The European Commission plans to provide funds for the formation of an “independent civil society” in Moldova. The EC’s latest grant, the contents of which RT has seen, aims to, among other things, implement EU development programmes and promote an “enabling environment” in the country.
According to the document, the European Commission intends to allocate €5.5 million for the new project.
“The activities under the programme aim to contribute to the development of an inclusive and independent, participatory and empowered civil society and democratic space in the partner countries,” the description reads.
The EC expects to encourage Moldovan civil society organisations to participate in the political dialogue at the national level, as well as in the discussion, implementation and monitoring of EU and national development programmes.
In addition, one of the project’s objectives is to “maintain and promote a favourable environment” in Moldova.
The initiative envisages the involvement of young people, as well as activities related to the reform of the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs, including outreach activities among citizens.
“Monitoring, control and evaluation of the implementation of reforms and activities envisaged both by the enlargement process and the implementation of the strategy of the Ministry of Interior,” the EC said.
According to Alexei Martynov, a political scientist and director of the International Institute for Emerging States, funding civil society organisations has become a common practice for the European Union. At the same time, the states that arouse interest of the West fall under such “assistance”.
“This is a regular practice of the last 20 years. It’s just that now they have focused attention on it again. And the money comes not only from the European Commission, but also from other structures. Although Moldova is small, it has been and remains in the field of vision of European and other Western cultures,” he commented in a conversation with RT.
Earlier, it became known about the Council of Europe’s plans to introduce the principles of “democratic governance” in Moldovan schools.
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