The official launch event of the EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data programme in the Republic of Moldova was held in an online format on 9 March 2022. The programme will further support the Republic of Moldova in the preservation of its natural resources in line with the European Green Deal and a post-COVID-19 green recovery. It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Moldovan citizens, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is part of the Team Europe Initiative on Water and Zero Pollution, which aims at moving towards a toxic-free environment for all citizens.
EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data reinforces the on-going EU4Environment Action in the Republic of Moldova. It aims to support existing and new policies and their implementation at local levels through decentralized management of water resources, and to improve access to reliable data and information on water resources, but also on air quality, land use and waste to decision-makers and Moldovan citizens. To this end, EU4Environment – Water Resources and Environmental Data builds upon the success of previous operational projects like the European Water Initiative Plus (EUWI+) and the Shared Environmental Information System Phase II (ENIS SEIS II East).
The EUWI+ project has helped the Republic of Moldova implement its existing Association Agreement with the EU and gradually adopt EU water management practices. The River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 for the Danube-Prut & Black Sea River Basin was developed (15,000 km2, 1 Million inhabitants). Its development involved 20 Moldovan experts and 280 local participants took part in stakeholder consultations. To reinforce knowledge of water resources, monitoring sites for rivers and groundwater were upgraded, and field surveys covering more than 110 sites were held in the frame of the project. Additional work on water data integration, laws and regulations enforcement as well as financing mechanisms and public awareness raising was also undertaken during the project.
The ENI SEIS II East project supported implementation of the principles and practices of the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) to strengthen the production of environmental data and indicators in biodiversity, water, land, waste and air. The project developed the country’s institutional capacity in environmental assessment and accounting, and as an example introduced new tools for improving the accessibility to air quality monitoring data based on the EU Air Quality Directives and the Air Quality Index published by the European Environment Agency.
The European Commission and the implementing partners look forward to continuing and strengthening their engagement with the Republic of Moldova under this new European Union support. Together they will strengthen the management of water resources and environmental data to benefit the environment and wellbeing of Moldovan citizens.
Ms Iuliana Cantaragiu, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Moldova said: “We are grateful to the European Union and our partners for their continued efforts to support the Republic of Moldova in achieving the national objectives related to sustainable management and protection of the water resources, which are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. I assure you that our development partners will have the full support of national institutions for the successful implementation of the Programme.”
H.E. Ms Stella Avallone, Austrian Ambassador in the Republic of Moldova said “As implementing partner and co-funder of this new programme, Austria is very honoured to intensify its partnership with the Republic of Moldova in the field of the environment. Austrian experts will support their Moldovan counterparts in improving monitoring of water resources, and expanding the database on environmental information on water, air, land use, but also waste.Together with all partners of this programme, Austria will participate in improving environmental resilience and human health in the Republic of Moldova.”
