EU-funded project supports Volunteer Firefighters Festival in Moldova

Over 150 volunteer firefighters and rescuers from across Moldova gathered on 18 October for the fourth edition of the Volunteer Firefighters Festival in Gura Bîcului village in the Anenii Noi district. 

During the festival, volunteer firefighting teams demonstrated their skills. The programme also included educational activities, competitions, an emergency response equipment exhibition, local product fairs, and entertainment for children.

“Volunteering means initiative, teamwork, and a sincere desire to contribute to the common good. These activities shape young people, teaching them to act decisively and believe in their own strength,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin.

The event was organised by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Gura Bîcului Municipality, as part the EU-funded project ‘EU4Resilient Moldova: secure state, resilient communities’.

“When disaster strikes, every minute counts — and volunteer firefighters are often the first to arrive. They are neighbours helping neighbours, citizens protecting their communities, people standing together when it matters most,” said Iwona Piórko, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. “That’s why the European Union invests in developing the volunteer firefighter network and strengthening the bond between citizens and civil protection institutions.”

There are currently 25 volunteer firefighter and rescuer stations active in the Republic of Moldova, with over 300 volunteers involved. To reach an average intervention time comparable to EU standards – under 15 minutes – the network needs to expand to at least 114 active rural stations.

The ‘EU4Resilient Moldova: secure state, resilient communities’ project, funded by the European Union and implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, includes the construction of 10 new volunteer firefighter stations, renovation of 10 others, and equipment of 35 units with modern tools. The total investment amounts to 44 million lei, provided by the European Union.

Find out more

Press release