EU supports the development of the mapping and cadastre systems in the Republic of Moldova

In this world where spatial data gains more importance, understanding and usability every day, the good establishment and operation of the cadastral and mapping systems in a country acquire a key role, serving as an engine for its economic development. In its role as policy maker for the cadastral sector, and both policy maker and implementer for the geodesy and mapping system, Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre (ALRC) of the Republic of Moldova hosted officials from State Geodetic Administration of the Republic of Croatia during June-July 2023, in the joint endeavour of the project partners to perform a comprehensive organisational, strategic and legal overview of the cadastre, mapping, real estate valuation, land management and soil protection systems in the Republic of Moldova, and to provide recommendations for ALRC’s alignment to a European-level Mapping and Cadastre Authority (MCA). The missions occurred within the framework of the EU Twinning Project “Improving Spatial Data Services in the Republic of Moldova following EU standards”, implemented by a consortium made of partner institutions from Croatia, the Netherlands and Poland.

This complex activity involved numerous discussions and meetings with all departments, services and units of ALRC, as well as with other institutions, the tasks and responsibilities of which cross-cut with ALRC’s legal competences. Such institutions included: State Enterprise “Institute for Geodesy, Technical Survey and Cadastre INGEOCAD”, Agency for Public Services/ Department for Cadastre, State Planning Institute for Land Management “IPOT”. Given the fact that the core ‘horizontal’ land administration functions of land tenure, value, use-planning, and development are spread across multiple departments, agencies, state enterprises, and ministries, the short-term experts analysed the legal framework with a view to identify the interconnection and clear division among the institutions’ tasks and duties, as well as the main challenges and obstacles that prevent a smooth operation of these sectors in the Republic of Moldova. As a result of the missions, appropriate recommendations were provided to improve the situation in the above sectors, following a holistic approach for all the actors involved.

Since Republic of Moldova adopted a clear pathway for its integration into the European Union and being awarded the status of candidate country in June 2022, there is a clear demand for a consolidated approach to cadastral, land registry, and real-estate information management, as well as for more fortification and development of geodesy, mapping, geo-informatics and valuation sectors, in the ultimate goal to transform ALRC into a modern and fully-functional MCA, in compliance with European norms and standards.

The Twinning project “Improving spatial data services in the Republic of Moldova following EU standards” is financed by the European Union and implemented by the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre (ALRC) of the Republic of Moldova.