In late June 2026, a group of Moldovan electoral officials stepped into the heart of one of Europe’s most established democracies - Norway - to ask one question: what does it really take to build trust in elections? For years, Norway has been a benchmark in one of the best functioning democracies in the world, including effective election administration—with voter outreach in 15 languages, long-term electoral planning, libertine campaign finance oversight, and digital systems designed to safeguard against cyber threats and disinformation. These achievements are not accidental—they are the product of decades of meticulous work, and this study visit was a rare chance for Moldovan participants to learn how such trust is built and kept alive in practice.

“We came to learn not just what Norway does, but how they keep the trust of their people,” said one participant. “The openness, the communication, the way institutions cooperate both with each other and with citizens—it’s inspiring, and it’s something we want to bring home.” Moldovan officials spent their days exchanging with representatives from multiple Norwegian ministries and agencies, digging deep into the mechanics and human aspects of election administration.

The lessons were striking. Moldovan participants highlighted the “outstanding synergy between electoral authorities,” the importance of “transparency, timely planning, and clear rules” in Norway’s system, and the way “education and outreach are constant, not only during election periods.” The visit underscored the value of approaches like digitalisation, pre-established election dates (parliamentary election e-days could be anticipated for years ahead), and separate oversight bodies for campaign finance—measures that could directly benefit Moldova, where legal complexity and mistrust remain persistent challenges. “Investing in long-term civic education and permanent, not just periodic, voter information is one takeaway I’m bringing back,” said another official. “This is how you build a responsible and confident electorate”.

But this exchange was not a one-way street. Norwegian hosts were keen to learn from the Republic of Moldova’s recent experience of running elections despite disinformation campaigns and attempts at foreign interference. The Republic of Moldova’s resilience and practical strategies in such conditions are increasingly relevant across Europe, as even well-established democracies now face hybrid threats and information manipulation. Deputy Director General of the Department of Local Government, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development of Norway, Marie Svendsen Mjøsund, stressed the importance of the event for involved sides: “Our discussions provided an excellent platform to exchange experiences and learn from each other’s practices in the important work of strengthening democratic resilience. The delegation brought valuable and insightful perspectives on our institutional and legal framework, which enriched our own reflections. We particularly value the openness of the dialogue, this exchange has laid a strong foundation for cooperation and mutual learning.”

As several officials noted, learning happens in both directions, and cooperation remains the most powerful tool to ensure elections are free, fair, and trusted.

A highlight of the visit was the meeting with Moldovan diaspora in Oslo. Among the crowd was Aurelia Dub from the Republic of Moldova, who is a founder of the “La Bunei” (“At the grandparents”) Museum in the village of Minnesund.

During my 11 years in Norway, I saw firsthand how well democracy can work, and how vital it is that every citizen can vote easily and feel that their voice is heard. I hope that people from the Republic of Moldova, wherever they are, can also vote without difficulty and trust that their vote truly matters”, she said during the meetup.  

The gathering was a chance for diaspora members to discuss the challenges of voting from abroad, while also expressing their desire for alternative, accessible voting methods.

“Diaspora counts for the Republic of Moldova. We need more frequent meetings, discussions and trainings to keep our citizens connected to what happens back home”, said one of the participants of the study visit. Practical suggestions ranged from expanding vote by mail, improving digital access, and sustained outreach to young voters.

The event was carried out within the Project ”Improving Electoral Practice in the Republic of Moldova (IEPRM) 2025-2028”, part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028, in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.