Interns of the innovative Programme launched by the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Moldova finalise successfully their fellowships in state institutions

For two months, 29 young people participated in the innovative internships programme launched by the European Union in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Moldova. They worked together with the civil servants, being guided in their daily activities by the EU High Level Advisers. Interns were hosted by a wide range of state institutions, including the State Chancellery, the Presidential Administration, Ministries of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Education and Research, Justice, Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Environment, but also Customs Service, National Anticorruption Centre, the National Bank and others.

The festive ceremony marking the end of the Programme, which took place on 26 August, was chaired by the Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova Jānis Mažeiks. The Prime Minister expressed her conviction that this has been a useful experience under the guidance of the EU High Level Advisers and civil servants. ‘Civil service is the key element for the development of a country – the decisions taken here influence the quality of life and wellbeing of all citizens. We hope that, after graduation, you get actively involved in the decision making in state institutions by choosing a career in the public sector.’ According to the EU Ambassador, ‘This has been a visionary programme, supported by the Government and the EU HLAs from the very first day. We are glad to learn that many of the interns are planning to start a career in the public service and work for the benefit of the country. The EU will keep supporting the young generations of Moldova with this type of initiatives in the future.’

The closing event gathered all stakeholders of the Programme: the interns themselves, but also their mentors and counterparts from state institutions, each having the possibility to share impressions about the programme, its benefits and results. Olivia Plamadeala, III-year student at the Academy of Economic Studies, intern at the State Chancellery, shares her impressions: ‘The Government became my third home this summer, the second one being my University. Both the civil servants and the High Level Advisers shared with us their knowledge and we had lessons to learn from each and every one of those we worked with.’

The initiative was launched in the context of the European Year of Youth 2022, to encourage active involvement of young people in all social, economic and administrative aspects of society. The main goal of the internship is to offer young people the opportunity to learn what public service work means and to acquire skills that will increase their chances of employment once they graduate. The finalists have been selected after a thorough selection process, including the dossiers competition (CVs and cover letters), but also face-to-face interviews with a Selection Committee, comprising representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, and the EU High Level Advisers. The internships programme is funded by the European Union.

In parallel, 18 young people are following a similar internship in a programme initiated by the Presidential Administration and financed by the EU through its High Level Advisers’ Mission.

More details about the programme can be found at https://eu-advisers.md/page/internships-programme.