32 Civil Society Organizations in Moldova Receive Grants from the European Union to Implement Consultation Mechanisms and Promote Democracy at the Local Level
Through the INSPIRED Moldova project, the European Union has awarded grants to 32 civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Republic of Moldova, totaling 622 000 EURO, to support local democracy, community development, and the building of sustainable trust-based relationships between citizens and public authorities.
Managed by People in Need (PIN) and the European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA), these grants will help local organisations create spaces where ordinary people—from small villages to large municipalities—can come together, raise their voices, and take part in shaping public policy. At the heart of these initiatives is the belief that decisions are better when made together. Whether it’s about how a local budget is spent, how services are delivered or how community priorities are set, the main objective is to ensure that citizens are not just consulted, but genuinely involved.
Among the most important activities of the projects, which will run for a maximum of 18 months, will be the creation and operation of local participatory consultation platforms—spaces where citizens can express their opinions, share ideas, and influence local policies that affect their daily lives. These initiatives also aim to revitalize the public consultation framework, with a special focus on engaging youth, women, and underrepresented groups.
By placing these voices at the center of public debate, the selected organizations are working to ensure that no one is left out of the conversation. Another essential element of the CSOs’ mission is the promotion of good governance and the establishment of genuine dialogue between citizens and public institutions. In this regard, interactive workshops, civic forums, and dialogue sessions will be organized—not only as platforms for expression, but also as tools to encourage active participation.
Citizens will be motivated to share their perspectives, propose solutions, and contribute directly to decision-making processes by signing mutual commitment documents, thus strengthening trust and cooperation between the community and local authorities. At the national level, the selected CSOs will contribute to the development and implementation of policies, standards, and best practices that promote equality and inclusion—especially for voters with disabilities and individuals with special needs. These efforts aim to make Moldova’s electoral processes more accessible and democratic.
Additionally, the projects will support participatory budgeting mechanisms, enabling citizens—especially young people—to directly influence how local funds are allocated. These tools foster accountability, transparency, and deeper civic involvement in decision-making. “We have seen how important it is to support civil society organizations that foster citizen participation at the local level — where change truly begins. The European Union remains a development partner, not just a donor, and will continue to support civic engagement, democratic education, and capacity building. In a context where the operating space for CSOs is increasingly shrinking, it is essential that they are equipped to face these challenges,” said Irina Beșliu, Civil Society Program Officer, EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
Together, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive, transparent, and participatory local governance culture across Moldova. In the long term, these initiatives are expected to strengthen trust between communities and institutions, improve the implementation of public policies, and lay the groundwork for a more resilient and democratic society.
The INSPIRED Moldova project (2024–2027) aims to strengthen civil society participation in policy dialogue at all levels in the context of Moldova’s European path and a culture of civic participation and open dialogue between citizens and authorities is encouraged, in line with democratic values and participatory governance. INSPIRED Moldova is a project funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium consisting of: European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, CONTACT Center, CPR Moldova, Democracy Reporting International (DRI) and People in Need (PIN).
