The Swedish cooperation strategy with Moldova for the period 2011 – 2014 puts strong emphasis on the country’s integration with the norms, standards and values of the EU. This is done by implementation of some 25 projects in three areas:
- Democracy, human rights and gender equality;
- Energy efficiency and development of renewable sources of energy and
- Market development.
The Swedish assistance amounts to some 115 million Swedish kronor per year (approx. 13 million EUR per year).
Transnistria, the breakaway eastern region, is included in all activities financed by Sweden, to the extent possible.
Democracy, Human rights and Gender equality
A substantial part of the work in this area is aimed at modernizing and increasing the efficiency and transparency of the public administration, both at central level (ministries and governmental agencies) and local level (districts and municipalities). This type of support is crucial to improve the governance of the country and to give the citizens better access to services that fall within the responsibility of the public sector.
A number of aspects of human rights are addressed through the assistance to civil society organisations, for instance improved quality and ethical code of the media, participation in elections, the human rights of the Roma population and for sexual minorities.
Gender equality support is directed to women’s participation in the public sphere either as employees, as entrepreneurs or as politicians. Along with this, Sweden has a prominent role in promoting gender equality in all kind of domains, which is done in the dialogue with the government and with international organisations present in Moldova.
Energy efficiency and development of renewable sources of energy
Moldova is both strongly dependent on the gas supply from Russia (more than 90 per cent of all energy consumed) and uses more energy per person than comparable countries, reflecting that energy efficiency is far too low. Sweden has successfully contributed to the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Agency and to the development of a long-term strategy (2013 – 2030) to assist Moldova in improving national energy security. Efforts are on-going to increase investments in energy saving technology and to implement the measures identified in the energy strategy.
Market development
Moldova is currently negotiating with the EU in order to conclude an Association Agreement (expected to be finalized at the end of 2013). As part of this agreement there will be a so called Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), which will open up the EU market for Moldovan products and services to the EU and vice versa. As this will be a challenge to the Moldovan companies and farmers, Sweden assists in increasing the competitiveness of the private sector. This is done by for instance increasing farmers output and quality of their products, reducing the regulations for starting and running a business and to inform the private sector about the new requirements once the DCFTA has come into effect.
