Council of Europe Office in Chisinau

When learning becomes a bridge between people 🌍 Languages are more than words and grammar. They give us access to new perspectives, cultures and ways of engaging with one another. In this spirit, Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, visited the National Library of the Republic of Moldova and opened the “European Day of Languages 2026 at the Natlional Library of the Republic of Moldova: Languages Unite Us!” Brain Ring competition. 📚 Her interaction with the participants turned the event into a lively exchange on the importance of language learning, linguistic diversity and intercultural communication. Natalia encouraged the young participants to trust their knowledge and wished them every success in the competition. During the visit, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău donated to the National Library a series of postage stamps issued to mark the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Moldova’s accession to the Council of Europe — a symbolic gesture connecting memory, identity and the country’s European journey. ✉️ The Council of Europe promotes a Europe where linguistic diversity is valued and dialogue is the key to mutual understanding. Languages do not only describe the world. They help us build it together. 🤝

Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, held a courtesy meeting with President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu. The meeting highlighted the importance of the ongoing cooperation between the Council of Europe and the Republic of Moldova, particularly in the areas of justice reform, the rule of law, human rights and democratic governance. The discussions also covered the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova, which serves as a framework for supporting national reforms and strengthening the country’s democratic resilience. A strong justice system is built on independent institutions, accountable decision-making and respect for everyone’s rights. Through legal expertise, dialogue and institutional cooperation, the Council of Europe will continue to support the Republic of Moldova in advancing reforms in line with European standards. Press release: https://go.coe.int/F3ESb

From confiscation order to effective recovery of criminal assets A confiscation order is an important step, but the process does not end there. Criminal assets still need to be traced, relevant information brought together and the order effectively enforced. On 23–24 September, prosecutors and representatives of the National Anticorruption Centre and Criminal Assets Recovery Agency, General Police Inspectorate, State Tax Service and Financial Intelligence Unit are taking part in a two-day Council of Europe training in Chișinău on post-conviction financial investigations. The focus is on the practical work behind effective confiscation. Where are the assets? What information can help trace them? Who owns or controls them? Which authorities need to act, and how can they work together effectively? Through case scenarios, group exercises and discussion, participants are looking at how financial information and analysis can support the identification and tracing of assets, how confiscation orders are enforced and how different institutions can better connect their work. Strong laws are essential, but they are only part of the picture. Effective confiscation also depends on skilled professionals, the right tools and close co-operation between the authorities involved. The activity is organised as part of the Council of Europe project “Action against money laundering and terrorism financing in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by a grant from the U.S. Government.

⚖️ Justice professionals are strengthening their response to violence against women, domestic violence and femicide. An effective response requires coordinated action , timely intervention and a victim-centred approach. Strengthening the knowledge, skills and cooperation of justice professionals is essential to preventing violence and ensuring that victims have access to justice, protection and support. Read more here: https://go.coe.int/r6Ovg

📣 Job Vacancy The Council of Europe Office in Chișinău is hiring a Project Linguistic Assistant. ⏳ Application deadline: 2 October 2026 📌 For more information and to apply, please follow the link below: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/emKG2kJX

🎓 Trainers from the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova came together for an activity that highlights the difference between delivering content and actually facilitating learning. A trainer creates the conditions for participants to think, debate, and work through problems. In a session supported by the Council of Europe and the European Union, the participants learned just that: - How a discussion on a case study leads to genuine critical thinking of the participants; - How do you run a role play or a simulation which leads to real change; - How do you formulate questions that lead to impactful discussions. NIJ trainers learned through demonstrations, exercises and reflection how to refine their art of teaching. Because training well isn't a natural gift, but a skill that gets built. 🚀 #CouncilofEurope #EuropeanUnion #JusticeReform #NationalInstituteOfJustice 

The Head of Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, Natalia Voutova, met today with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Vasile Tofan on the ocasion of the beginning of her mandate in the Republic of Moldova. "A very interesting exchange today with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan on the strong co-operation between the Republic of Moldova and the Council of Europe. We discussed Republic of Moldova’s European path, the importance of strong and resilient democratic institutions, a key priority for the Council of Europe’s #NewDemocraticPact for Europe, an initiative of Secretary General Alain Berset. Our discussion reaffirmed the close alignment between Republic of Moldova national priorities and the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2028. I look forward to continuing our dialogue and working together to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Republic of Moldova”, said Ms. Voutova. Guvernul Republicii Moldova

⚡Who gets a seat at the table? At the 5th Moldova Youth Forum 🇲🇩, more than 500 young people from across the country came together with national authorities and international partners to talk about democracy, freedom of expression, AI and European integration.   Young people were joined by President Maia Sandu who spoke about democracy and the role youth play in shaping their country's path forward.   Council of Europe was represented by Xesc Mainzer Cardell, PhD, Vice-Chair of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth, and his message was clear: 👉 Youth participation isn’t about inviting young people into a room. It’s about giving them a real hand in shaping what happens in that room. Housing. Inequality. Trust in institutions - These aren’t just “young people’s problems”. They are a stress test for democracy. And if we want democracy to work, we need to stop designing policies for young people and start designing them with young people. Xesc’s challenge to young people in the Republic of Moldova? 🧱 Build structures that last, as democracy isn’t something you inherit, but something you build together, every day. And the democracy of tomorrow? Well… you’re already building it. 🚀 Xesc Mainzer spoke with our Field Office on what real youth participation looks like.   #MoldovaYouthForum #YouthParticipation #Democracy #YouthVoice #Moldova #CouncilOfEurope

⚡Who gets a seat at the table? At the 5th Moldova Youth Forum 🇲🇩, more than 500 young people from across the country came together with national authorities and international partners to talk about democracy, freedom of expression, AI and European integration.   Young people were joined by President Maia Sandu who spoke about democracy and the role youth play in shaping their country's path forward.   One of the speakers at the event was Xesc Mainzer Cardell, PhD, Vice-Chair of the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth. His message was clear: 👉 Youth participation isn’t about inviting young people into a room. It’s about giving them a real hand in shaping what happens in that room. Housing. Inequality. Trust in institutions - These aren’t just “young people’s problems”. They are a stress test for democracy. And if we want democracy to work, we need to stop designing policies for young people and start designing them with young people. Xesc’s challenge to young people in the Republic of Moldova? 🧱 Build structures that last, as democracy isn’t something you inherit, but something you build together, every day. And the democracy of tomorrow? Well… you’re already building it. 🚀 Read more of his insights here: https://go.coe.int/JZMGr   #MoldovaYouthForum #YouthParticipation #Democracy #YouthVoice #RepublicOfMoldova #CouncilOfEurope Youth at the Council of Europe

📄 Same Law, Different Habits: What Inclusive #Elections Actually Take A ballot paper does not ask whether your mind works the way someone else expects it to. But too often, the system built around it does. The Council of Europe Office in Chisinau's new Comparative Study on Inclusive, Resilient and Accessible Electoral Processes for Persons with Disabilities — drawing on lessons from over 20 countries, including 13 EU member states — makes an uncomfortable point: you can rewrite every law on the books and still leave people shut out of the vote, because for people with psychosocial disabilities, the real barriers often live in assumptions and habit, not statute. Republic of Moldova has already done the hard legislative work, ending blanket bans on voting by people with disabilities. On paper, the door is open. In practice, many people with psychosocial disabilities — especially those in psychiatric facilities and care institutions — are still waiting to walk through it. Not because the law prevents them from doing so, but because nobody has questioned the everyday assumption that their judgment can't be trusted, or redesigned the routine that would let them cast their own vote. This is the gap this Study addresses and calls for : - The remaining outdated restrictions specifically targeting people with mental and psychosocial disabilities to be lifted; - Create dedicated, accessible voting procedures in care institutions. - Train election officials until treating psychosocial disability with respect and neutrality is second nature, not an afterthought. - Put organisations of people with psychosocial disabilities in the room where electoral design and oversight happen. 🔄 Laws opened the door. Now it's about dismantling the quiet assumptions and daily practices that still keep thousands of Moldovans with psychosocial disabilities from walking through it — and bringing Republic of Moldova a decisive step closer to #EUstandards on #inclusive elections. These actions are part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025–2028, while also contributing to the #NewDemocraticPact for Europe.