EU Ambassador to Moldova Iwona Piórko meets students as Young European Ambassadors launch outreach series

On 23 February, students from the ‘Vasile Alecsandri’ High School in Chișinău learned more about the European Union (EU) during the ‘More EU in Moldova’ event organised by the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) together with the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova. Over 80 students explored an interactive EU-YEA fair and took part in an open dialogue with EU Ambassador Iwona Piórko and content creator Cătălin Lungu.

A group of six YEAs from Moldova were joined by five YEAs from Romania, France, Italy and Ukraine, fostering cross-border dialogue and exchange between young people from EU Member States and Moldova.

The EU-YEA fair featured dedicated stands hosted by Young European Ambassadors and the Euro Club of the ‘Vasile Alecsandri‘ high school. Through interactive games, quizzes and informal discussions, students tested their knowledge about the European Union, discovered interesting facts about Europe, and learned about the tangible results of EU-Moldova cooperation.

The fair was followed by a joint presentation, which brought together students from different classes, covering key information on EU-Moldova cooperation, core EU values, Moldova’s accession process, the Moldova Growth Plan, which represents the EU’s largest financial support package for the country, and concrete benefits of EU support at the local level. The session concluded with a quiz facilitated by the YEAs.

Addressing the students, EU Ambassador Iwona Piórko said supporting and empowering young people was a core priority for the European Union. 

“That’s why programmes like Erasmus+, EU4Youth, internships, exchanges, and trainings exist – to open doors, to connect you, and to equip you with the tools you need to grow,” said Iwona Piórko. “But these opportunities make a difference only if you choose to step forward. Be curious. Be courageous. Apply, get involved, ask questions, challenge ideas, and bring your energy into your communities. Your voice matters in shaping Moldova’s future – so dare to use it.”

The initiative ‘More EU in Moldova’ aims to engage young people and the wider public in an accessible and interactive way, highlighting the EU’s role as a strategic partner and its support for future generations.

“It is inspiring to see how motivated students are to learn more about the EU and Moldova’s European path. These meetings help young people feel more confident about their role in shaping the future,” said Valeria Cabac, a Young European Ambassador from Moldova.

Juliette Coiffard, a Young European Ambassador from the EU, added: “These meetings show how important youth dialogue is for strengthening mutual understanding between Moldova and the European Union. Young people are at the heart of our shared European future.”

The outreach programme will continue in Ungheni and Soroca until 26 February, with further school visits, EU-YEA fairs and discussions focused on youth opportunities and EU-Moldova cooperation. The schools hosting the visits are part of the national network of Euro Clubs and EU Information Centres. Across the Republic of Moldova, 30 such centres operate as local platforms for engagement, organising activities and discussions on European topics within their communities.

The Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) initiative is a non-political, voluntary, 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 network aims to raise awareness about the EU’s cooperation with its Eastern partner countries, showcase the tangible results of this cooperation, contribute to policy dialogue, increase civic activism and work together for a better future.