship Programme, which brings together an additional cohort of 85 young interns.

The EU official highlighted: ‘Public institutions need your ideas, your creativity, and your energy. They need people who are ready to look at challenges from a fresh perspective, to make institutions better prepared for the future. The European Union is proud to support this programme because we believe that young people are among Moldova’s greatest strengths.’

In his turn, the Secretary General of the Government, encouraged the selected young people to be actively involved in the work of the institutions where they will do their internship: ‘The public service needs initiative and courage. You decided to take this step and come to public administration with new ideas, energy and the desire to contribute to the common good.’

The Ambassador of Denmark pointed out that “This internship programme also comes at an important milestone in Moldova’s journey towards EU. As the country advances its reform agenda and aligns with EU standards and values, investing in the skills, professionalism, and leadership of young people is more important than ever.”

Graduates of the previous editions of the Programme, currently working in the civil service, shared their thoughts on ways in which the internship experience helped them secure a position as a civil servant. Those who successfully graduate the programme can enter civil service without competition and without a testing period, provided that they receive ‘very good’ as assessment from their mentors: the legal framework has been adopted in this respect after first successful editions of the Internship Programme.

The Internship programme is designed to strengthen participants’ professional skills and improve their long-term employment prospects. The experience also includes regular training sessions, seminars and workshops to enhance interns’ theoretical and practical knowledge of public administration, particularly in the context of European integration.

The previous four editions of the Programme had over 200 graduates, out of which over 20 have been employed in the civil service.

Europe Café welcomed 25 participants of the Summer School “Active Citizenship – A Strategic Priority for the Policies of EU Candidate Countries.” Organised as an Open Doors Day, the event gave future leaders the opportunity to discover the work of the European Union’s main information centre in the Republic of Moldova and discuss the country’s European integration journey.

The visit took place over the course of a full day. During a series of sessions, young people from Moldova, Romania and Ukraine learned about the mission of the European Union’s main information centre in Chișinău and its role in providing citizens with reliable, fact-based information about the values, initiatives and opportunities offered by the European Union.

One of the highlights of the programme was an open dialogue with Iulian Groza, Executive Director of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). During the discussion, he outlined the concrete steps, challenges and prospects of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession process, encouraging participants to reflect on their role as active citizens in shaping the country’s European future.

The day concluded on an interactive note with a quiz testing participants’ knowledge of the European Union’s culture, institutions and history. The most engaged participants received prizes.

The Summer School is part of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence project, Civic Education for a Resilient Democracy (CERD), implemented with the support of the European Union from 29 June to 1 July 2026.

Ten hospitals across the Republic of Moldova will soon undergo a major modernisation and energy-efficiency upgrade. The initiative will improve conditions for patients and healthcare professionals, reduce energy losses, and create safer and more comfortable environments for everyone. More than one million patients and 10,000 employees will directly benefit from these improvements, which are being implemented through the “Moldova Energy Efficiency” project.

Technical designs for each hospital are currently under development and will identify the most effective renovation solutions, ranging from the thermal insulation of buildings and the replacement of exterior windows and doors to the modernisation of heating, hot water, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

This transformation is made possible through the financial support of the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, which are investing EUR 72.4 million in the modernisation of these hospitals. The project is implemented by the Consolidated Unit for the Implementation and Monitoring of Energy Projects under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova.

The contract for the design, supply of equipment and construction of the Bălți–Suceava 400 kV overhead power line between Moldelectrica, the Moldovan transmission system operator, and the Turkish company SA-RA, the winner of the international tender, was signed today.

During the same ceremony, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, Moldelectrica, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed the Grant Agreement for the implementation of the project “Interconnection of the Electricity Networks between the Republic of Moldova and Romania – Phase II”, which includes the construction of the Bălți–Suceava 400 kV transmission line.

The agreement was signed by Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, Sergiu Carmanschi, General Director of Moldelectrica, and Giuseppe Grimaldi, Associate Director, Banking: Head of Moldova at the EBRD.

“We are building three transmission lines that will permanently reshape the energy map of the Republic of Moldova. If Vulcănești–Chișinău is the Energy Independence Line, and Strășeni–Gutinaș will become the Liberty Line, today we are taking another important step with the Bălți–Suceava project, which we have named the Resilience Line. It completes Moldova’s network of interconnections with the European Union and represents much more than infrastructure—it delivers greater energy security, stronger market competition, and more opportunities for citizens and businesses,” said Dorin Junghietu, Minister of Energy.

The new 400 kV overhead transmission line will extend approximately 45 kilometres across the territory of the Republic of Moldova and will pass through 12 rural localities in the districts of Glodeni, Fălești, Bălți and Rîșcani. The infrastructure will become a key component of the future electricity transmission corridor between the Republic of Moldova and Romania, increasing cross-border electricity exchange capacity and strengthening the security and reliability of the Moldovan power system.

„The EU is proud to support this project of national importance. With our €15.4 million grant, together with the EBRD and the EIB, we are investing in real benefits to citizen’s lives. It is about people, stability, and a shared future. Every new connection with the European energy market means greater security, more opportunities for businesses, and less vulnerability to external pressure,” said EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova Iwona Piórko.

The contract is valued at EUR 17.5 million, with an implementation period of 24 months. The project includes the construction of all infrastructure associated with a 400 kV transmission line, including tower foundations, steel structures, conductors, insulators, protection and grounding systems, as well as the integration of the new infrastructure into the operational architecture of the transmission network operated by Moldelectrica. At the same time, all activities required to ensure compliance with applicable technical, environmental and safety standards for strategic energy infrastructure projects will be carried out.

The Bălți–Suceava 400 kV transmission line is a key element in the development and modernisation of Moldova’s electricity transmission network. Once completed, it will increase the country’s level of interconnection with the Continental European power system (ENTSO-E), enhance the operational flexibility of the transmission network, and create additional opportunities for regional cross-border electricity trading.

The project will also reduce vulnerabilities associated with dependence on a limited number of electricity supply sources and routes, providing the national power system with greater resilience and an enhanced ability to respond to emergency situations.

By developing this strategic infrastructure, the Republic of Moldova is further strengthening its integration into the European energy market and continuing its alignment with European standards and best practices for electricity transmission system operation and development.

“The signing of the contract for the construction of the Bălți–Suceava 400 kV overhead transmission line marks an important milestone for the electricity sector of the Republic of Moldova. This new interconnection will enhance the reliability of the national power system, expand opportunities for cross-border electricity exchanges, and deepen Moldova’s integration into the European electricity market. At the same time, it will strengthen the resilience of the transmission network and improve its ability to respond to the challenges arising from the ongoing transformation of the regional energy sector,” said Sergiu Carmanschi, General Director of Moldelectrica.

The total value of the project is approximately EUR 77 million, including a EUR 15,4 million EU grant, covering both the construction of the Bălți–Suceava 400 kV overhead transmission line and the modernisation of the Bălți electrical substation.

Over 20 legal professionals gathered at the National Institute of Justice for a specialized training on the theoretical and practical aspects of competition law and state aid, aimed at strengthening the application of European Union competition rules in the context of Moldova’s EU accession path.

The training focused on the implementation of competition and state aid legislation in line with the EU acquis, providing participants with practical knowledge on detecting and addressing anti-competitive practices, as well as understanding the legal framework governing state aid.

During the first session, discussions covered anti-competitive agreements prohibited under competition law, including price-fixing cartels, market and customer sharing arrangements, exchanges of commercially sensitive information, bid rigging in public procurement procedures, and resale price maintenance agreements.

Participants analyzed real-life scenarios and engaged in interactive exercises, applying legal principles to concrete situations and thus deepening their understanding of competition enforcement.

The second session focused on the application of EU state aid rules in the Republic of Moldova. Judges explored the provisions of EU state aid law, including the concepts of state aid, existing and new aid, illegal aid, incompatible aid, and the recovery of unlawfully granted support.

Additional case studies examined the concept of selectivity in fiscal measures and the legal challenges associated with recovering incompatible or unlawful state aid, offering participants practical insights into the application of these principles in judicial proceedings.

The event contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of Moldova’s judicial system and legal community in the field of competition and state aid law. Enhanced understanding and consistent application of these rules are essential for ensuring fair competition, promoting transparency, and advancing the country’s alignment with European Union standards.

The training was organized in the framework of the EU- and Denmark-funded project’ Moldova is Europe – Support for EU Integration’.