This project contributes to better protection of rights of vulnerable groups and minorities. All project activities aim to build and strengthen the capacities of the state authorities, legal and law enforcement professionals and civil society representatives to harmonize domestic legal and institutional frameworks, but also the practice with the European and international standards to combat discrimination, hate speech and hate crime in the Republic of Moldova.

This project is implemented within the third Phase of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe Partnership for Good Governance (PGG). It builds on the results of the previous phases of the PGG in the field of promoting equality and non-discrimination (Phase I 2015-2018  and Phase II 2019-2023).

The project activities are based on the European Convention on Human Rights, case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, monitoring findings and standards of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), the recent Recommendation of the  Committee of Ministers on  Combating Hate Speech (CM/REC(2022)16) , but also on the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova (2021-2024) and the European Commission’s opinion on the country’s application for EU membership relating to the candidate status, granting a new European perspective for the Republic of Moldova (2022). 

The project started on 1 March 2023 and will be implemented until February 2026.

• To improve record of reforms in the Republic of Moldova to combat discrimination, hatred and racism in line with European standards, including a better protection of ethnic and sexual minorities.
• To develop a harmonised and effective approach in the Republic of Moldova to tackle these issues.

• Institutions of the Republic of Moldova
• Civil society organisations
• Vulnerable groups
• The general population, all citizens.

The total project budget is EUR 560 000. The overall Programme budget is EUR 19.3 M (80% is co-funded by the European Union and 20% by the Council of Europe).

Through a combination of tailored policy/legislative review, disaggregated data collection, capacity-building and awareness raising actions, peer-to-peer activities and networking.

• To strengthen capacities of the relevant state and non-state actors in the Republic of Moldova to react to discrimination and hatred and protect vulnerable groups and all citizens, in line with ECRI and other European standards in this field;
• To increase awareness in the Moldovan society on the danger of discrimination and on the importance of taking a stand against hatred and discrimination.

• Partnership for Good Governance III
• CoE Inclusion and anti-discrimination  
• Council of Europe Office in Chisinau

The “Partnership for Good Governance” (PGG) is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe for strengthening good governance in the Eastern Partnership region.

PGG provides tailor-made support to Eastern Partnership countries to bring their legislation and practice closer to European standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy. It supports, in particular, Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women.

* While the Partnership for Good Governance does not include activities with the participation of the Belarusian authorities, activities may be organised with the representatives of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces as appropriate in line with the European Council Conclusions of February 2022 and the Decision of the Council of Europe Ministers’ Deputies of March 2022.