Government of Republic of Moldova

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova

Participation in EU Programs and Agencies

Active participation in the European Union (EU) programs is one of the objectives of the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova (RM). It facilitates the implementation of the Association Agreement (AA) as a means of enhancing the European integration of the RM, by taking good EU practice and promoting people-to-people contacts. During the 7th round of negotiations, it was agreed to include a separate chapter in AA dedicated to EU Programs and Agencies.

Following the signing of the Additional Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the RM on 30 September 2010, consistent action was taken to extend the participation of Moldovan institutions to EU Programs.

Horizon 2020

The Republic of Moldova is the first Eastern Partnership State which signed on July 1, 2014 the agreement on the participation in the Union Framework Program European Research and Innovation - Horizon 2020. This program opens new opportunities for the Moldovan scientific and research environment that brings us closer to EU standards on economic development through innovation.

The participation of the Republic of Moldova in Horizon 2020 allows us:

  • to cooperate as an equal partner in all competitions announced by Horizon 2020;
  • become part of a European network of scientists, the business environment and decision makers setting out European research and innovation objectives and priorities;
  • benefit from European scientific excellence and excellence in solving internal problems;
  • initiate research projects;
  • send representatives to the management committees and working groups of Horizon 2020 and the European Research Area, etc.

In order to capitalize on the status of country associated with the Horizon 2020 Program, institutional capacities have been developed through the establishment of the National Contact Point Network, the Office of Science and Technology was assured by the European Union, promoting the EURAXESS program and organizing the information campaign on opportunities for participation in Horizon 2020.

Creative Europe

The cooperation with the EU in the field of culture has been marked by the Republic of Moldova's accession to the Creative Europe Program. The agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union was signed on 18 March 2015 and entered into force on 11 May 2015. In the context of the Republic of Moldova's participation in the Creative Europe Program, a Creative Europe Desk was established in Chisinau, which organizes training courses, seminars and consultations on culture.

More information on project proposals and funding opportunities under the Creative Europe Program can be found here.

Erasmus +

Erasmus + brings together seven EU programs in the fields of education, training and youth and also supports sport for the first time. Being an integrated program, Erasmus + offers more possibilities for cross-sectoral cooperation in these areas. In the first call for applications of the new Erasmus + Program (launched in March 2014), the Republic of Moldova and the Eastern Partnership countries were eligible to participate in some of the actions of the new Program, namely the Jean Monnet Program and the Joint Masters Program.

Following a series of consultations with representatives of the European Commission and the Moldovan Customs Service, an ad hoc participation in the 2013 Customs Program was agreed.

In order to facilitate the establishment of the Free Trade Area and to increase the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial sector on 29 September 2014 in Brussels, the Agreement on the Participation of Moldova in the Program for Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Enterprises 2014-2020 (COSME), Moldova becoming the first Eastern Partnership country to join the EU Program. Thus, Moldovan entrepreneurs will benefit from support in facilitating access to the European market, as well as support for business promotion.

Cooperation was also initiated under the 3rd Multiannual EU Health Action Program 2014-2020 "Health for Growth".