News & press releases
MACRO 2025 Conference "Bridging the Divide: Addressing Poverty and Economic Divergence in the Context of the Republic of Moldova’s European Integration Process"
Monday, 17 November 2025
One of the most important forums for public debate on the economic and social developments of the Republic of Moldova – the MACRO Conference – returns this year. The 2025 edition, organized by the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” in partnership with the “Friedrich Ebert” Foundation Moldova, will take place on November 28, 2025, from 09:30 to 15:30, in Chisinau, and will have as its theme “Bridging the Divide: Addressing Poverty and Economic Divergence in the Context of the Republic of Moldova’s European Integration Process”.
16th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform: commitments on accession, social reforms and economic growth
Monday, 17 November 2025
The 16th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform, held on 11 November 2025 in Brussels, brought together civil society, EU institutions and Moldovan authorities to discuss accession negotiations and reforms. It ended with a joint declaration setting out civil society recommendations. The meeting was held under the project Civil Society for European Integration.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
15 Local Partner CSOs on Study Visit to Brussels: Dialogue with EU Institutions and Recommendations for Speeding Up Reforms
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Fifteen local partner civil society organisations from the project Civil Society for European Integration made a study visit to Brussels on 10-11 November 2025. They met EU and Moldovan officials, discussed the Growth Plan and a possible Economic and Social Council, and took part in the 16th meeting of the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
How to Stop Bills Burning a Hole in Our Pockets: Energy, Water and Sewerage Consumer Problems Discussed at the Expert-Grup and ANRE Press Club
Thursday, 06 November 2025
The Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup and the energy regulator ANRE held a press club on 4 November 2025 on consumer problems with energy, water and sewerage bills. It brought together ANRE, the European Consumer Centre Moldova (ECC Moldova), experts and journalists to discuss frequent complaints and the tools available to resolve them.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
ECC Moldova: A Year of Prolific Activity in Support of Consumers
Wednesday, 05 November 2025
ECC Moldova, the European Consumer Centre of the Republic of Moldova, marked a year of activity supporting consumers. Created under the project Strengthening the Consumer Protection Framework in Moldova, implemented by Expert-Grup with IPRE, it provides free legal support, especially in cross-border disputes, and promotes consumer rights.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Winners of the Quiz at the 6th Financial Education Camp Receive Their Well-Earned Prizes
Friday, 24 October 2025
Winners of the quiz at the 6th Financial Education Camp, organised by the National Bank of Moldova and Expert-Grup, received their certificates and prizes. Governor Anca Dragu presented the awards, highlighting the value of financial education for the country's economic future.
Financial literacy campaign
Costești Town Hall Issues MDL 4.5 Million in Municipal Bonds to Finance Local Infrastructure
Monday, 22 September 2025
Costești town hall in Moldova has launched its first public offering of municipal bonds worth MDL 4.5 million to fund a sewerage and wastewater treatment project. The launch event brought together Dutch embassy, financial regulator, bank and local officials, with Expert-Grup as moderator.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
Expert-Grup Presents Position Paper: Solutions for Remedying Moldova's Excessive Current Account Deficit
Friday, 19 September 2025
Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup presented a position paper on how to reduce Moldova's large and growing current account deficit. The paper, written by Marina Soloviova, was discussed at an event with participants who proposed their own solutions.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Thermal Retrofit of Bălți's Tallest Residential Block Brings Energy Bill Savings of Up to 50%
Monday, 08 September 2025
A thermal retrofit of the tallest residential block in Bălți, an 80-apartment building, has cut heating consumption and energy bills. The pilot project "Primele Rândunele" was implemented by Expert-Grup with Dutch and Slovak support and presented during a visit by State Secretary Carolina Novac.
”Early movers” - Technical assistance for increasing energy efficiency and security in Moldova
Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Creation of the Moldovan Economic and Social Committee
Friday, 05 September 2025
Civil society organisations from Moldova signed a Memorandum of Understanding on creating a Moldovan Economic and Social Committee (CESM). The initiative supports civil and social dialogue in line with the European social model, in the context of Moldova's EU candidate status and accession negotiations.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Sireți Launches MDL 3 Million Public Bond Offering
Wednesday, 03 September 2025
The village of Sireți in Moldova has launched a public offering of municipal bonds worth MDL 3 million to rebuild sections of local roads. The launch event gathered central and local officials, financial institutions, development partners and potential investors.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
6th Edition of the Financial Education Camp Concludes Successfully
Thursday, 07 August 2025
The sixth edition of the Financial Education Camp, organised by the National Bank of Moldova and Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup, has concluded. Over four days, more than 230 young people from across the country took part in sessions on the financial system, payments, entrepreneurship and investment.
BNM and Expert-Grup launch the 6th edition of the Financial Education Camp for young people across the country
Tuesday, 05 August 2025
The National Bank of Moldova and Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup launched the sixth edition of the Financial Education Camp for young people nationwide. The opening featured Governor Anca Dragu and Expert-Grup executive director Adrian Lupușor.
Launch of the second Independent Monitoring Report on Moldova's implementation of the European Commission's recommendations – progress, challenges and priorities
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Expert-Grup and partners presented the second Independent Monitoring Report on how Moldova has implemented the European Commission's recommendations. It covers the "Fundamentals" cluster of the EU accession process and is meant to feed into the Commission's first Enlargement Report on Moldova, due in autumn 2025.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Labour market reform: employment and occupational safety policies at the centre of discussions in the "Labour Market Development" Working Group
Friday, 25 July 2025
The Labour Market Development Working Group (No. 6) of the Economic Council to the Prime Minister met to discuss active employment measures and a draft Government decision on occupational safety rules. The meeting brought together authorities, business, trade unions, civil society experts and international partners.
Assistance for labor market reform
"Financial Education Camp" – an initiative connecting young people across Moldova
Monday, 14 July 2025
The Financial Education Camp, a joint initiative of the National Bank of Moldova and Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup, is open for registration in an online edition for young people across Moldova. Sign-up is free and runs until 27 July 2025.
Delayed flights, lost luggage – what rights do passengers have? Press club with the Civil Aeronautical Authority and ECC Moldova
Friday, 11 July 2025
A press club hosted by Expert-Grup brought together the Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) and the European Consumer Centre Moldova (ECC Moldova) to explain passenger rights in cases of delayed flights and lost luggage. It was held in summer 2025, amid record passenger growth at Chisinau International Airport.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Soros Foundation Moldova, with financial support from the European Union, launches a grant programme for opening nurseries and supporting families in vulnerable situations
Friday, 04 July 2025
Soros Foundation Moldova, with European Union financing, has launched a grant programme to open nurseries and support parents in vulnerable situations. At least 24 Moldovan organisations will receive grants to develop local services combining employment opportunities with early childcare.
Increased local employment opportunities and access to nurseries for vulnerable parents
Expert-Grup and ANSA press club | Non-compliant food products and catering services: how consumers are protected
Friday, 27 June 2025
Independent Think Tank Expert-Grup and the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) held a press club on non-compliant food products and catering services and how consumers are protected. ANSA representatives, civil society and journalists discussed the main consumer complaints and institutional responses.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Reforming the legal framework for entrepreneurship – priorities proposed by Expert-Grup, discussed at a roundtable
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
Expert-Grup held a roundtable to discuss priorities for reforming Moldova's legal framework for entrepreneurship. The event took place as the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation launched public consultations on a draft new law on entrepreneurship.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Costești Town Hall prepares its first municipal bond issue – financial intermediary contracted
Monday, 23 June 2025
Costesti Town Hall is preparing its first municipal bond issue and has contracted maib as financial intermediary after a transparent, competitive procedure. The process is supported by Expert-Grup experts under a programme backed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moldova.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
Government Factoring – a solution for reviving Moldova's agricultural sector, analysed at a roundtable
Friday, 20 June 2025
Expert-Grup held a roundtable on Government Factoring as a way to revive Moldova's agricultural sector. Participants discussed how the mechanism could release liquidity for farmers and strengthen economic stability in rural areas and related fields.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Early Movers: Thermal Retrofit of Bălți's Tallest Building, a Model of Energy Efficiency for Moldova
Wednesday, 11 June 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” presented the results of the thermal retrofit of a 16-storey residential block in Bălți, the tallest in the city. The event, backed by the Dutch and Slovak embassies, SlovakAid and the Energy Community Secretariat, brought together officials, ambassadors, development partners, banks, civil society and residents.
”Early movers” - Technical assistance for increasing energy efficiency and security in Moldova
Consumer protection enters the digital era: AGE and Expert-Grup launched, at Moldova Digital Summit 2025, a joint initiative to modernise and simplify the petitioning process for consumers
Friday, 06 June 2025
At Moldova Digital Summit 2025, held on 5-7 June, the e-Democrație platform is being officially launched, a digital tool that will help strengthen citizens’ participation in decision-making and facilitate direct communication with public authorities. By the end of the year, the platform will include a module dedicated to consumers, which will allow petitions to be submitted in a simplified way to all institutions responsible for consumer protection.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Six young entrepreneurs to receive EUR 5,000 grants under Tulip Business Incubator 2.0
Monday, 02 June 2025
The second edition of the Tulip Business Incubator programme has named its winners after a final pitching session held before a panel of experts and potential investors. Six young entrepreneurs from Moldova will each receive a grant of EUR 5,000, together with six months of personalised mentoring.
Tulip Business Incubator 2.0 - support program for young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova
Protection of Communications Service Consumers: Problems Consumers Face and Available Solutions, Discussed at a Press Club Organised by Expert-Grup
Thursday, 22 May 2025
On 22 May 2025, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” hosted at its Chișinău headquarters the second press club of the EU-funded project “Strengthening the Consumer Protection Framework in the Republic of Moldova”. Journalists, communications regulator representatives and civil society discussed consumer problems with communications services and the available solutions.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Moldova's Growth Plan analysed in dialogue with the media
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
On 13 May 2025, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, together with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova, held a press club on the Growth Plan for the Republic of Moldova, discussing expectations, implementation and what to monitor.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Labour Market Challenges Debated at the National Labour Market and Social Dialogue Forum: Shortages, Informal Employment and Institutional Reforms
Thursday, 08 May 2025
On 6 May 2025, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in partnership with the Soros Foundation Moldova, held the National Labour Market and Social Dialogue Forum. It brought together officials, business, trade unions, international organisations and experts to discuss the challenges and prospects of Moldova’s labour market.
Assistance for labor market reform
First Municipal Bonds for Sireți Town Hall: Financial Intermediary Contracted
Wednesday, 30 April 2025
The Sireți town hall has signed an intermediation contract with Victoriabank and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” for its first municipal bond issue. The bank was selected through an open competition in March 2025. The issue will raise funds for local road infrastructure projects in the village of Sireți, Moldova.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
Consumer Protection in the Consumer Credit Market Discussed at a Dedicated Press Club Organised by Expert-Grup
Thursday, 24 April 2025
On 24 April, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” held a press club on consumer protection in the consumer credit market. Participants discussed how to avoid over-indebtedness, abusive clauses and fraud, and how the National Commission for Financial Markets protects the rights of users of lending services.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova