Don’t miss out: 18 free opportunities for young people in the Republic of Moldova

If you are a student

Erasmus+

The EU offers a wide range of study opportunities through the Erasmus+ programme, including student exchanges in European universities at bachelor, master and doctoral levels – the exchanges will be part of the programme you are following and can last between one term and one year. And your expenses will be covered! You can also apply for an Erasmus+ scholarship to study for a Master’s degree at top European universities.

For exchanges, visit the international relations office at your university – they will tell you which opportunities are available in your subject and will help you to apply.

For a Master’s degree, you need to check out the catalogue of Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, which lists the courses offering Erasmus scholarships in the upcoming academic year (there are 163 courses currently listed), then contact the university to apply for the course and scholarship.

The National Erasmus+ Office in the Republic of Moldova is there to help you with any information. You can check out their website for more information or follow them on Facebook, email them at [email protected] or call them on
+373 22 881 630.

College of Europe Scholarships

The College of Europe offers a large number of scholarships to university graduates coming from the Republic of Moldova and other countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy for post-graduate studies. Scholarships are also available for students from the Eastern Partnership countries, funded by the EU4Youth programme. Applications for the academic year 2023/2024 will open in October 2022 and close in mid-January 2023. You can pre-register now at coleuropenatolin.eu to receive a reminder about the opening of applications.

Young European Ambassadors

The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative is a non-political, voluntary, vibrant communication network connecting young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the EU Member States and the United Kingdom. The aim of the network is to raise awareness about the EU’s cooperation with its Eastern partner countries, showcase the tangible results of this cooperation, and contribute to policy dialogue on various topics. There are currently more than 500 active YEAs representing over 34 different nationalities, including 85 in Moldova (click here to meet them). The network is open to young people aged between 16 and 26, interested in public diplomacy and outreach activities. Applications take place every year, usually in the autumn.

For civil society activists, young leaders and volunteers

Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges

Erasmus+ is not just for students. Indeed, in recent years, thousands of young people and youth workers from Moldova have participated in joint Erasmus+ Youth projects (exchanges, trainings, policy debate, volunteering). Erasmus+ youth exchanges are open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 30, and last between 5 and 21 days. These exchanges take place through youth organisations and you cannot apply directly as an individual.

To find out more, contact the Erasmus+ Youth Info Centre in the Republic of Moldova by visiting their Facebook page, by phone +373 699 44 499 or email to [email protected].

European Solidarity Corps

One way to gain experience abroad is by volunteering through the European Solidarity Corps. This is a unique way to experience different cultures and make new friends, while also helping others and learning new skills. You need to be between 17 and 30 and be willing to spend between two weeks and 12 months abroad. Volunteer projects could be anywhere in the EU or its partner countries, and in fields as varied as culture, youth, sports, children, cultural heritage, arts, animal welfare or the environment. Find out how to apply and check out hundreds of opportunities on the European Solidarity Corps portal.

Civil Society Fellowships

The EU supports young civil society leaders and activists in Moldova and across the Eastern Partnership through its EaP Civil Society Fellowships programme. Every year, the programme helps 20 civil society activists in their efforts to achieve positive social change in their communities, offering tailored training, grants of €5,000 and access to networking opportunities. Details about the Fellows selected since the programme began 2017 and their areas of interest can be found here. Applications, currently open until 15 October, usually take place very year in the autumn. Check here for updates.

EU4Youth Alumni

The EU4Youth Alumni Network brings together young beneficiaries (aged 18-30) of the Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps, EU4Youth grant projects, Young European Ambassadors Network as well as other regional programmes targeting young people across the Eastern Partnership. The Network offers Alumni the opportunity to connect with disadvantaged young people in Moldova and support them to become more active in their communities and actively participate in EU mobility programmes. Applications take place once a year, usually in the autumn, with up to 15 alumni selected in each country to participate in the programme for 10 months.

If you are still at school

Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges

Erasmus+ is not just for students: the programme also offers youth exchanges, and these are open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 30. Activities could involve workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, outdoor activities and more. These exchanges take place through youth organisations and you cannot apply directly as an individual. To find out more, contact the Erasmus+ Youth Info Centre in the Republic of Moldova by visiting their Facebook page, by phone +373 699 44 499 or email to [email protected].

Eastern Partnership European School

The Eastern Partnership European School in Tbilisi offers a two-year International Baccalaureate programme for pupils from all six Eastern Partnership countries, including Moldova, with full scholarships paid by the European Union, including fees, boarding and travel home for holidays. But the number of places is limited – only 35 per year – so you have to meet certain conditions and pass through competitive process in order to apply. Since the launch of the programme in 2018, 145 students have received scholarships for the school, graduating with the IB diploma and going on to study at top universities across the world. The next cohort of students will be recruited to join for the 2023-2025 IB programme.

Young European Ambassadors

The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative is open to young people from the age of 16, so if you are interested in Europe and its values, want to learn new skills and make new friends, then you can apply to join to join this network that brings together more than 500 young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the EU Member States and United Kingdom. Note that candidates aged 16-17 can take part in online engagement and local activities in their countries, but not international travel. Applications take place every year, usually in the autumn.

EU4Moldova – Startup City Cahul

The EU is supporting digital education and innovation across the Cahul region in southern Moldova through support for STEM education in local schools, with an ambitious range of IT education and robotics and programming courses in schools, starting from the very youngest age, including courses for children even as young as five. Find out more.

Vibe Academy

Funded by the EU under a civil society programme in Moldova, the Vibe Academy is a social enterprise based in Cahul offering IT and Robotics courses for children aged 5-17. In addition to its paid courses, the academy offers free education to 100 children from socially vulnerable families in the Cahul district. Check out the available courses here.

Internships and training

Erasmus+ traineeships

Erasmus+ supports work placements and internships abroad for Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral students, as well as recent graduates (within one year of your graduation). But your traineeship must be relevant to your degree and, wherever possible, be integrated in your study programme, so check the opportunities with your university. Work placements can last between two and twelve months, and Erasmus+ grants are available to cover your costs.

Blue Book traineeships

Twice a year, the EU offers five-month paid traineeships at the European Commission, its services and agencies, mostly in Brussels, but also in Luxembourg and elsewhere across the European Union. The call is mostly for EU citizens, but a limited number of places are also allocated to non-EU nationals. You can apply if you are a university graduate of any discipline who does not have more than six weeks of experience working in an EU institution, body, agency or delegation, and have a very good knowledge of English, German or French. Find out more.

Schuman Traineeships in the European Parliament

Twice a year, the European Parliament offers different traineeships within its Secretariat, including to applicants from outside the European Union. The traineeships are awarded for a period of five months, and are open to anyone over the age of 18, with a university level diploma. The goal of the Schuman traineeships is to contribute to participants’ European education and vocational training, and to provide an insight into the work of the European Parliament. The deadlines for application are at the end of May and October every year. Click here to find out more.

Young professional

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Young Moldovan entrepreneurs can join the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, open to anyone who plans to set up a business or has started one within the last three years. The programme matches up young entrepreneurs with experienced small businesses in another European country for a placement of up to six months, helping the new entrepreneur acquire the skills needed to run a small firm. The EU covers 75% of the costs of the exchange, with 25% of the costs borne by the entrepreneur.

EU4Business

If you are setting up or have a small business, the EU4Business initiative offers a wide range of loans and grants depending on the type and size of your business, as well as advice and consultancy services to help you take the next step in developing your business. Visit the EU4Business page for full details of partner banks and projects that you can apply to, as well as examples of successful beneficiaries.

EU4Moldova – Startup City Cahul

The EU is supporting digital education and innovation in Cahul in southern Moldova through an ambitious range of IT education, online tech training, robotics and programming courses, and entrepreneurial programmes. Opportunities include youth entrepreneurial and ICT educational programmes, support for the digitisation of business, and the creation of an innovation centre for continuous learning. Check out the latest news on the project, as well as events and upcoming courses and opportunities. Find out more on the project’s website and Facebook page.

EU4Youth

The EU4Youth programme will soon launch a series of projects aimed at developing digital skills among young people, especially in disadvantaged communities, and for the development of social entrepreneurship and career management skills, linked to the promotion of youth entrepreneurship in the green and digital economies. Under the previous wave of EU4Youth projects, two projects (EUnlocking and  Social Innovation Impact) offered business training and start-up funding to young social entrepreneurs in Moldova, while hundreds of pupils in disadvantaged rural areas benefited from labour skills and business development training under the School Garden project. Follow the EU4Youth page for upcoming opportunities.

Support for Confidence Building Measures

Young people on both sides of the Nistru River can receive business coaching and information under this project, which aims to improve living conditions by increasing economic opportunities and creating jobs; 26 young entrepreneurs from the left bank of the Nistru have already received equipment and mentoring to help them launch their businesses, and 12 more young people from both banks will be granted for the period 2022-2023. The project has also opened a business hub in Tiraspol for IT specialists and start-ups, as well as four business platforms, and also provides support to civil society and media initiatives. Find out more about the project and follow the UNDP Moldova Facebook page for new opportunities.

Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEETs)

Another EU project supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship is ‘Better opportunities for Young Women and Men Not in Education, Employment and Training in Moldova’, which offers support for youth business ideas through special youth-led entrepreneurship funds, as well as working with NGOs to develop youth skills. Follow the Facebook page of the East Europe Foundation (which also manages a number of other related projects) for new opportunities.

Looking for inspiration

Hundreds of young Moldovans are there to give you inspiration and new ideas!

Valentin and Ana are implementing a project to help teenagers in Causeni to develop soft skills and access EU opportunities. Having both taken part in Erasmus+ youth projects, they have developed their initiative through the EU4Youth Alumni network.

Nazar and Ilina are Young European Ambassadors supporting their Ukrainian colleagues by organising deliveries of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Dumitru is the founded of a social enterprise that employs 25 people, including 12 with disabilities, that received support from EU4Youth.

Adrian got a scholarship to go to the Eastern Partnership European School in Georgia. Now he aims to study bio-engineering in Germany.

Olesea took part in an ICT training programme under the Cahul Startup City project giving her the opportunity for a new professional direction.

Cristian and Irina both went to European Universities with the Erasmus+ programme. “I exceeded my limits and left my comfort zone,” says Irina, who spent six months in France.