The Republic of Moldova is intensifying its anti-corruption efforts with strong backing from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marking a significant step towards enhancing governance and democratic integrity in the country. This collaboration comes amid ongoing reform processes aimed at strengthening institutional resilience, transparency, and accountability across Moldova’s public and electoral sectors.
A Collaborative Approach to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Capacity
The support from the EU and UNDP seeks to fortify Moldova’s capabilities in addressing corruption risks, especially focusing on sectors deemed vulnerable such as electoral processes. According to a statement from the UNDP Moldova office,
“The government of Moldova is well positioned to boost the country’s resilience and capacities to combat and reduce impunity for corruption risks,”
reflecting a strong commitment to enhance institutional frameworks for anti-corruption.
Since 2021, the EU has been the largest financial and technical partner to Moldova, allocating over EUR 1.2 billion in grants to support various reforms including judicial independence, energy security, and democratic governance. This funding has also been pivotal for anti-corruption initiatives, contributing to the broader European integration goals of Moldova.
Focus on Electoral Integrity and Transparency
A key area of intervention supported by this partnership lies in securing electoral integrity. Moldova has been facing challenges such as opaque political financing, foreign interference, and the use of unregulated digital tools in electoral campaigns. To address these risks, on July 8–9, 2025, a regional conference titled
“Money in Politics: Defending Electoral Resilience in the Digital Age”
was held in Chișinău. Hosted by the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova with international partners including UNDP and the EU, this event provided a platform for strategic dialogue on combating illicit political finance, disinformation, and hybrid threats to democracy.
The conference underscored the growing complexity of electoral manipulation tactics in the digital sphere, including the rise of cryptocurrency-funded campaigns and disinformation networks, making Moldova and other Eastern European countries more vulnerable to destabilization efforts. The collaboration emphasizes adaptive regulatory approaches that balance transparency with protection of fundamental rights and digital freedoms.
Empowering Civil Society and Investigative Journalism
Beyond institutional reform, the EU and UNDP initiatives place particular importance on empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent media as vital actors in the anti-corruption ecosystem. The INSPIRĂ Moldova project, supported by the EU from 2024 to 2027, fosters an enabling environment for CSO engagement in public decision-making processes at local and national levels, promoting democratic participation and good governance.
Investigative journalism, often hindered by limited resources and political pressure, is also receiving crucial support. Past UNDP efforts included contests rewarding exemplary anti-corruption investigations and efforts to raise awareness about the challenges journalists face in exposing corruption. A reputed investigative journalist remarked on the difficulty of conducting impactful investigations without external donor support,
“If investigative journalism today exists in the Republic of Moldova at all, it exists only as ‘connected’ to the oxygen mask of external donors”,
highlighting both the risks and resilience of press freedom in the country.
Comprehensive Support and Policy Synergy
The EU’s support extends well beyond direct funding, involving technical assistance, strategic partnerships, and policy dialogue aimed at systemic improvements. This includes a comprehensive energy independence strategy, judicial reforms to safeguard judicial independence, and a security and defence partnership initiated in 2024 to counter hybrid threats, cyber-attacks, and regional destabilization risks.
Moreover, the EU, through its Global Gateway initiative, has mobilized EUR 1.7 billion alongside international financial institutions to enhance infrastructure, digital development, and governance reform efforts. This integrated approach ensures that anti-corruption measures are embedded within broader efforts to strengthen Moldova’s socio-economic and political resilience.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite progress, Moldova continues to grapple with entrenched corruption, judicial inefficiencies, and external interference. Reports indicate that while investigative journalism has exposed significant corruption cases, judicial follow-through and public trust remain fragile. Journalists often face lawsuits and intimidation, making independent scrutiny challenging.
The UNDP’s ongoing REDACT project and associated efforts aim to reduce impunity and promote transparency, leveraging international best practices and local partnerships. As EU Delegation representative Irina Beșliu noted,
“The European Union remains a development partner, not just a donor, and will continue to support civic engagement, democratic education, and capacity building,”
emphasizing the long-term partnership approach.
Regional and Global Context
Moldova’s anti-corruption drive aligns with broader regional frameworks. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN) have provided frameworks and monitoring mechanisms to assess and promote anti-corruption reforms since 2016. These efforts focus on improving public administration integrity, criminal justice responses, and transparency in political finance, setting performance benchmarks aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) further guides national policies, with UNDP and partners supporting Moldova and other countries in applying such international standards through institutional reforms and civil society engagement.
Through robust multi-stakeholder cooperation involving the EU, UNDP, Moldovan government, CSOs, and international partners, Moldova is making measurable strides in combatting corruption. While challenges persist, the enhanced focus on electoral integrity, judicial reforms, civil society empowerment, and regional collaboration shapes a comprehensive strategy aimed at securing democratic resilience and governance transparency.
This milestone partnership between the EU and UNDP demonstrates a sustained commitment to help Moldova meet European standards and safeguard its democratic future.
