Spatial data infrastructure of the Republic of Moldova has become more modern with the support of the European Union

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. Today, October 17th, there took place the final event of the Twinning project “Improving Spatial Data Services in the Republic of Moldova following EU standards”, financed by the European Union. During the event, the achieved results regarding the modernisation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) of the Republic of Moldova during 38 months of project activity were presented.

Thus, among the results achieved during the project implementation are the following: the updating of the legal framework and preparation of NSDI strategic development documents, the development of the NSDI geoportal  (https://inds.gov.md), as a single point of access to spatial data, as well as empowering employees from various ministries and state agencies working with spatial datasets and related services. 

During the project implementation, Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre benefited from technical and professional assistance in the process of harmonizing the legislation with the EU INSPIRE Directive and its associated implementing rules/norms. At the same time, the implementation partner institutions within the EU member states offered and ensured the strengthening of the institutional capacities of the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre and other public entities in the field of NSDI.

„The EU best practices on spatial data have been implemented in Moldova with the support of the EU. This will help the Government of the Republic of Moldova to effectively assist citizens, support businesses and improve innovation. Standardized and interoperable spatial data will allow for the development of professional tools, through which the data can be used to their full potential”, Adam Grodzicki, Deputy Head of Cooperation within the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, said.

Additionally, a pilot project for the testing and implementation of the spatial data standardization guidelines, developed by the experts of the member states, was implemented in partnership with relevant public institutions from the Republic of Moldova. For the implementation of the pilot project, Ungheni region was selected both at the municipal and district level.

“I express my gratitude to the Delegation of the European Union in the Republic of Moldova for the continuous and unconditional support it has offered to the Agency since 2014. Impressive results have been achieved and all the planned activities of the project have been successfully implemented, despite all the global circumstances. The best knowledge, experiences and expertise were shared by the experts of the European Union member states in order to improve the quality of spatial data, develop network services, enhance cooperation and strengthen institutional capacities within the public entities of the Republic of Moldova”, Ivan Danii, General Director of the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre of the Republic of Moldova, stated.

„This project is a continuation of our long-lasting successful cooperation, during which our colleagues from Croatia, Poland and the Netherlands have become our long-term partners and friends. We greatly appreciate their support and commitment in our effort to join the European Union. Under their guidance and recommendations, we strive to apply the highest European standards in our activity and build our own potential and credibility in the geo-informational society of the Republic of Moldova”, Maria Ovdii, Beneficiary Country Project Leader, mentioned.

In total, more than 60 central and local public entities from the academic and private sectors participated in various capacity-building and lifelong learning activities in the field of spatial data. Thanks to the activities carried out by the Twinning project, a stronger adaptation of work processes to European standards was possible and the operational capacities of the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre and other public entities were strengthened.

The final event was attended by representatives from the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre, the partner institutions of the EU member states, the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, the embassies of Croatia, Poland and the Netherlands, as well as numerous public institutions from the Republic of Moldova that operate with data spatial.

The general objective of the Twinning project “Improving spatial data services in the Republic of Moldova following EU standards” was to improve e-government, spatial data exchange and cooperation between interested parties.

Context information:

The project “Improving spatial data services in the Republic of Moldova following EU standards”, worth 1.8 million euros, was financed by the European Union. The project was implemented during 38 months, between September 2020 and October 2023. Its implementation was carried out by a consortium of three EU member states, with the Croatian State Geodetic Administration (SGA) as the lead partner, the Polish Head Office for Geodesy and Cartography (GUGiK) and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) – as junior partners, whereas the Croatian Central Financing and Contracting Agency (CFCA) provided administrative and financial management.