Civil Society Gala 2026: seven civil society organisations from the Republic of Moldova awarded by the European Union for excellence, solidarity and impact
The European Union Civil Society Awards Gala 2026 celebrates civil society organisations and initiatives that bring real change to communities, contribute to better public policies, and support democracy, social inclusion and sustainable development. The Gala recognises the impact of projects implemented by civil society with financial support from the European Union, while highlighting the sector’s essential role in the Republic of Moldova’s European integration path. Organised annually by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the European Union Civil Society Awards Gala 2026 — hereinafter referred to as the Civil Society Gala — is dedicated to recognising excellence, fostering solidarity and promoting civic engagement.
Seven civil society organisations from the Republic of Moldova were recognised and awarded during the ninth edition of the Civil Society Gala. They were selected for their professionalism, impactful initiatives and good practices in project implementation.
For the first time, in recognition of the exceptional achievements of the nominated organisations, two organisations were awarded in the “Stronger Governance” category.
The awardees of the ninth edition of the Civil Society Gala, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, are:
• The National Assistance and Information Centre for NGOs in Moldova “CONTACT Centre” — “Stronger Governance” Award;
- Public Association “Clubul Femeilor Golubka” from Basarabeasca — “Stronger Governance” Award;
- Public Association “VICON” from Căușeni — “Stronger Society” Award;
- Public Association “Inima Nordului” from Ocnița — “Stronger Economy” Award;
- Public Association “Academia de Creație și Inovații Mediatice (Zona de Securitate)” — “Resilience to Disinformation” Award;
- Public Association “Hai Moldova” — “Sustainable Development and Green Energy” Award;
- Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims “Memoria” — “Promotion of Gender Equality” Award.
“Behind every community that is reborn, every person who receives support at the right time, and every voice that begins to be heard, there is often a civil society organisation. These people work with patience, empathy and courage where support matters most. They build trust, bring solutions and give concrete meaning to our values: dignity, solidarity, inclusion and responsibility. Through these awards, the European Union pays tribute to those who turn civic engagement into a real force for change for Moldova,” stated Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
The organisations were awarded for their contribution to the development of local communities, for significant achievements in the social field, for promoting energy efficiency, as well as for their efforts to strengthen society’s resilience against disinformation and manipulation.
Special attention was given to civil society organisations that have delivered tangible results at the local level, reflecting one of the European Union’s key priorities: strengthening civil society across all regions of the Republic of Moldova.
The Civil Society Gala 2026 brought together representatives of civil society, public authorities, development partners and the media to recognise initiatives that have demonstrated professionalism, transparency and meaningful impact on communities.
Background information
European Union support for civil society organisations in the Republic of Moldova
There are approximately 5,000 active civil society organisations in the Republic of Moldova out of 13,000 registered organisations. Civil society makes a significant contribution to the country’s democratic, economic and social development, including by promoting European values and supporting the Republic of Moldova’s aspirations for European integration.
The European Union has been supporting civil society in the Republic of Moldova for more than 20 years. EU bilateral support for civil society, provided through the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility, the Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organisations, and the Thematic Programme for Human Rights and Democracy, amounts to EUR 28 million for the period 2021–2024.
For the period 2025–2027, the European Union is providing civil society organisations in the Republic of Moldova with total support of approximately EUR 40.5 million. The support currently allocated focuses on strengthening society’s resilience; protecting human rights defenders; social policies; strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations and their thematic platforms; promoting multi-level governance and inclusive decision-making in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the EU; as well as support for media and investigative journalism.
European Union Civil Society Awards Gala
The European Union Civil Society Awards Gala aims to recognise the role of civil society as a driver of positive and impactful change for the benefit of citizens. The European Civil Society Awards are also granted to NGOs that have demonstrated tangible and sustainable results through EU-funded initiatives at national, regional and local levels, and that have had a positive and lasting impact on democracy, economic development and social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova, while promoting European values.
The first edition of the European Union Civil Society Awards Gala was organised by the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova in 2018.
For more details about European Union–Republic of Moldova cooperation, please visit:
www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/moldova_en и www.EU4Moldova.eu
https://www.facebook.com/EUDelegationMoldova
https://www.youtube.com/@EUDelegationMoldova
https://www.flickr.com/photos/euinmoldova/
