The EU cooperates with Moldova in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its eastern regional dimension, the Eastern Partnership. The key goal is to bring Moldova closer to the EU.

EU assistance to Moldova supports the 20 Deliverables for 2020 agreed at the 2017 Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels and is linked to the country's reform commitments under the Association Agreement. It aims at improving the quality of life of ordinary Moldovans in a tangible and visible manner, strengthening the rule of law, as well as improving the business climate, with a view to reaping the benefits from the DCFTA (Deep and comprehensive free trade area), and supporting greater connectivity between Moldova and the EU in the areas of energy and transport. The European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) is the EU financial instrument dedicated to the Neighbourhood for the period 2014-2020. It replaces the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) of 2007-2013. Other possible funding sources are the thematic programmes, focused on human rights and civil society and the macro-financial assistance.

EU assistance to Moldova takes mainly the form of country Action Programme funded every year under the ENI. Moldova benefits also from regional and multi-country Action Programmes funded under the ENI.

Bilateral cooperation

The European Union adopted the new EU multiannual programing document for the period 2017-2020 (Single Support Framework). It is based on the Eastern Partnership priorities to achieve a: 1/stronger economy, 2/ stronger governance, 3/ stronger connectivity and 4/ stronger society. In addition, it includes horizontal support to civil society, strategic communication, and capacity development/institution building.

EU assistance is based on strict conditionality, and is linked to the satisfactory progress in reforms and the respect of the rule of law, effective democratic mechanisms and human rights. In line with these principles, the EU in July 2019 resumed its budget support payments, which were previously put on hold due to the significant deterioration of the rule of law and democracy in Moldova as of mid-2018.

Under the 2019 funding package for Moldova, a total of € 42.4 million has been allocated to the following areas:

• EU4MOLDOVA: Startup City Cahul (UE pentru Moldova: Startup Orașul Cahul);
• EU4MOLDOVA: Clean Water for Cahul (UE pentru Moldova: Apă Curată pentru Cahul); Eastern Parntership Civil society facility
• EU4MOLDOVA: Improving energy efficiency in Moldova
• Eastern Partnership Civil Society Facility 2019 – 2020

Regional cooperation

Moldova also benefits from regional programmes for the Eastern Partnership region, supporting SMEs, energy, transport, environment, access to finance, growth as well as the overall business environment and rule of law. In addition, Moldova benefits from the DCFTA facility under the EU4business programme. Moldova also participates in Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) programmes such as the Black Sea Programme, the Romania-Ukraine-Moldova ENPI Land-Border Programme, and the Danube Transnational Programme. Finally, the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) promotes border control, customs and trade norms and practices that meet European Union standards, and serve the needs of its two partner countries.

Thematic programmes

In addition to the ENI, Moldova is eligible for funding under the EU thematic programmes: the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities, Human Development and Migration & Asylum.

Factsheets available to download:

• Annual Opinion Survey results: 2020