EU4Digital and DG NEAR visit Moldova: fostering digital development and innovation

To strengthen digital development and innovation in Moldova, representatives of the EU4Digital Facility and the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) visited the country on 14-16 June 2023. The visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and explore initiatives that are advancing the Republic of Moldova’s digital landscape. 

Engaging with key stakeholders

During the country visit, EU4Digital Team Leader Arturas Piliponis and other EU4Digital representatives joined DG NEAR Programme Manager for Digital Economy and Development Thibault Charlet in meeting notable local stakeholders. 

Mihai Lupascu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, together with advisers to the minister, emphasised the Moldovan government’s commitment to promoting digital transformation in various sectors. They reconfirmed the alignment of EU4Digital activities with the country’s priorities. After this discussion, Thibault Charlet said he was honoured and grateful for the fruitful meeting. 

Digital transformation in line with EU standards will bring a wealth of benefits and opportunities to citizens and businesses. Our EU4Digital Initiative and Economic and Investment Plan are key tools to support Moldova on its path to the Digital Single Market and we hope Moldova continues to progress on this path.

Thibault Charlet, Programme Manager for Digital Economy and Development, DG NEAR 

Rodica Crudu, Deputy Director of the Organisation for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), shared insights into the organisation’s initiatives to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Moldova. Discussions focused on enhancing digital skills, promoting innovation, and supporting the growth of startups and small businesses.  

The delegates reiterated the need for collaboration between the European Union and Moldova in areas such as e-trade, e-governance, digital infrastructure and trust services. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning policies and strategies to ensure a conducive environment for digital growth. 

The EU4Digital and DG NEAR visitors also met Boris Filipov, Programme Officer with the EU Delegation to Moldova, and Inga Pascal, the Harmonisation of Digital Markets (HDM) coordinator.  

Exploring digital innovation centres

The delegates visited several hubs of the country’s digital ecosystem. These prominent digital innovation centres represent Moldova’s dedication to nurturing digital skills and fostering innovation.

• The Orange Digital Centre offers IT-related training programmes for various categories of beneficiaries, including socially vulnerable groups, and serves as a hub for digital expertise. The delegates were impressed by the centre’s state-of-the-art facilities and its commitment in bridging the digital skills gap in Moldova.
• The Future Class Centre showcased the integration of digital technologies in education, providing a glimpse into the transformative potential of digital innovation. The delegates learned about the centre’s initiatives to equip teachers with digital tools, foster creativity and promote interactive learning experiences for students.
• Mediacor showcased the integration of digital technologies in the media industry. The delegates had the opportunity to explore the innovative approaches used by Mediacor in digital content creation, media production, and distribution.
• FabLab Chisinau is a fabrication laboratory and innovation hub. It is known for providing access to advanced digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The hub enables individuals to transform their ideas into tangible products. The FabLab visit showcased the importance of hands-on learning, prototyping and collaborative innovation.
• Tekwill is a renowned technology hub and startup accelerator that plays a vital role in nurturing technological innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. The visit to Tekwill provided the delegates with insights into the potential of the centre to support the growth of the digital ecosystem. Tekwill also hosted the Moldova Digital Summit on 15-17 June, in which the delegates participated. 

Visiting these centres consolidated the delegates’ understanding of Moldova’s diverse digital ecosystem. It highlighted the role of technology in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship in the country. The interactions served as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration and the exploration of potential partnerships. 

Moldova’s digital future

The visit to Moldova provided a unique opportunity for the EU4Digital and DG NEAR representatives to gain first-hand insights into the country’s digital landscape, engage with the stakeholders actively driving digital development, and to discuss collaboration, knowledge sharing and capacity building to advance the digital agenda. 

EU4Digital Team Leader Arturas Piliponis was impressed by the variety of impactful initiatives and programmes currently running in Moldova.  “A country’s wealth doesn’t dictate its capacity for digital growth and innovation; instead, it’s the energy and creativity of its people that matter,” he said. “Talent and innovation development is crucial for future success. Moldova is fully aware of its digital gaps and objectives, with a Digital Strategy ready to launch.” 

The insights gained during the visit will contribute to ongoing EU4Digital efforts to advance digital transformation, enhance digital skills, support entrepreneurship and stimulate innovation in Moldova.