Republic of Moldova
The Republic of Moldova has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995 and ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1997. The latest Congress monitoring report from 2025 highlighted improved collaboration between the central government and local authorities and the government’s demonstrable commitment to territorial reforms aimed at addressing the fragmentation of local government. The Congress has supported the Republic of Moldova’s efforts to strengthen multilevel dialogue, improve governance at the local level, and align with European standards.
Notable achievements include progress in decentralisation reforms, the development of a Public Administration Reform Strategy for 2023–2030, and the adoption of the Fifth National Action Plan to the Open Government Partnership (2023–2025) both co-created with local authorities. Building on these reforms, the Centre of Expertise provides tailored policy advice and supports local authorities to adopt transparent, and inclusive governance practices.
Ongoing projects in the Republic of Moldova.
Promoting multilevel dialogue, open government and human rights at local level in the Republic of Moldova
The project aims to enhance local governance in the Republic of Moldova by strengthening multilevel dialogue, supporting the Public Administration Reform, fostering open government principles, and ensuring that a human rights-based approach is integrated into local decision-making processes.
Promoting Civil Participation in Political Decision-Making in the Republic of Moldova
The project aims to strengthen democratic governance in the Republic of Moldova through effective civil participation. The project seeks to enhance citizen and civil society organisation’s engagement in decision-making beyond elections. It focuses on ensuring that political decisions at local and national levels are informed by recommendations from diverse societal sectors, with a particular emphasis on youth, women and underrepresented groups.
Completed projects in the Republic of Moldova
Reinforcing the culture of dialogue and ethical open local governance in the Republic of Moldova (2022 – 2024)
The project aimed at strengthening the political dialogue between local and central authorities, improving the quality of local governance through integrity, corruption prevention, open government, public ethics, and gender equality at local level, as well as supporting authorities with regards to migration management.
Strengthening resilience in local and regional authorities facing migration challenges (2023-2024)
The Congress, with the support of Germany, contributed to the Council of Europe Action Plan on protecting vulnerable persons in the context of migration and asylum in Europe (2021-2025) by providing support to local and regional authorities and their national associations in Poland, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania, which are facing the migratory consequences arising from the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Reinforcing the culture of dialogue and consultation of local authorities in the Republic of Moldova (2020-2021)
The project aimed at strengthening the institutional capacities of the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM) in areas such as policy dialogue and advocacy, good governance and municipal management standards, and provision of quality services to its members in view of addressing one of the key shortcomings highlighted in the Congress’ Recommendation 436(2019) – the lack of consultation of local authorities by higher levels of government.
The Republic of Moldova and the Council of Europe
- Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025 - 2028
- Council of Europe Office in Chisinau
- Council of Europe’s Directorate of Programme Co-ordination – Actions in the Republic of Moldova
- European Charter of Local Self-Government -
- Monitoring report on the Republic of Moldova
- Delegation of the Republic of Moldova to the Congress
- Congress’ Recommendation 436 (2019) on Local and regional democracy in the Republic of Moldova
Contact Marité MORAS
Head of the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance