Events

‘Agence du Service Civique’, a French national agency, invites youth workers, youth project managers, youth policy makers, and youth researchers to take part in a European seminar on ‘Youth work in rural areas’. 

Join this seminar to explore the reality of rural youth work across Europe, to discuss how to better reach and support young people with fewer opportunities, and to exchange practices on how European youth programmes can strengthen youth work in rural areas.

The call is open to applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The seminar is scheduled for 18-22 May 2026 and will take place in Manosque, France.

This project is financed by the participating National Agencies (NAs) of the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme. The participation fee varies from country to country. Please contact your National Agency or SALTO Resource Centre (SALTO) to learn more about the participation fee for participants from your country. The hosting NA or SALTO of this offer will organise the accommodation and cover the costs for accommodation and food.

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Press release

CLOSING DATE

March 8, 2026

Voluntary collection centers (VCC) will be built in Călărași and Ungheni, while the town of Leova will receive financial and technical support to develop a project for such a center. The three localities were selected following a competition conducted in December 2025, in which 12 localities from across the country participated. The costs of constructing and operating the centers are covered by the European Union through the project “Enabling an inclusive green transition in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented by UNDP Moldova. The total investment is estimated at €1.8 million.

VCCs are an essential component in the development of a modern, efficient, and responsible waste management system, contributing to environmental protection, improving quality of life and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.

“For the municipality of Ungheni, the construction of a voluntary collection center is another important step towards creating a sustainable and climate-resilient city, where environmental protection is a priority. Thanks to this project, we will continue to develop waste management, especially since we already have good experience in this field. At the same time, it is an indispensable element of the integrated waste management system in Zone 5, of which Ungheni is a part. We want, both the authorities and the entire community, to have an increasingly modern waste management system, aligned with European standards and the designation of Ungheni for the construction of a voluntary collection center only makes us happy,” says Vitalie Vrabie, mayor of Ungheni.

The initiative aims to develop and modernize the integrated municipal waste management system at the urban level, with a direct impact on the environment and the well-being of citizens. In the initial stage, the following will be collected at the VCCs: bulky waste (mattresses, furniture), end-of-life products such as electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, glass packaging, wood, paper and cardboard waste, used textiles, used tires, plastic packaging (PET) and metal packaging (aluminum cans).

Each center will be equipped with dedicated containers for each category, ensuring organized and efficient collection. All collected waste will be taken over by authorized companies, which will subsequently ensure its recycling or recovery.

The VCCs in Ungheni and Călărași will be integrated into the regional waste management system currently being implemented in Waste Management Zone No. 5, which includes the two localities.

Construction work is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and the centers are expected to be operational in the fall of the same year.

The construction of VCCs is taking place in the context of the implementation of waste management legislation, with local public authorities responsible for creating an efficient collection system and ensuring, in stages, the necessary conditions for the separate collection, transport, recovery and final disposal of waste.

Authorities may also develop, in partnership with collective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, complementary services for the collection of waste from products regulated by EPR, such as electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and accumulators, or packaging.

In order to establish an integrated municipal waste management system, local public authorities shall ensure the allocation of the necessary land and the development of at least one voluntary collection center (VCC) per 50,000 inhabitants, intended for the collection and treatment of specific waste streams.

Last week, Diez.md visited the town of Ungheni with a group of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, France, and Italy. Their goal was to promote European values among schoolchildren and to learn about projects in Moldova that have been implemented with the help of the European Union.

The first stop was the ‘Vasile Alecsandri’ Theoretical Lyceum in Ungheni, where the Young European Ambassadors organised an interactive fair for the students. In addition, the schoolchildren took part in a game with questions and interesting facts about EU countries, and received prizes for correct answers. The ‘Vasile Alecsandri’ Lyceum is home to one of 30 Euroclubs and EU information centres operating in Moldova and promoting the European Union at local level.

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Then, the Young European Ambassadors from France, Italy, Romania and Ukraine told the students about their countries and the opportunities offered by the EU. Armed with new knowledge, the students took part in a quiz about the European Union.

We said goodbye to the students and headed to the ‘Stories’ café. Here we met its founder, Diana Beșliu, who told us how European funding had helped her to strengthen her business.

Our last stop was the village of Rădenii Vechi, where we visited another local business, ‘Dulce Plai & Batonash’. We visited the factory where they produce nutritional bars, honey with various flavours, tea, soap and other products made from natural ingredients. We observed the production process of the bars – how they are divided into portions and packaged. The business manager, Lisa, told us how the company managed to expand production with the support of the European Union.

This visit helped us better understand the real results and benefits of Moldova’s cooperation with the European Union. For the Young European Ambassadors from other countries, this trip was also an opportunity to get to know the people, towns and villages of Moldova. During their visit to Moldova, organised by the regional communication programme ‘EUNEIGHBOURS east’ and the ‘Strategic Communication and Support to Mass Media’ project, they also had the opportunity to interact with students from other schools in Chișinău and Soroca.

We have documented our experience in a video diary and invite you to watch it.

Author: Amelia Cotorobai

Article published in Romanian and Russian by Diez.md

The post Visit to Ungheni with Young European Ambassadors: here’s how our day went appeared first on EU NEIGHBOURS east.

The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognises emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond. Engaging the 41 countries participating in the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, the Prize celebrates 41 outstanding new literary talents across a cycle of three years.

EUPL highlights the creativity and the rich diversity of contemporary European fiction, while aiming to promote the circulation of literature across Europe and foster greater interest in works beyond national borders.

The EUPL Consortium is proud to reveal today the 14 shortlisted books for the EUPL 2026 edition, one for each participating country. The authors and their novels were nominated by national entities knowledgeable  about the literary scene in their countries and used to promoting their own literature abroad.

It is with pleasure that the shortlisted authors for this year are unveiled:

• Armenia: Sargis Hovsepyan, Սարգիս Հովսեփյան – Դու էսօր մեռի, ես՝ վաղը (You Die Today, I Die Tomorrow)
• Croatia: Lora Tomaš, Papir tvoje kože (Paper of Your Skin)
• Czechia: Dora Kaprálová, Mariborská hypnóza (The Maribor Hypnosis)
• Cyprus: Evridiki Pericleous-Papadopoulou, καὶ πολλὰ ἐπικράνθη – Η Ελένη της Καρπασίας (Sorely Grieved: Helen of Karpasia)
• Estonia: Lilli Luuk, Ööema (Night Mother)
• Finland: Susanna Hast, Toivottomuus (Despair)
• France: Hélène Frédérick, Lézardes (Rivers of White)
• Kosovo: Arben Idrizi, Njeriu që habitej dhe tregime të tjera (The Man Who Wondered and Other Stories)
• Liechtenstein: Mathias Ospelt, Ebaholz (Ebony)
• Luxembourg: Elise Schmit, Allgemeine Zweifel am weiteren Verlauf (General doubts about the future course of events)
• Moldova: Paula Erizanu, Aicea-i și raiul, și iadul. Republica Moldova: un veac de istorie trăită (Here Is Both Heaven and Hell. Republic of Moldova: A Century of Lived History)
• Montenegro: Vladimir Vujović, Slobodni udarci (Free Kicks)
• North Macedonia: Ivan Shopov, Zentrifuga (Centrifuge)
• Sweden: Frans Wachtmeister, Förlorad mark (Lost Ground)

The seven members of the European Jury will read excerpts from all the shortlisted books and make their choice in the upcoming months to award one EUPL Prize winner for this edition, as well as recognising two special mentions.

The 2026 EUPL Prize laureate and the two special mentions will be revealed on 29 May 2026 at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, during the city’s annual book fair.

All shortlisted authors will be continuously promoted on the European stage, aiming to reach a wider and international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders.

The EUPL is organised by a Consortium of associations comprising the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), with the support of the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.

Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors of the 2026 European Union Prize for literature. Your incredible achievements remind us that literature is a powerful bridge connecting cultures, languages, histories, and generations across our continent and beyond. Books open windows to new worlds while reflecting who we are, serving as catalyst for dialogue and change, fostering empathy, dialogue and understanding across borders. Your stories offer a unique perspective, enriching our collective understanding of the complexities and diversity of what it means to be European. As reaffirmed by the Culture Compass and through the Creative Europe programme, the Commission is committed to supporting the literary sector and to ensuring that voices like yours, promoting understanding and celebrating diversity, continue to inspire, challenge, and unite readers.”

Sonia Draga, President of FEP, said: “Discovering Europe through its authors, this is what EUPL offers to publishing professionals who are looking to bring new voices to their audiences. After what I can only imagine a difficult choice by national juries, we now have a shortlist of 14 emerging authors to be discovered. FEP is proud to be associated to the Prize that has so far allowed 216 authors to reach new readers across Europe.’’

Fabian Paagman, President of EIBF, said: ‘’The EUPL continues to be a beacon for literary excellence, celebrating the vibrant diversity of European storytelling. This year’s shortlist of 14 outstanding authors represents the best of contemporary fiction from across the continent, each offering a unique voice and perspective. While the jury will soon honour two special mentions and one overall laureate, the true achievement of the EUPL is its power to bring these remarkable works to readers everywhere, defying conventional national boundaries and territories. On behalf of EIBF, I congratulate all the shortlisted authors and look forward to seeing your books on shelves, inspiring readers throughout Europe and beyond.’’

About FEP: The Federation of European Publishers is an independent, non-commercial umbrella association of book publishers’ associations in Europe. FEP represents 31 national associations of publishers of books, learned journals and educational materials, in all formats, in Europe, and is, thus, the voice of the great majority of European publishers. Founded in 1967, FEP deals with European legislation and advises publishers’ associations on copyright and other legislative issues.

About EIBF: The European and International Booksellers Federation is a non-commercial European and international umbrella organisation representing national booksellers’ associations and booksellers around the world. Through its member associations, EIBF speaks on behalf of more than 25.000 individual booksellers.

About Creative Europe: The Creative Europe programme supports a wide range of cultural and creative sectors and encourages cooperation and exchanges among cultural organisations and artists within Europe and beyond. It supports initiatives of translation and promotes literary works throughout EU markets, with the aim to raise accessibility of readership of high quality European literary writings.

The European Commission has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest for private investment, inviting businesses from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), and Moldova to take part. This initiative will be further explored during a dedicated information session at Moldova Business Week 2025.

The Call will be the central focus of the ‘Investment funding in Moldova: Unlocking capital for growth’ session on 19 September, where European Commission experts will outline its objectives, explain how businesses can apply, and highlight the opportunities available. The session will also feature an interactive Q&A, enabling participants to raise specific questions, share insights, and gain practical guidance on how to engage.

The event is expected to gather around 150 representatives from the business community and international financial institutions. The session will be livestreamed on the EU Delegation’s social media channels and on Pivesc.eu, starting at 13:00 CET.

To be eligible, the project has to comply with the following criteria:

• the investment must take place on the territory of the Republic of Moldova;
• participants shall be private enterprises, a joint venture or consortium of companies, possessing a valid VAT registration number 
• participants must possess their real legal seat/legal incorporation in one of the EU Member States /EEA countries or be based in Moldova;
• projects should focus on the Republic of Moldova’s real economy sectors and support diversification and competitiveness of the Moldovan economy in line with the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova; 
• projects must meet a specified minimum investment threshold, including a total size of the investment project at €10 million;
• projects must include at least 15% own equity from the project promoters.

To reduce risks and attract private investment, the EU and its partners are offering a comprehensive support package that includes financial guarantees through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), loans and investment capital on favourable terms, technical assistance and other support measures.

The deadline for applications is 4 May 2026.

Find out more

Press release

More information about the call is available here

CLOSING DATE

May 4, 2026

The Solidarity Fund PL in the Republic of Moldova has launched a call for funding for local agricultural SMEs as part of the wider Team Europe Initiative ‘Sustainable Agri-Food Systems’, financed by the European Union and the Czech Republic.

The call aims to support initiatives to create and strengthen sustainable agri-food value chains, developed and coordinated by associations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agri-food sector.

The total budget of the call is €250,000. Grants of up to €50,000 are available for agricultural producers who are willing to join forces and jointly develop seed production,seed multiplication, seed processing, and market sales. Support is intended for corn, sorghum, industrial hemp and cover crops.

The deadline for applications is 16 March 2026.

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Press release

CLOSING DATE

March 16, 2026

Between April and November 2025, law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical and anti-doping authorities from 30 countries, including from Georgia and Moldova, joined forces in Operation SHIELD VI, coordinated by the EU Agency Europol. 

As a result, 3,354 individuals were prosecuted, 907 investigations launched, 43 organised crime groups investigated, five underground labs seized, 10 assembly sites seized, and 66 websites taken down. The total value of the seized items, including medicines, doping substances, medical devices and food supplement, amounts to €33 million.

The operation focused on counterfeit and falsified medicines, the trafficking of anabolic-androgenic steroids and other doping substances, illegal food and sport supplements, and counterfeit sanitary products and medical devices.

“Operation SHIELD VI highlighted several critical public health threats, including the proliferation of counterfeit Semaglutide-based products used as fat-burners and the increasing availability of fake medicines containing potent synthetic substances, such as nitazenes,” Europol said in a press release.

According to Europol, social media and online marketplaces, both on the surface and on the dark web, continue to be central to the trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. These platforms provide various degrees of anonymity and target wide audiences, making it challenging to identify the criminal actors involved.

“Purchasing fake medicines pays criminals, poses a risk to consumers’ health, and undermines the economy, damaging legitimate businesses and innovation that rely on intellectual property protection,” Europol said.

As in the previous operations, the 2025 edition was supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, INTERPOL, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.

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Press release

On 1 April 2026, Moldova will take a significant step toward further integrating with the EU’s internal energy market. That is when the country will phase out regulated gas prices for large non-household consumers, including power and heating utilities, industrial operators and commercial users, representing around 55% of national gas demand. In doing so, Moldova, as a Contracting Party of the Energy Community, is opening a large share of its gas market, which is considered by the Energy Community to be an “especially key milestone” for a country heavily reliant on imported natural gas for electricity and heat generation. 

On 19 February, gas companies, regulators, public authorities, and major consumers gathered in Chișinău for a forum, co-organised by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) and the Energy Community Secretariat, in preparation for this transition. The event focused on enabling large non-household consumers to adapt to the new market rules. 

“Moldova is stepping into an EU-integrated energy future,” said Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat. “Opening the gas market for big gas consumers turns integration with the EU into competition among the suppliers, while ensuring market reforms are implemented in a way that protects vulnerable households.” 

Moldova’s dependence on imported gas became apparent during the energy crisis of 2021-2022, when supply disruptions caused by Russia led to widespread economic and social tensions, exposing the risks of dependence on a single supplier. With the support of the Energy Community Secretariat, Moldova has since emerged as one of the frontrunners in advancing market reforms, reducing structural vulnerabilities through deeper integration with the EU’s internal energy market.

The phase-out of regulated prices will be gradual – completed for large non-household consumers by April 2026 and for medium non-household consumers by April 2027. At the same time, households, small businesses and essential service providers will still be able to choose between regulated supply and market-based contracts, helping ensure a smooth and consumer-focused transition. 

The Forum was organised within the framework of the ‘Moldova Energy Independence and Resilience’ (MEIR) project, co-financed by the European Union. 

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Press release

Almost 600 students in Moldova took part in a series of activities, carried out by Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from Moldova and the European Union from 23 to 26 February. The idea behind this week was to highlight the message of ‘More EU in Moldova’ with a series of visits to schools, Euroclubs and EU-funded projects.

A group of six Young European Ambassadors from Moldova were joined by five Young European Ambassadors from Romania, France and Italy, fostering cross-border dialogue and exchange between young people from EU Member States and Moldova.

The activities aimed to increase the understanding and visibility of the EU, its strategic objectives and support for Moldova, to inform about opportunities offered by the EU and o build cooperation between the YEAs and local youth, NGOs and academia, particularly in the context of Moldova’s EU accession path.

On 23 February, the YEAs visited the ‘Vasile Alecsandri’ high school in Chișinău, featuring an EU-YEA fair, high-level dialogue with H.E. Iwona Piórko, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, and content creator Cătălin Lungu. Around 250 students took part in the event.

The EU-YEA fair featured dedicated stands hosted by Young European Ambassadors and the Euro Club. Through interactive games, quizzes and informal discussions, students tested their knowledge about the European Union, discovered interesting facts about Europe, and learned about the tangible results of EU-Moldova cooperation.

The YEAs also visited ‘Vasile Alecsandri’ lyceum in Ungheni, where 80 pupils participated, and ‘Constantin Stere’lyceum in Soroca, where 250 pupils were involved.

“These past three days have proved that engaged young people who want change exist in every corner of Moldova; we just need to reach out and find them,” said Ema Budu, a Moldovan YEA. “The energy of Moldova’s youth is the clearest proof that Europe’s future is built through dialogue. These past days have shown us that, regardless of the region, our shared values and desire for connection unite us more than anything.”

The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative is a non-political, voluntary, communication network connecting young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the EU Member States and the United Kingdom. The aim of the network is to raise awareness about the EU’s cooperation with its Eastern partner countries, showcase the tangible results of this cooperation, contribute to policy dialogue, increase civic activism and work together for a better future.

Four months after the Republic of Moldova joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), Moldovan citizens have saved almost €5 million in fees, according to data published by the EU Delegation to Moldova.

From October 2025 to January 2026, seven out of ten outgoing and incoming payments were made through SEPA.

SEPA brings together 41 European countries and provides citizens and companies with fast, secure and inexpensive transfers in euros.

“Moldova’s accession to SEPA in October 2025 was an important step towards the country’s integration into the European Union,” the EU Delegation said in a Facebook post.

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Press release

The post Thanks to SEPA, Moldovan citizens saved almost €5 million in fees appeared first on EU NEIGHBOURS east.

A new Macroeconomic Projections and Forecasting Model was implemented in Moldova in 2025, with support from the European Union.

The model was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation of Moldova as part of the EU-funded project ‘Moldova is Europe – Support for EU Integration’. 

The tool provides an integrated framework for forecasting key economic indicators, linking external trends with developments in the real economy and the labour market. Further improvements are planned for 2026, with a focus on better understanding capital and financial flows.

The model was used in the preparation of Moldova’s Economic Reform Programme 2026-2028. It will also support the ministry in the assessment of the macroeconomic conditions and outlook, thus helping to align economic objectives with available public resources.

“By strengthening economic planning, the EU is helping Moldova create a more resilient economy, better jobs, and improved living standards, while advancing on its European integration path,” the EU Delegation to Moldova said in a press release.

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Press release

On 1 October, the EU-funded ‘Culture Moves Europe’ programme launched a new call for applications. The European Commission has allocated a further €25 million, enabling support for an additional 7,000 artists and cultural professionals until 2028. The programme is implemented by the Goethe-Institut.

The Call for Individual Mobility is open to artists and cultural professionals based in Creative Europe countries who wish to carry out a project in another participating country. Applicants must be aged 18 or older, and different backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome.

Covering seven sectors and featuring a straightforward application process, the scheme aims to expand access to artistic and cultural mobility across Europe and neighbouring regions.

The applicants can apply individually or as part of a group of up to 5 people. Projects can be implemented in one country and must be between 7 and 60 days long for individual projects, and between 7 and 21 days for group applications.

The grant offers a daily allowance (€85 per day of project implementation), travel (automatically calculated based on distance), green mobility top-up (€400), family top-up (€200 per child), and a visa top-up (€120). Accessibility support can also be provided.

Grants will be awarded on a monthly basis until 30 April 2026.

The call is open to artists from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. Applicants based in Moldova or with Moldova as a destination, can submit their application from January 2026 onwards.

Later this year, the next Call for Residency Hosts will be open on 15 December 2025, with further calls scheduled until 2028.

Find out more

Press release

CLOSING DATE

April 30, 2026