What is the goal and objective of the action?

The project “Advancing employment rights in the Republic of Moldova” aligns with the objectives and priorities of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2028, particularly priority area 2.2.1 “Effective implementation of the European Social Charter” and directly supports Moldova’s commitments in the context of the European Union accession process, notably Chapter 19 of the EU acquis on Social Policy and Employment.

The project builds on the results of the previous Council of Europe project “Enhancing employment rights in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented during 2023–2025. It responds to the structural challenges identified through national consultations, desk reviews, and needs assessments with key national stakeholders. To address existing challenges, the project applies an integrated approach that combines legislative and policy reform, institutional strengthening, and targeted support measures for people from vulnerable groups.

Overall objective:

Observance of labour and employment rights is further strengthened in line with international standards, and people from vulnerable groups benefit from improved access to vocational education, training, and subsequent employment opportunities.

Specific objectives:

• Government officials, members of Parliament and relevant target groups (labour inspectors, legal professionals, representatives from the Ombudsperson Institution, Equality Council, social partners, Civil Society Organisations and others) further promote and protect labour and employment rights of people from vulnerable groups, in line with European standards.
• The national authorities, including the Ministry of Education and Research, General Secondary and Vocational Education and Training Institutions, National Employment Agency, Youth Centres, Civil Society Organisations, public and private companies facilitate the access of people from vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, Vocational Education and Training students with special needs and young people who are not in employment, education and training (NEET youth) to the Vocational Education and Training system and labour market.

 Budget: EUR 1.500.000. The project is funded through the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025 – 2028.

 Duration of the project: 36 months (January 2026 – December 2028)

 Leaflet of the project “Advancing employment rights in the Republic of Moldova”

 Who benefits from the action/project?

Staff from public institutions, Ombudsperson Institution, Equality Council; legal professionals (judges, lawyers) and law students; social partners’ representatives; management, teachers and students of General Secondary and Vocational Education and Training institutions; people from vulnerable/disadvantaged groups, in particular people with disabilities; NEET youth.

The final beneficiaries: The general population, benefitting from enhanced protection of employment rights.

 What do we expect to achieve?

• The capacities of national authorities to further align and implement the new gender sensitive legislative framework and practices in the area of labour and employment rights (including of people from vulnerable groups) with the standards provided by the European Social Charter, European Union relevant acquis and best practices, are further enhanced;
• The Ombudsperson Institution, Equality Council, Civil Society Organisations, social partners and legal professionals have increased knowledge and skills to protect and promote social rights;
• The national authorities, including the Ministry of Education and Research, General Secondary and Vocational Education and Training Institutions, National Employment Agency, demonstrate enhanced capacity to strengthen career guidance within the secondary and Vocational Education and Training systems, and to promote vocational education and training as an attractive pathway for employability and skills development;
• National and regional authorities, the Ministry of Education and Research, Vocational Education and Training institutions, the National Employment Agency, and relevant target groups (representatives of National Employment Agency territorial offices, Civil Society Organisations, youth centres, social partners, public and private companies, etc) are consolidated to integrate people from vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, VET students with special needs, NEET youth, into the VET system and the labour market.

 Useful links:

• Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law – DGI
• Revised European Social Charter of 1996
• Department of Social Rights
• European Committee of Social Rights