News & press releases
Political Instability – the Decisive Factor in the Stagnation of Budget Transparency in Moldova
Monday, 15 February 2016
Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” has assessed Moldova’s Budget Transparency Index, calculated from 2013-2014 data using the International Budget Partnership’s Open Budget Index methodology. Moldova scored 59 out of 100 in 2015, unchanged since 2012, indicating that the government gives the public only limited budget information, largely because of political factors.
7 solutions for strengthening the Moldovan banking industry
Monday, 08 February 2016
Chișinău /// The banking crisis, which sent shockwaves in the Moldovan economy in 2015, can be solved by implementing a Roadmap that includes seven urgent measures, implemented both at the level of the regulatory authority and other relevant institutions, and at the level of commercial banks. This action plan will be able to rehabilitate the banking sector and prevent similar crises in the future.
Extending the Iași-Ungheni Gas Pipeline to Chișinău Will Help Ensure Moldova's Energy Independence (Study)
Thursday, 04 February 2016
A study by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” and Expert-Forum (Romania), financed by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bucharest, concludes that extending the Iași-Ungheni gas pipeline to Chișinău, where 50-60% of Moldova's imported gas is consumed, would be a decisive step towards energy independence and reduce dependence on Gazprom.
EU-Moldova energy relations: Similarities and distinctions between the Energy Community Treaty and the Association Agreement
Monday, 01 February 2016
As part of the WEASA 2015 follow-up activity, Denis Cenusa visited Warsaw in November 2015 to research the prospective implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) in Moldova. A policy brief on EU-Moldova energy relations was prepared following the visit.
Expert-Grup to scrutinise how Chișinău City Hall spends public money on street maintenance and construction
Friday, 29 January 2016
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” is launching the project “Transforming Chișinău into a better place to live”. Running from January to September 2016, it aims to make spending on street repair, maintenance and construction in Chișinău more efficient by monitoring and evaluating public authorities' actions throughout the procurement cycle.
What happened in the Moldovan banking sector in 2015 and further risks for 2016
Thursday, 28 January 2016
Last year was a turning one for Moldovan baking system, when systemic weaknesses combined with large-scale fraudulent transactions have triggered an unprecedented banking crisis. As a result, the reduction of deposits attracted and the worsened quality of loan portfolios have caused additional difficulties for the financial institutions.
Moldovan authorities implemented less than a third of the provisions under the EU Association Agreement
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
CHIȘINĂU /// During the last six months, experts from Expert-Grup and ADEPT assessed 407 actions within the Euromonitor report. Out of the total, only 24% were implemented, and 11% were partially implemented. At the same time, over a third of the actions (35%) are under implementation and 29% actions were not realized. Therefore, implementation of the Association Agreement can be assessed as a modest one for the monitored period.
Irregularities of MDL 2 billion identified by the Court of Accounts in the first half of 2015
Friday, 18 December 2015
The Court of Accounts of Moldova estimated irregularities exceeding MDL 2 billion in the first half of 2015, according to a synthesis report published by Expert-Grup in Chișinău. The audits revealed technical and operational problems in public institutions, as well as gaps in the legislative framework.
The economy will end 2015 in a 0.8% recession, while a deep restructuring of the economic model is needed
Thursday, 17 December 2015
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” has published its MEGA (Moldovan Economic Growth Analysis) report for Q4 2015 in Chișinău. It estimates that Moldova's economy will contract by 0.8% in 2015, after the economic risks identified earlier in the year materialised, and expects a slow recovery in 2016.
The Transnistrian Region Hit by an Unprecedented Economic Crisis
Thursday, 10 December 2015
A study published by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” finds that the Transnistrian region is facing an unprecedented economic crisis. Regional GDP could contract by about 10-12% this year, driven by unfavourable conditions on the right bank of the Dniester, instability in Ukraine, recession in Russia and weaker demand in the EU.
Expert-Grup held a public policy study workshop for civic activists from the Transnistrian region
Wednesday, 09 December 2015
Experts from the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” recently held a two-day workshop for teachers, researchers, entrepreneurs and civic activists from the Transnistrian region. The training covered the development of public policy studies, the analysis of statistical data and communication strategy.
DCFTA results after one year – overshadowed by Moldova’s economic and political struggles
Friday, 04 December 2015
CHIȘINĂU // September 2015 marked one year since the implementation of DCFTA (Deep & Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) between Moldova and EU began, and its results were overshadowed by the country’s economic and political problems, says a report published by Independent Think-Tank Expert-Grup, author Ana Popa.
”Scoala Mea” initiative: quality of education and transparency improved in 20 more schools
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
”Scoala Mea” initiative (eng. trans. “My School”) has organized, over the past two months, public hearings at the 20 beneficiary schools, where over 2,800 citizens - students, teachers, parents and representatives of local and regional authorities participated. During the public hearings, citizens were able to take collective decisions on schools’ issues and development priorities. In addition, school principals presented to the community the progress in implementing educational reform in the institution, budget expenditures in recent years and the draft budgets for 2016.
Although budget disaster will be avoided in 2015, risks are higher for 2016 (study)
Monday, 16 November 2015
A study by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, authored by Iurie Morcotîlo and funded by the Soros Foundation Moldova, finds that Moldova's public finances will avoid a critical situation at the end of 2015, despite an unfavourable economic context, but that risks for the 2016 budget are greater.
Childcare Leave: Problems and Solutions
Friday, 16 October 2015
A study released last week by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, “Reform of Childcare Leave” by Constanța Popescu, reviews good practices from Lithuania and Romania to pinpoint weaknesses in Moldova’s current childcare leave system, identifying six main problems.
Lack of qualified staff – one of the major causes of poor management of public money
Monday, 12 October 2015
A study by Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, authored by Tatiana Savva and funded by the Soros-Moldova Foundation, was presented at a public event on 12 October in Chișinău. It found that irregularities estimated by the Court of Accounts exceeded MDL 7 billion in 2014, and that most of its recommendations go unimplemented.
Expert-Grup Recommendations on Reforming Childcare Leave
Wednesday, 07 October 2015
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” in Chișinău has produced a study on reforming childcare leave for children aged 0-3 and 3-6, authored by Constanța Popescu. It was commissioned by the Parliamentary Committee on Social Protection, Health and Family, with support from UNICEF and the Government of Sweden.
Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement – overshadowed by “black holes” in justice and banking sectors (report)
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
The Independent Think Tanks, Expert-Grup and ADEPT, present the results of their study “Euromonitor: First Achievements and Difficulties in Implementing Moldova-European Union (EU) Association Agreement”. The report covers commitments undertaken by national authorities in 23 political areas, 15 fields related to economic and sector cooperation and 10 fields related to Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). It was conducted with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under FHI 360’s Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society (MPSCS) program.
Expert-Grup announces a report assessing and monitoring public procurement in Education
Wednesday, 09 September 2015
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” has announced that it will prepare a Report assessing and monitoring public procurement in Education. The report will draw on earlier research and on findings of the Court of Accounts, which show that significant public funds are lost through public procurement.
Veaceslav Negruță, former Minister of Finance, joins Expert-Grup
Friday, 07 August 2015
CHIȘINĂU // We are glad to anounce that Mr. Veaceslav Negruța is joining the Expert-Grup team as the "Economic Policies" program director. Mr. Negruța will undertake research in the fields of macroeconomy, budget-fiscal & monetary-credit policies, public debt management, as well as trade policies.
Problems in the Banking Sector Have Left Their Mark on the National Budget
Tuesday, 04 August 2015
A new study by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” analyses how recent macroeconomic developments and banking-sector problems affect Moldova’s National Public Budget. It concludes that the current economic downturn is driven mainly by domestic factors, above all the banking crisis, rather than by external ones.
In Its Current Form, the Road Fund Is Not Necessary for Financing and Maintaining Roads
Friday, 31 July 2015
A study by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” in Chișinău finds that Moldova's Road Fund, which grew from MDL 1.033 billion in 2012 to MDL 1.366 billion in 2014, suffers from poor planning, arbitrary allocation and a lack of transparency, and concludes that it is unnecessary in its current form.
Moldova Misses Out on MDL 3 Billion as External Donors Freeze Funding
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Moldova has fallen into serious financial difficulty after some development partners suspended funding. According to an analysis by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, the direct and immediate financial effect of the freeze will be around MDL 3 billion, forcing the Ministry of Finance to block 2015 budget spending.
How the State Budget Was Executed and How Money Was Spent on Education
Monday, 27 July 2015
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” has released two studies in Chișinău, supported by the Soros-Moldova Foundation, on the execution of the State Budget and on education spending. They find that the Government meets only about 60% of its budget policy objectives and that education funding does not match the size of the sector.
Budget Transparency in Moldova Is Marking Time
Monday, 20 July 2015
Budget transparency in Moldova has not improved in recent years, mainly because of political factors, according to a study launched in Chișinău by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” with support from the Soros-Moldova Foundation. The Budget Transparency Index scored 59 out of 100 in 2015, unchanged from 2012.
MACRO 2015 Conference: Ideas for the Country’s Economic and Social Security
Monday, 13 July 2015
On 10 July 2015, Expert-Grup and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung hosted the third annual international MACRO conference, themed “Promoting economic and social security in the context of major risks”. Held in three discussion panels, it examined the economic risks and opportunities facing the Republic of Moldova.
State of Country Report 2015: Moldova facing unprecedented challenges for its economic and social security
Friday, 10 July 2015
CHIȘINĂU // Currently, Moldova is facing perhaps its biggest challenge in economic security since 1991. The hardship is being caused by economic recession in the region and by state institutions that are weak and easily influenced by obscure interests, which allowed the deep banking crisis to spread out. Conclusions belong to the State of the Country Report 2015, published by Expert-Grup Think-Tank together with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, at the MACRO 2015 International Conference.
To Whom and for What Agricultural Subsidies Were Granted in 2014
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
In 2014 the Moldovan Government allocated MDL 544 million to subsidise agricultural producers, reaching almost 5,300 farmers. Criuleni, Soroca and Hâncești had the most beneficiaries, according to an infographic published by Budgetstories.md and prepared by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”.
Rampant corruption and poor performance of public institutions have slowed down Moldova’s European integration in the last 10 years
Tuesday, 16 June 2015
CHIȘINĂU // During 2005-2014, Moldova saw important progress in terms of European integration - signing the Association Agreement, visa liberalization with the EU, ensuring more respect for human rights, providing e-governance, IT sector and social services’ reform. However, major weaknesses remain in a number of sectors, particularly in fighting corruption, banking sector, implementation of EU quality standards and energy sector.
Massive investment in agriculture in recent years is not paying off because of inefficient allocation of funds
Friday, 12 June 2015
An analysis by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” finds that heavy investment in Moldovan agriculture over the past decade has not produced sustainable growth. Although the sector employs about 30.5% of workers and contributed some 13% of GDP in 2014, inefficient allocation of money is cited as a main cause of stagnation.