News & press releases
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
Expert-Grup: “Budget Plus” Must Be Aligned with Good Governance Principles and an Economic Model Based on Value Added
Wednesday, 16 April 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” presented a position paper at a press conference on the draft amendment to the 2025 State Budget Law, known as “Budget Plus”, and on the implementation of Moldova's Economic Growth Plan, which is financially supported by the European Union.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Moldova must transition to a new economic growth model based on higher added value
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with the support of the Centre for Social and Economic Research (CASE, Poland), argues in a new position paper that Moldova, whose economy stagnated in 2024 with GDP growth of 0.1%, must shift to a growth model built on higher added value.
Expert-Grup Launches Study: The Transition to Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Policy Recommendations
Thursday, 20 March 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moldova, held a round table and launched a policy study on Moldova's transition to renewable energy. The event brought together experts, government officials, diplomats, academics and private companies to discuss opportunities and challenges.
Consumer protection in focus: key conclusions of the international conference
Friday, 14 March 2025
On 13 and 14 March 2025, the first international scientific conference “Consumer protection: integrated approaches in the legal system” was held in a hybrid format. It was organised by the European Consumer Centre of the Republic of Moldova with several academic partners, with European Union and Soros Foundation Moldova support.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Tulip Business Incubator 2.0 – A New Boost for Young Entrepreneurs in Moldova
Friday, 14 March 2025
On Thursday, 13 March 2025, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” officially launched the second edition of “Tulip Business Incubator 2.0”, a programme for young entrepreneurs in Moldova. Thirty participants were selected from more than 70 applicants from across the country.
Tulip Business Incubator 2.0 - support program for young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova
We are launching the European.md Chatbot – Quick answers about the European integration of the Republic of Moldova, using clear information and trusted sources!
Thursday, 13 February 2025
The revolution in the field of artificial intelligence brings not only risks related to disinformation and fake news, but also opportunities to combat these phenomena and inform ourselves correctly.
A New Opportunity for Young Entrepreneurs: Tulip Business Incubator 2.0
Tuesday, 11 February 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with the support of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Chișinău and in partnership with the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, has launched Tulip Business Incubator 2.0, a support programme for young entrepreneurs in the Republic of Moldova aged up to 35. Applications close on 28 February 2025.
Tulip Business Incubator 2.0 - support program for young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova
Moldova's Macroeconomic Resilience in the Context of Regional Security: Prospects and Vulnerabilities Presented at an Expert-Grup Round Table
Tuesday, 28 January 2025
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” hosted a round table on the macroeconomic resilience of the Republic of Moldova amid regional and global security threats. The event brought together economists, policy experts, government officials, embassy and donor representatives and civil society to assess the country's exposure to external shocks and policy options.
Increasing the economic resilience of Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova
Launch of the State of the Country Report 2024: Trends, Forecasts and Vulnerabilities of the National Economy
Friday, 13 December 2024
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, together with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Moldova, launched the State of the Country Report 2024 on 12 December in Chișinău, at the 12th annual international MACRO 2024 Conference. The report analyses Moldova's economic trends, forecasts and vulnerabilities, and offers policy recommendations.
“Financial Education for All” Forum: Achievements and Actions for the Future
Tuesday, 10 December 2024
More than 100 participants gathered at the National Forum “Financial Education for All” to assess the results of the largest financial education campaign in the history of the Republic of Moldova and to set future strategic directions. It was organised by the National Bank of Moldova and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”.
Results of the “Financial Education for All” campaign and the Strategic National Financial Education Programme to be presented at a national forum
Friday, 06 December 2024
The National Bank of Moldova, in partnership with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, is organising a National Financial Education Forum on 10 December. The event will bring together over 100 participants and present the results of the “Financial Education for All” national campaign, supported by the USAID MISRA programme.
Financial literacy campaign
Strengthening the Corporate Governance of State-Owned Companies: Closing Event of the Technical Assistance Project
Tuesday, 03 December 2024
On 3 December, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with the Public Property Agency and with the support of the Soros Foundation Moldova, held the closing event of a technical assistance project on adopting international best practices in the corporate governance of state-owned companies.
Technical assistance to the SOEs’ governance reform
MACRO Annual International Conference: ”Moldovan economy amid electoral cycles”, twelfth edition
Tuesday, 03 December 2024
The Independent Think-Tank ”Expert-Grup” and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Moldova (FES), we are honoured to invite you to participate in the twelfth edition of MACRO Annual International Conference: ”Moldovan economy amid electoral cycles”.
“A series of complex actions will follow to strengthen social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova and counter disinformation in the context of EU accession,” the EU–Moldova Civil Society Platform said at its 14th meeting
Monday, 18 November 2024
On 15 November 2024, the 14th meeting of the European Union – Republic of Moldova Civil Society Platform took place in Brussels. Participants assessed Moldova's progress in implementing the Association Agreement and the European Commission's recommendations on the country's accession to the European Union.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Launch of the European Consumer Centre in the Republic of Moldova – an important step in strengthening the consumer protection framework and trust in the mechanisms of the European single market
Tuesday, 05 November 2024
The European Consumer Centre in the Republic of Moldova (ECCM) was officially launched at an event attended by Moldovan and Romanian public authorities, donors, business associations, academics and consumer protection experts. A roundtable discussed the centre's role, its short-, medium- and long-term plans, and what the authorities expect of it.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
“The First Swallow/Mover” in Bălți: Residents of the City’s Tallest 16-Storey Residential Building Will Be Able to Save Up to 30% on Bills
Friday, 01 November 2024
Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, backed by SlovakAid, the Netherlands, the Energy Community Secretariat, the Ministry of Energy and the National Centre for Sustainable Energy, has launched the thermal insulation and façade renovation of a 16-storey apartment block at 3/A Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt Street in Bălți.
”Early movers” - Technical assistance for increasing energy efficiency and security in Moldova
Savings and investment opportunities on Moldova’s financial market discussed with media representatives
Thursday, 31 October 2024
On 31 October, World Savings Day, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with the National Bank of Moldova and with USAID MISRA support, held a press club in Chișinău. Journalists and experts reviewed the savings and investment products available on the financial market of the Republic of Moldova.
Financial literacy campaign
Ceadîr-Lunga Launches Second Municipal Bond Issue to Modernise Infrastructure
Monday, 07 October 2024
On 7 October, the municipality of Ceadîr-Lunga launched its second municipal bond issue, aiming to raise MDL 5 million to rehabilitate road infrastructure. The launch event brought together the town hall, Victoriabank, the National Financial Market Commission, the Embassy of the Netherlands, public authorities and potential investors.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
Corporate Governance Training Platform: A New Tool for Professionalising the Boards of State-Owned Companies
Thursday, 26 September 2024
The Public Property Agency, in collaboration with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” and with financial support from the Soros Foundation Moldova, has launched an online training platform for members of the boards of state-owned companies. It is also open to anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of good corporate governance.
Press Club: “Assessing the Republic of Moldova’s Progress in Implementing the European Commission’s Recommendations in the Area of Justice in the Context of EU Accession”
Saturday, 21 September 2024
On 18 September, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” held a press club with journalists to discuss how far the Moldovan authorities have progressed in implementing the European Commission’s justice-related recommendations under the EU accession process, drawing on the first independent monitoring report.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Discussions on creating an Economic and Social Committee in the Republic of Moldova: a new institutional framework to strengthen dialogue between civil society and the authorities
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
On Monday, 9 September, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, held a round table on creating an Economic and Social Committee in the Republic of Moldova, bringing together officials, donors, civil society and media.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Discussions with Media Representatives on Moldova's Progress in Implementing the European Commission's Recommendations on Fundamental Rights, Freedom of Expression, and Social Policy and Employment
Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” and its partners held a press club with media representatives to discuss Moldova's progress in implementing the European Commission's recommendations on fundamental rights, freedom of expression, and social policy and employment, based on the first independent monitoring report on the country's EU accession process.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Press Club: “Assessing the Republic of Moldova’s Progress in Implementing the European Commission’s Economic Recommendations in the EU Accession Process”
Thursday, 01 August 2024
Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” held a press club with journalists to discuss the reforms of the Chișinău authorities in implementing European Commission recommendations on the economic chapters of EU accession. The discussion drew on the first independent monitoring report, produced with IPRE, IVC and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Round table: “Mobility Strategy: how do we ensure infrastructure modernisation, the competitiveness of domestic transport and good governance in the system?”
Wednesday, 31 July 2024
On 30 July 2024, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with support from the National Endowment for Democracy, presented at a round table its analytical note on Moldova's draft Mobility Strategy 2030. The note was written by Vitalie Rapcea, Expert-Grup's director of the economic and environmental infrastructure programme.
Strengthening the Monitoring Capacity of Civil Society in Moldova
Launch of the first Independent Monitoring Report on Moldova's progress in implementing the European Commission's recommendations in the EU accession process: achievements, constraints, priorities
Thursday, 25 July 2024
On 23 July 2024, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE), Institutum Virtutes Civilis (IVC) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, presented Independent Monitoring Report No. 1, assessing Moldova's progress in implementing the European Commission's recommendations in the EU accession process.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Municipal Bonds in the Republic of Moldova: Results Three Years After the First Issues
Tuesday, 16 July 2024
On 16 July 2024, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moldova, presented the results of the first three municipal bond issues, launched in Chișinău, Sîngera and Ceadîr-Lunga in 2021-2022, to local authorities, experts, banks and civil society.
Program for supporting 4 LPAs in Launching Municipal Bonds
Accessible Financial Information for All Citizens Under the National Financial Education Campaign
Friday, 05 July 2024
The National Bank of Moldova, in partnership with the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, is launching a series of informative materials on financial topics for consumers of all ages. The materials will be disseminated under the National Financial Education Campaign, which is supported by USAID (MISRA).
Financial literacy campaign
The “Financial Education for All” Camp: Promoting Financial Responsibility among Young People
Friday, 28 June 2024
The “Financial Education for All” camp, organised by the National Bank of Moldova and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, brought together young people from several Moldovan towns to learn about key financial concepts. Participants received certificates of participation at the end of the camp.
Financial literacy campaign
The Importance of Boards of Directors for Good Governance of State-Owned Companies Discussed at a Press Club
Friday, 14 June 2024
The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with Soros Foundation Moldova, held a press club on the reform of state-owned companies. The discussion focused on the role of boards of directors in ensuring good corporate governance, including the plan to attract independent members, notably from the diaspora.
Technical assistance to the SOEs’ governance reform
Moldova Significantly Improved Its Position in the Global Budget Transparency Ranking
Monday, 03 June 2024
Moldova has recorded significant improvements in public access to budget information, according to the Open Budget Survey 2023. The Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” presented the results at a dedicated conference attended by representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the EU Delegation, the IMF, the Court of Accounts and parliamentary committees.
Over 20 young people receive financial education ambassador certificates from National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu
Friday, 24 May 2024
National Bank of Moldova Governor Anca Dragu presented certificates to 24 young financial education ambassadors. They organised training sessions for their peers in towns and villages across Moldova, as part of the National Financial Education Campaign run by the National Bank in partnership with Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”.
Financial literacy campaign
Financial Education Camp “Financial Education for All”, 2024 Edition
Wednesday, 22 May 2024
The National Bank of Moldova and Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, with USAID Moldova support, invite young people aged 15 to 19 to the 2024 “Financial Education for All” camp. It will take place on 26–28 June 2024 at the Odiseu resort in Vadul lui Vodă.
Financial literacy campaign
The European Union and Soros Moldova Foundation support the consumers protection framework in the Republic of Moldova as a key component of the association agenda and of the European integration process
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
The Independent Analytical Centre “Expert-Grup”, in partnership with the European Union Delegation in the Republic of Moldova, Soros Moldova Foundation and the Institute for European Policies and Reforms organized today, at April 30, the launching event of the project “Consolidation of Consumers Protection Framework in the Republic of Moldova”. It is a major importance project for our country since this area is indispensable for the assurance of a sound competition and a functional and fair market economy, but also considering the fact that consumers protection is a key-component for the European integration process.
Consolidation of the consumer protection framework in the Republic of Moldova
Expert-Grup presented the conclusions and recommendations of its independent evaluation report on the pilot of the 2024 Population and Housing Census in the Republic of Moldova
Tuesday, 23 April 2024
On 23 April, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” held a round table titled “Population and Housing Census 2024: independent evaluation of the preparation and organisation of the process”. It presented the main findings and recommendations of its independent evaluation of the census pilot, carried out with European Union support.
Monitoring the pilot phase of the population census
“We want to help strengthen European integration processes and counter disinformation”, says the EU-Moldova Civil Society Platform
Friday, 19 April 2024
At its 13th meeting, held in hybrid format, the EU-Republic of Moldova Civil Society Platform urged the authorities in Chișinău to continue dialogue with civil society on reforms, anti-corruption and the fight against disinformation. It was the first meeting since the European Council's decision of 14 December 2023 to open accession negotiations.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Launch of the New Website of the Public Property Agency and of the Training Platform for Board Members of State-Owned Enterprises
Thursday, 18 April 2024
The Public Property Agency, in partnership with the Soros Foundation Moldova and the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup”, has launched its new website, www.app.gov.md, and a training platform for board members of state-owned companies. The launch aims to promote transparency and efficiency in managing public property in the Republic of Moldova.
Technical assistance to the SOEs’ governance reform
Low Level of Financial Literacy Increases the Number of Financial Fraud Victims
Monday, 01 April 2024
At a press club held as part of the National Financial Education Campaign, run by the National Bank of Moldova and Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” with USAID support, officials presented 2023 data on cashless payments in Moldova and warned that weak financial literacy is fuelling payment fraud.
Financial literacy campaign
We appreciate our country's considerable progress on the European path and in the process of democratic transformation
Thursday, 28 March 2024
On 24 March 2025 in Chișinău, the fifteenth meeting of the European Union–Republic of Moldova Civil Society Platform took place. It reviewed Moldova's progress in EU accession negotiations across several thematic chapters, including environmental liability, human rights, consumer protection, company law and foreign policy, as well as the EU growth plan.
Resilient CSOs + Responsible Budgeting = Accelerated AA implementation
Results in advancing the State Labour Inspectorate and NEA reforms discussed at the closing event of the project “Technical Assistance to the Government and Parliament for Promoting Fair Recovery Policies and Economic Justice”
Monday, 18 March 2024
On 18 March, the Independent Think Tank “Expert-Grup” and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in partnership with the Soros Foundation Moldova, held the closing event of a technical assistance project for the Government and Parliament, implemented from April 2022 to March 2024 to tackle informal employment.
Technical assistance to the Government and Parliament to promote just recovery and economic justice policies
Public discussion: „Moldova under disinformation threats: Mapping Russian narratives and sharing the Lithuanian experience of countering disinformation”
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Expert-Grup în parteneriat cu Centrul de Studii Est-Europene din Lituania (Rytų Europos studijų centras / Eastern Europe Studies Centre a organizat, săptămâna aceasta, discuția publică cu genericul „Moldova sub amenințări de dezinformare: cartografierea narațiunilor rusești și împărtășirea experienței lituaniene de combatere a dezinformării”.
Building Strategic Communication to Counter Russian Disinformation in Moldova