Moldova: At a Crossroads
Throughout 2009 Moldova has undergone increasing political instability and social unrest. The contested results of the elections and the lack of transparency led to political violence and fights between the government and the alliance of pro-European opposition forces. The pressure of opposition forces and the international community forced a call for early elections that resulted in a clear victory of the opposition forces in Moldova. This victory has paved the way for a sustainable democratic transition where civil society organizations are playing a pivotal role in ensuring effective democratic governance in the country.
Moldova today constitutes, probably, a unique example in the Post Soviet Region of the potential behind the incorporation of social actors and CSOs to the political process, in a very difficult political and institutional setting. This process of incorporation has generated solid ties between social actors, political actors and democratic institutions around which the contribution of the international community, whether in the form of bi-lateral and multilateral cooperation or the direct links between CSOs, can be effectively aligned and better coordinated.
It is precisely this mode of understanding democratic governance; this way of constructing a shared vision on the future of Moldova as a country and as a society, which EPD has set itself to support throughout the combination of targeted awareness raising actions in Brussels and Moldova and mobilizing the support of the international community towards a political settlement that would allow the country to advance in the path towards democratization as we have seen during 2010.
EPD projects in Moldova:
The two general areas of activity in Moldova are working with young political leaders on a multiparty approach and "Partnership Fair" - meeting of donors and implementers and exchange of contacts and possible cooperation.
VISIT OF MOLDOVAN CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES TO BRUSSELS
Moldova Reports:
Since June 2009, EPD has been sending a "Moldova Weekly" bulletin summarizing the most important points of news coming from Moldova. This report is distributed each second week via e-mail to important stakeholders in Brussels (EU institutions, think-tanks, NGOs etc.). While preparing these bulletins, EPD works closely with several organizations in trying to bring unbiased information to the decision makers.The reports can ce found here.
EPD has also produced a Research paper: "Moldova's Early Elections: a Transition in Need of Support. The paper's electronic version is accessible here.
Other articles about Moldova on the EPD website