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PRESS RELEASE - EU Delegation to Moldova and European Training Foundation support education of youth

Bălți, 30 June 2024 – Jānis Mažeiks, the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, and Pilvi Torsti, the Director of the European Training Foundation (ETF), attended the Moldova Youth Forum in Bălți on 29 and 30 June 2024. Ambassador Mažeiks and Director Torsti engaged in high-level discussions with Moldovan officials and stakeholders to enhance educational initiatives in the country. In a bilateral meeting, they emphasised the importance of investing in youth-oriented education policies, just days after the launch of negotiations for Moldova’s accession to the European Union. Discussions with Moldovan Minister of Education and Research, Dan Perciun, underscored a shared commitment to advancing vocational training and skills development.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Ambassador Mažeiks stated: “The partnership between the EU Delegation and the European Training Foundation aims to provide young people with valuable opportunities for education and skill development, fostering their growth and preparing them for a brighter future. By investing in the potential of Moldova's youth, we are building a stronger, more prosperous society on its path to joining the European Union."

Director Torsti, who also spoke at a panel session on innovative education approaches, asserted: “The European Training Foundation will continue supporting the EU Delegation in developing skills policy including the education and training systems in Moldova. We will share our expertise gained from over a decade of on-the-ground experience in planning and monitoring interventions in the human capital sector. We stand by Moldova in its endeavours to reform its school network, to increase both efficiency and effectiveness of the education system in the interest of young people and the future of the country.”

With a population of 2.5 million, Moldova is aligning with EU standards, focusing on education and employment reforms. The Ministry of Education is enhancing the school network, launching Centres of Excellence in vocational education and training, and developing model schools. The country is advancing a dual education model, establishing a National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and improving teaching methods. Labour market reforms aim to support the inactive population and prepare for the Youth Guarantee.

The partnership between the EU Delegation to Moldova and the ETF is driving progress in the country. The ETF has played an important role in designing the NQF and building the capacity of a Labour Market Observatory. Recently, the ETF has focused on supporting vocational education and training Centres of Excellence, enhancing digitalisation in education, improving active labour market policies, and increasing the national capacity for skills identification and forecasting.

Background

The European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova is a diplomatic mission representing the EU in Moldova. The Delegation's mandate involves promoting political, economic and trade relations between Moldova and the EU. Furthermore, the Delegation participates in the implementation of the EU's external assistance programmes, which focus on supporting democratic development, enlargement policies and good governance, regulatory reform and administrative capacity building, as well as poverty reduction and economic growth.

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the European Union agency that supports neighbouring countries in reforming their education, training, and labour market systems. It currently collaborates with 28 partner countries, primarily in the context of EU enlargement and neighbourhood policies.

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