European Integration and Economic Development Program
This program is part of the Eurasia Foundation in Moldova’s Citizen Oversight Initiative, which aims to promote and enhance civic engagement by building trust between government, civil society organizations, mass media and the public in the areas of European integration and economic development.
In Cooperation with the Moldovan government and civil society, EFM works to increase the role of civil society and the public in the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan (EUMAP), and the Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (EGPRSP).
In order to increase citizen oversight and participation into the implementation of the EUMAP EFM established a partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova (MFAEI). EF and the MFAEI signed in April 2006 a two-year Cooperation Agreement where both sides agreed to “conduct activities that lead to implementation of the EU-Moldova Action plan; establish a friendly relationship and mutual cooperation in contributing to the advancement of relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union; and collaborate on initiatives promoting public information and citizen participation.'
Cooperation with civil society
EFM and the MFAEI held a joint national conference on April 26, 2006, attended by more than 150 representatives of civil society and government. Participants discussed mechanisms for cooperation on reform issues including the EUMAP, EGPRSP and Millennium Challenge Account Program. Government – civil society interaction is still under discussion and EFM continues to support this debate.
EFM also assisted the MFAEI and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania in organizing the international seminar “Moldova and Europe’s East' on September 9, 2006. The event brought together officials representing Moldova, key strategists and policy makers from the EU, the United States, Moldova's neighbours and the NGOs. Four main themes were discussed at the seminar:
- - Economic development and reforms in Moldova and in the region;
- - Advancing towards European ant Euro-Atlantic integration (post- EUMAP arrangements and a new phase of relations with NATO);
- - Resolving the frozen conflict in Transnistria (developing a Moldovan plan for peace);
- - Regional cooperation (i.e. between Moldova, Romania and Ukraine)
One of the most important outcomes of the conference was that EFM - together with a group of NGOs and independent experts - formed a civil society advisory group. The group provides expert input to EUMAP and EGPRSP implementation and monitors the government’s progress in making those plans a reality. The advisory group gathers on a monthly basis at a meeting hosted by the Deputy Foreign Minister where members of the advisory group provide feedback and recommendations and discuss future plans together with officials from the MFAEI.
European Interactive Centers
As part of our cooperation agreement with the MFAEI, EFM set up the European Interactive Centers “Pro-Europa' in southern and northern Moldova (Cahul and Balti). Targeting students, youth, women, farmers, teachers, local government officials, business groups, and other interested parties, the centers will act as a platform for information and discussion on issues related to European integration. As a result of the project, the public will be better informed and more engaged in issues such as travel to the EU, work and education in EU countries, the progress on implementation of the EUMAP, and EU regulations effecting Moldova. The centers will also collect feedback from citizens in order to develop informed government policies on European integration. The project is co-funded by Sida, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and USAID.
The following activities will be organized at both centers: regional conferences, training seminars, debates, and information campaigns including a bus campaign, booklets, mini-flyers, posters, stickers, brochures, website and email based information, an EU-Integration Bulletin, TV/Radio advertisements, debates on local TV, and articles in regional and district newspapers. The centers will also monitor local and regional media’s coverage of European integration issues, conduct training courses for local public officials, NGOs & businessmen and hold a roundtable discussion on Europe Day (May 9).
Information and Communication Strategy on European Integration
EFM Program/Communications Officer, Liliana Viţu, an expert member of the civil society advisory group, assisted the MFAEI in designing the Information and Communication Strategy on European Integration. She worked with an international consultant, Petra Masinova, Director of the Department of Information on European Affairs, Czech Republic, to draft the strategy. EFM is seeking funding for independent, NGO monitoring of the strategy’s implementation
For more information on the Eurasia Foundation European Integration and Economic Development program in Moldova, please contact Carolina Blajin, Communication Associate at:
The Eurasia Foundation
Moldova Representative Office
cblajin@eurasia.md
Address: 49/4 Tighina str.,
3rd floor, Chisinau MD-2001
Tel: (+373-22) 235-343; 548-102 ext.124
Fax: (+373-22) 542-338
For more information about the European Union and the European Integration process in Moldova, visit the following sites:
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