EU and UNDP support Moldova in strengthening anti-corruption efforts
Together with UNDP, the European Union (EU) will support the capacities of national authorities to fight electoral corruption and illicit political financing, thus contributing to a fair and democratic election process for the Moldovan people.
For this, the EU is mobilizing EUR 2.3 million for the joint project “Resilient Democracy through Anti-Corruption”.
“Moldova’s democracy is more than ever being targeted by malign interference. But the people of Moldova deserve clean processes, notably in this important voting season. Thanks to this project, institutions will have sharper tools, stronger coordination, and legal mechanisms in line with global standards — all essential for protecting electoral integrity and strengthening Moldova’s democratic future,” commented Peter M. Wagner, Head of the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
“The Central Electoral Commission welcomes the launch of the EU-UNDP project ‘Resilient Democracy through Anti-Corruption’, which will safeguard the integrity of electoral processes by enhancing transparency in political financing and strengthening the capacities of institutions tasked with combating electoral corruption. This initiative marks a significant step forward for a democratic society committed to upholding European values,” mentioned Angelica Caraman, President of the Central Electoral Commission.
“We welcome this funding from the European Union that will contribute to improved anti-corruption governance in the Republic of Moldova. The UNDP – EU partnership will translate into strengthened institutional capacities to prevent and combat corruption, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and legal frameworks aligned with international standards. These efforts are critical to promoting electoral integrity and fostering broader civic resilience and participation,” said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
With the funding provided by the European Union, specialized tools, methodologies, and technical assistance will be provided to law enforcement agencies to enhance the capacities for detecting, preventing, investigating, and prosecuting electoral corruption. This will contribute to addressing urgent governance challenges and safeguarding electoral integrity. Additionally, the project will support anti-money laundering and financial regulatory institutions to reinforce legal mechanisms that prevent illicit political financing and money laundering.
To strengthen investigation capacities, specialized equipment and software will be provided to four law enforcement and investigation institutions: the National Anti-Corruption Centre, the Office for Prevention and Combatting of Money Laundering, the General Police Inspectorate, and the General Prosecutor’s Office. Information-sharing and coordination among the respective institutions will be enhanced.
Raising awareness campaigns and civic education initiatives will be conducted to increase understanding of the consequences of electoral corruption and empower citizens to make independent and informed electoral choices. In parallel, the project will enhance civil society and investigative journalists’ capacities to expose electoral corruption, increase transparency and foster greater civic engagement.
In the long term, the project will support the Republic of Moldova’s efforts to align national legal frameworks with EU standards, expand institutional capacities and promote public resilience and effective oversight.
