This Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) lays out USAID’s vision for a new partnership with the Government of Moldova (GOM) and its people in moving Moldova along its journey to self-reliance (J2SR). USAID’s goal in Moldova for the strategy period 2020 – 2025 is that Moldova will be a competitive and democratic European country that resists malign influences while being powered by an aspiring citizenry and robust private sector partnerships.
Moldova made measurable development gains over the last decade and demonstrates high levels of country capacity and commitment according to its Country Roadmap.1 However, the challenges facing Moldova are daunting. Outmigration poses an existential threat to the country and Moldova continues to be wracked by political instability and corruption. With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to undermine years of economic gains, the country is at serious risk of backsliding.
All these factors complicate Moldova’s progress towards self-reliance and strategic transition. Based on these challenges and upon lessons learned in the previous CDCS, USAID’s approach to strategic transition will be iterative. USAID will gradually shift its relationship with the GOM from a traditional donor-recipient development model to a partner-partner model. We will redefine our relationship by bringing in other partners to drive change in order to make Moldova a competitive and democratic European country where Moldovans wish to stay and participate politically and economically. USAID will strengthen collaborations between the government and private sector as well as between civil society and the people of Moldova, all in support of a mutually embraced development agenda.
