Language

Strengthened Participatory Democracy 

 

Moldova Inclusive and Participatory Political Processes (MIPPP)
Implementer: Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS)/IRI and NDI
Project period: 08/2016-07/2026
Projected Budget: $22.6 million


MIPPP works with political parties, national party leaders and emerging political actors, local government officials and CSOs and citizen activists with the aim of ensuring fairer and more transparent political competition in Moldova that is more representative of, and accountable to citizens. In the first phase of the activity, MIPPP focused on three key areas: promoting more inclusive and accountable political parties at the national level, supporting emerging parties and underrepresented groups as they seek to increase their participation in the political system and enhancing party and government officials’ representation of citizens at local level. In June 2022, USAID extended this award and structured phase two around a new set of objectives: democratic political processes strengthened to be more responsive to constituent needs; democratic norms governing the political process solidified; and civic education and engagement of youth, women, and underrepresented populations strengthened. MIPPP uses consultations, guided practice, leadership training, forums and coordinated public opinion research to achieve the activity's objectives.

Comunitatea Mea (My Community)
Implementer: IREX
Project period: 03/2018-03/2026
Projected Budget: $35.5 million


Comunitatea Mea will strengthen local government in Moldova to become more effective, transparent and accountable to citizens. Under this activity USAID will build local government’s capacity to meet citizens’ needs, achieving four main results: 1) improved quality of and access to municipal services; 2) citizens meaningfully engaged in local governance; 3) decentralization policy reforms advanced; and 4) increased locally-generated revenues and improved financial management practices in local governments. The activity will provide comprehensive assistance to up to 130 communities, including towns and villages, primarily targeting local self-government bodies. Local public administrations (LPAs) will engage civic groups and local businesses to develop their communities and improve public services. The activity will also work with central government partners, associations and civil society groups to advance decentralization policy reform, increase LPAs’ financial viability, and address the streamlining of internal processes through digital solutions.

Democratic Transparency and Accountability Program (DTAP)
Implementer: Association Promo-LEX
Project period: 07/2016-03/2025
Projected Budget: $9.05 million


The Democratic Transparency and Accountability (DTAP) Program aims to increase the credibility of electoral processes via election observation and promotion of a conducive enabling environment for political competition. The activity strengthens electoral transparency and accountability mechanisms; enlists actors such as civil society, community groups, rank and file party members, and activists to bring pressure on decision-makers to be more responsive to citizens and engage in fairer and more representative elections and political competition; promote civic activism and human rights education, and combat hate-speech and discrimination.

Civil Society Resilience Activity
Implementer: National Assistance Centre for NGOs in Moldova CONTACT
Project period: 05/2023-05/2028
Projected Budget: $1.49 million


CSRA aims to increase the resiliency of Moldovan civil society by enhancing the ability of civil society organizations (CSOs) to engage with constituents and diversify their resource base. The project will work with local CSOs to raise their ability to mobilize domestic resources in response to community needs and citizen-driven priorities, and to consolidate the capacity of CSOs to engage with Moldovan citizens and relevant constituent groups. CSRA will also work to establish dialogue and trust between CSOs and the corporate sector through joint initiatives and collaboration, to improve philanthropy in Moldova.

MEDIA-M: Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova
Implementer: Internews
Project Period: 04/2017-09/2026
Projected Budget: $14.3 million


MEDIA-M aims to promote the development of independent, professional media that give citizens access to a variety of perspectives, and to create a media sector that is more resilient to political and financial pressures. By focusing on the supply of and demand for objective information, this activity strengthens the ability of independent media to fulfill their role as watchdogs over the government and serve as a space for citizens to engage in public policy dialogue. MEDIA-M’s focus on the legal enabling environment reinforces existing protections for freedom of speech, facilitate better implementation of laws, and advocate for media sector regulation in accordance with international norms.

Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC)
Implementer: Catholic Relief Services
Project Period: 10/2020-09/2025
Projected Budget: $6.5 million


Changing the Way We Care Moldova (CTWWC) is part of a broader Global Development Alliance which works to promote safe, nurturing family care for children reintegrating from residential institutions and children at risk of child-family separation, by strengthening families, and reforming child care systems. In Moldova, the project works with the Government of Moldova to assist children, including children with disabilities, to stay in or return to families through family strengthening interventions that consider the wants and needs of children, the engagement of local community in reintegration and appropriate family-based care, and the transition or transformation of institutions and other residential care, including the national policy and workforce investments necessary to support these needs. After the approval of the National Child Protection Program (NCPP) and its Action Plan for 2022-2025, CTWWC will support more than 30 actions from the NCPP action plan covering Objectives 1 and 3.

Model Court Initiative (MCI)
Implementer: Dexis Consulting Group (former Checchi Consulting)
Project Period: 01/2021- 01/2024
Projected Budget: $5.6 million


The Model Court Initiative works to improve the performance of courts in delivering quality justice services and to improve the connection between courts, communities, and system users. MCI works toward two Objectives: 1) identifying and supporting Moldovan courts in achieving and maintaining Model Court status through improved services to the public, and 2) supplementary national assistance to facilitate changes needed to improve performance at the individual court level. In implementing its activities, MCI works in partnership with key actors and stakeholders in the justice systems in Moldova, primarily the SCM, the MOJ, the ACA, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), as well as the courts throughout the country and CSOs. MCI held an open call for applicants among all first instance courts and has selected Balti, Ungheni and Edinet (selected in June 2022) as pilots of this project to undergo innovative capacity-building focused on court excellence, improved performance, and greater engagement with court users and the general public.

Harnessing Data for the Better Life of the Child (Data For Impact)
Implementer: Palladium Group
Project Period: 09/2018-12/2024
Projected Budget: $7.5 million


The overall goal of the activity is to strengthen the capacity of the government and its partners at national and subnational levels to collect, analyze, and use data to generate a positive impact on children in adversity. The project will develop a fully functional Child Protection Information System (CPIS), able to generate reliable longitudinal data and indicators needed to plan reform initiatives and support decision-making processes. D4I will also strengthen the country's capacity in collecting, analyzing, and using data to inform child protection facilities and care reform at the national and subnational levels. Additional provided funding comes in the support of the government to respond to the refugee crisis, and ensure essential services are provided to both refugees and Moldovan citizens. D4I will implement various activities, focused on gathering high quality data, supporting the review and use of data to inform government decisions, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of Ukrainian refugees currently in Moldova and the host communities. D4I program will expand activities to support the roll-out of the Information System in Child Protection (CPIS), the Social Assistance Reform, and safeguarding of children in the digital environment.

Enhancing Democracy in Moldova via Inclusive and Transparent Elections
Implementer: United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Project Period: 08/2017-12/2023
Projected Budget: $3.7 million


Enhancing Democracy in Moldova through Inclusive and Transparent Elections (EDMITE) seeks to achieve the enhanced integrity, transparency, and inclusiveness of the electoral process in Moldova by ensuring a more independent and credible electoral administration and better informed and pro-active citizens. EDMITE, which entered its second phase in 2020, has focused on modernizing IT solutions by increasing the functional and technical capacities of the State Automated Information System “Elections” (SAISE); developing and implementing voter information and civic education programs; strengthening the capacity for effective and coherent oversight and monitoring of political party and electoral campaign financing; and improving the legal and regulatory framework to respond to recommendations made by election observation missions.

Support to the Pre-Vetting Secretariat (SPVS)
Implementer: Dexis Consulting Group (Dexis)
Project Period: 02/2022 - 06/2023
Projected Budget: $2.3 million


This project supports the Moldovan Government’s efforts to reform the justice system through the extraordinary evaluation process/vetting. The preliminary stage of vetting - called “pre-vetting” is the process of checking the financial and ethical integrity of candidates for the self-administration bodies of the judges and prosecutors, respectively the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and Superior Council of Prosecutors (SCP). The pre-vetting lays the basis for the full-fledged integrity check of the entire judicial and prosecutorial bodies, to ensure a system of merit-based and professional cadre, by removing corrupt members, and strengthening public confidence in the system. Through this activity USAID supports the operations of a 17-person Secretariat to assist a Pre-Vetting Commission tasked to evaluate the integrity of candidates for judicial and prosecutorial self-administration bodies. A total number of 95 candidates underwent pre-vetting, with a passage rate of 18% for judges, 25% for non-judges, both members of the SCM, and 40% passage rate for prosecutors.

Justice and Anti-Corruption Reform Activity (JARA)
Implementer: Dexis Consulting Group (Dexis)
Project Period: 03/2023 - 03/2026
Projected Budget: $6 million


The purpose of the Justice and Anti-Corruption Reform Activity (Task Order 3 (TO3) under the Effective Justice IDIQ) is to support the Moldovan Government’s efforts to implement justice reform and promote its anti-corruption commitments.  Support will contribute to the establishment and operation of a mini-secretariat to monitor the implementation of the Justice Development Strategy for years 2022-2025 (hereinafter referred to as the Justice Strategy) and its corresponding Plan; pursue implementation of specific activities from the Justice Strategy and Plan, including targeted assistance for the extraordinary evaluation of judges and prosecutors; and advance anti-corruption reform through implementation of specific commitments.

Moldova Rural LEADER Project (MRLP)
Implementer: Solidarity Fund PL
Project Period: 08/2020-08/2026
USAID contribution: $3 million


The project goal is to provide Moldovan communities with comprehensive assistance for local development, following the EU LEADER / Community-led Local Development approach, by involving all community actors (representatives of the public, private and civic sectors) and addressing local development challenges. The project will improve the competitiveness and living conditions in rural communities with a strong people empowerment dimension. The objectives will be achieved by: 1) facilitating the process of creating 16 new local inter-sectoral partnerships - Local Action Groups (LAGs), thus extending the coverage to 650,000 inhabitants and approximately on 35% of the territory; 2) supporting the existing 26 LAGs; 3) piloting innovative methodologies; 4) building the organizational capacity of the National LEADER Network and of LAGs to build smarter LEADER.

Moldova - Commercial Mediation and Arbitration (Phase IV) (Program Contribution Agreement)
Implementer: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO)
Project Period: 06/2018 - 12/2023
Projected Budget: $1.5 million


The Project was launched in 2013 to support the implementation of the first Justice Reform Strategy (2011-2015), which specifically focused on strengthening the system of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Moldova and promoting its use in the business community. USAID’s contribution to Phase IV (2018-2022) aims at assisting the Government of Moldova to advocate for the use of commercial mediation on a national scale, as well as improving access to arbitration and raising the level of skills relevant for arbitration. Through the activities conducted under this project, ADR shall be established and become a business norm in Moldova.