Moldova: Citizens Speak

Freedom House and its partners work to mobilize civil society in support of democratic reforms, fundamental freedoms, and government accountability in Moldova.

Citizens Speak: Advancing Citizen-Led Democratic Reform in Moldova

Freedom House implements the Citizens Speak: Advancing Citizen-Led Democratic Reform in Moldova program. In the wake of the political crisis in Moldova that erupted following the November 2020 presidential elections, this program aims to empower citizens to seize this moment of political risk and opportunity by tipping the scales in favor of meaningful democratic reforms which will address immediate threats to government accountability and the rule of law. In collaboration with local partners INVENTO and the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption (CAPC), the project supports a cohesive ecosystem in which citizen-driven demand for reform is nurtured, amplified and channeled to achieve democratic change.

Program Partners

Civil Society Rapid Response Policy Advocacy

Freedom House, in collaboration with local partner the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption (CAPC), prepares rapid response policy statements in response to legislative developments at the national level that threaten human rights and fundamental freedoms or erode government accountability. CAPC engages local subject-matter experts and representatives from civil society to inform the development and submission of these policy statements to relevant decisionmakers in governments. In early September 2021, CAPC submitted to Parliament one such policy statement regarding the draft amendment to Law no. 133/2016 on the National Integrity Authority and Law no. 133/2016 on Declaring Wealth and Personal Interests. CAPC’s Opinion critically examines the amendment, which aims to improve the regulatory framework to solve serious problems regarding the declaration, verification, and investigation of assets of those who are legally compelled to declare these assets, and provides pertinent recommendations to policymakers on reducing risks associated with the legislative initiative.

Grant Support for Citizen Mobilization to Address Reform and Accountability Issues

Freedom House invites applications for funding and support from citizen-led initiatives and advocacy campaigns based in the Republic of Moldova that seek to advance democratic reform and fundamental freedoms and/or enhance government accountability at local and national levels.

The competition for grants is now closed. For detailed information on the most recent competition, please click here.

Citizens Speak Roundtable

On April 19, Freedom House organized the “Citizens Speak” Roundtable which brought together over 50 government officials and members of civil society and independent media to discuss the recommendations and reform priorities under the project and chart a path forward. Representatives from project partner Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Corruption and national justice sector bodies highlighted the role of civil society in promoting the practice of whistleblowing – a key facet of the project. The directors of Freedom House’s media partners, Ziarul de Garda and Moldova.org, shared their experience using investigative journalism and solution journalism to promote democratic reform and government accountability. Project partner INVENTO emphasized the importance of civil society in fostering democratic processes on the local level. Finally, Cu Sens, ADO Lex XXI, and Minority Youth Moldova reviewed the achievements of their citizen-led initiatives carried out over the course of the project.

Supporting Judicial Integrity in Moldova

Moldova Media-M

Moldova: Research & Analysis