Chișinău, Moldova: Thirty civil society activists from across the Eastern Partnership region gathered in Moldova last week for the Networking Event – a two-day gathering that brought together Eastern Partnership Civil Society Fellows of the 2024 and 2025 Fellowship cohorts. Held in the heart of a sunny Chișinău, the event offered space for reflection, peer learning, and future collaboration among civic leaders working in diverse areas – from digital innovation and civic education to community mobilisation, environmental sustainability, and human rights advocacy.
Opening the event, Martina Spernbauer, Team Leader for Governance, Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, welcomed participants with a strong message of support to all Fellows: “Over the next days, this room will be a place of ideas, of experience, of resilience. But above all, it will be a space for connection – between people, projects, and countries. You are incredible individuals from across the Eastern Partnership region – each bringing your story, your community, and your vision for change. Whether you work on environmental issues or human rights, your presence here is a reminder that civil society is alive and determined, even in the most difficult environments.”
Martina Spernbauer also underlined the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting active citizens and strong civil societies throughout the region: “This EU-funded Fellowship programme is about people – those who lead by example and who take action even when the context is challenging. These are not easy times – misinformation is rising, polarization is deepening, and activists often pay a high personal price for their work. And yet – you are here. Still building, still resisting, still believing. That’s why the EU continues to stand by civil society. Through this Fellowship programme and many other initiatives, we support your independence, your innovation, and your impact. Not because it’s charity, but because it’s right.”
Throughout the two days, Fellows shared their expertise in navigating complex civic landscapes. Topics included strategies for resilience in the face of shrinking civic space, effective community mobilization and campaigning, managing and motivating volunteers, and building sustainable collaboration across borders and sectors. They explored which lessons are unique to their contexts and which can be translated across the region to support other civic actors.
A special part of the programme included learning exchanges with Moldovan civil society organisations that are driving impactful, community-based initiatives. IPRE (Institute for European Policies and Reforms) provided insight into their work strengthening participatory democracy and accelerating Moldova’s European integration through research, policy advocacy, and civic engagement. The Moldova Project shared their long-term approach to supporting vulnerable families and preventing child abandonment by promoting self-sufficiency and social inclusion. e-Circular, a pioneering NGO promoting sustainable waste management and circular economy practices, presented their model for training communities and institutions in eco-conscious solutions.
Fellows also visited EcoVillage Moldova, a community rooted in sustainable living, education, and ecological innovation. Situated near the village of Rîșcova, EcoVillage offered Fellows a unique environment to explore alternative approaches to personal development, environmental stewardship, and community-building. The visit sparked rich conversations around the intersection of sustainability and civic action, with many Fellows inspired by the way ecological values are embedded into everyday practices.
The event fostered new connections across borders, encouraged joint problem-solving, and strengthened the sense of shared purpose that drives the EaP Fellowship community.
Photos by ARTUR VON LUPU
