On 25 August 2025, 27 mayors from the Republic of Moldova visited ALDA’s Brussels office as part of their two-day mission to the European capital, organised under the invitation of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. Their stop at ALDA was a key moment to connect local leaders from Moldova with a network that has been actively supporting local democracy and citizen participation across the Eastern Partnership for more than two decades.
The meeting provided a space for constructive dialogue on the challenges and opportunities that local authorities face in Moldova, particularly in a context marked by democratic transition and the country’s European integration path. During the discussions, ALDA presented its longstanding commitment to Moldova and the wider Eastern Partnership region, highlighting ongoing programmes that foster citizen engagement, strengthen transparent governance, and empower civil society organisations.
“Local authorities are the cornerstone of democratic resilience,” underlined ALDA’s Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida. “By working hand in hand with mayors and communities, we ensure that democratic values take root where they matter most — at the local level.”
ALDA’s action in the Eastern Partnership
Within the Eastern Partnership (EaP), ALDA maintains an active presence in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, while also working closely with the Belarusian diaspora. In a region where political instability, democratic backsliding, human rights violations, and shrinking civic space continue to intersect, ALDA has developed a strategy designed to be both responsive and resilient.
In Moldova specifically, ALDA contributes by:
- Creating mechanisms for social accountability and active civic engagement
- Providing technical and financial assistance to local initiatives and CSOs
- Supporting participatory budgeting processes in local communities
- Advocating within national and international platforms such as the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and the Open Government Partnership
This work is embedded in ALDA’s broader mission to promote inclusive governance and citizen participation, while facilitating exchanges between Moldovan civil society actors and their European counterparts.
In particular, among all the ongoing projects in the region which further strengthen Moldova’s democratic path, we recall:
- INSPIRED Moldova, which empowers Moldovan civil society to actively shape national policies and play a leading role in the country’s integration into the European Union. Already in its first year, the project has provided financial support to more than 25 associations, funding initiatives in civic education, community development, and participatory democracy.
- On a different note, the project MICAD – Metropolitan Inclusivity in Climate And Digital Transitions enhances how metropolitan authorities approach climate and digital transitions, placing inclusivity and multilevel governance at the centre of action.
- And the BRIDGE to the Council of Europe builds resilience for democratic governance by fostering dialogue with the Council of Europe and strengthening civil society’s ability to engage effectively in democratic processes. This project addresses challenges common to Moldova and the wider Eastern Partnership, such as shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding, while promoting citizen participation and the Council of Europe’s core values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
A shared vision for the future
The mayors’ visit came at a crucial time, as Moldova advances on its path towards EU membership. The exchanges at ALDA’s Brussels office reaffirmed the essential role of local governments in shaping this trajectory, ensuring that reforms are grounded in the needs of citizens and communities.
By hosting the Moldovan delegation, ALDA reinforced its role as a bridge between European institutions and local realities, continuing its long-standing contribution to democracy, resilience, and peace in the Eastern Partnership.
👉 Stay tuned for the BRIDGE to the CoE upcoming event in Chișinău, in October 2025, a high-level occasion to discuss democratic governance, strengthen civil society’s role, and reinforce Moldova’s European integration path.
