Improving the media situation in Moldova

Today, the media in Moldova cannot survive without external support. They face extreme challenges in the areas of economy, security and mental health. At the same time, these independent media are an important part of Moldova’s democratic transition efforts, serving civil society by strengthening it through education and confidence-building.

Support for long-term capacity building

Therefore, in Moldova, as part of a project funded by the European Union and the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, in cooperation on implementation with SlovakAid and People in Peril, as well as several international and local organisations, we are carrying out several monitoring trips to visit media and media start-ups, which we will support in their long-term capacity building as well as their sustainable growth. As part of the project, the media will receive small grants.

In addition, we prepare trainings, mentoring and expert consultations of local and international experts in the fields of journalism as well as business. All mentoring and training topics provided within the framework of this project are crucial as each participant has different needs and is in a slightly different position (in terms of their language, location, size, professional skills, security threats, etc.).

At the local level in Moldova, it is very rare to see examples of the emergence of new media, and even the existing ones are on the verge of extinction. At the same time, I believe that local and regional media are one of the most important sources of information for people outside Chisinau (the capital of Moldova). The media are undergoing a transformation, so the help that the local media are receiving in adapting to the new environment will strengthen and support them in functioning in the future. That is why support for start-up media and local media is essential for a democratic country, and I am proud to be able to help my colleagues who are doing this work.

Alexandru Lebedev, mentor for Moldovan media

Project at international level

Implementing actors and organisations have a big role to play in this process, especially because other Central European countries, namely those implementing this media project, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic or Poland, were part of the Eastern Bloc countries and have experience of trying to transition to democratic systems in which civil society is empowered enough to participate in decision-making processes.

The Program is funded by the European Union and implemented through a group of partner organisations led by Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation  in close collaboration with People in Need Slovakia and other organisations.