Connecting communities: EU extends confidence building measures across the Nistru River in Moldova

The European Union is continuing its efforts to improve cooperation between communities on both banks of the Nistru River through joint initiatives involving local partners, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders, with a new €4 million phase in its Confidence Building Measures (EU CBM) Programme, implemented by UNDP.

The latest phase of the programme will help connect communities across the river until the end of 2025, focusing on the following main areas:

• Economic development and decent job creation.
• Enhanced cross-river thematic cooperation between the civil society from both banks.
• Community development and small-scale social infrastructure support.
• Promotion of cultural heritage.

In addition, a fifth component on cross-river rapprochement in the health and social care sector will be launched soon with other implementing partners.

“Supporting social cohesion and grassroots level cooperation between communities from both banks of the Nistru river is more important than ever. Through this sixth phase of confidence-building measures, the EU and its implementing partners contribute to the promotion of joint initiatives for economic development and decent job creation for women and men, as well as community development and continued promotion of culture as a key driver for resilient, fair and inclusive societies,” said Jānis Mažeiks, the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

Since 2009, the EU CBM programme has empowered 720 companies on both banks of the Nistru River, creating over 1,900 jobs. More than 125 social infrastructure projects have been completed, including repairs of schools, kindergartens, and cultural centers located on both sides, along with 12 projects dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage through conservation and restoration efforts.

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Press release