Empowering Moldova: Strengthening Cultural Strategies and Institutions
In Moldova, EU4Culture played a pivotal role in enhancing the municipality of Cahul’s cultural development. The project supported the creation of robust cultural strategies and helped strengthen local cultural institutions. It also fostered valuable partnerships between local cultural stakeholders and international organizations. GEN Moldova, a key partner in the initiative, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with a wide range of excellent partners, including the Cahul Municipality, the Moldovan EU4Culture team, Supcultura Armenia, Startup Ukraine, and others.
GEN Moldova’s Contribution to Cultural Innovation
Over the past three years, GEN Moldova has actively contributed to the EU4Culture project’s goals of advancing cultural innovation and creative industries. As a champion of creative entrepreneurship, GEN Moldova led several key initiatives, such as:
- Creative City Exchange (CHIEx): This cultural exchange program connected Moldova, Armenia, and Ukraine, enabling participants to explore new cultural perspectives and share best practices.
- Capacity Building: GEN Moldova provided professional development opportunities for cultural and creative practitioners, equipping them with skills in creative management and impact assessment.
Event Highlights: Reflecting on Successes and Looking Ahead
The two-day conference in Chișinău featured a series of engaging sessions with cultural leaders, policymakers, and international experts who discussed the project’s impact.
Ana Nedelcu, Cultural Representative of Cahul Municipality, shared, “EU4Culture has empowered Cahul to strengthen its cultural institutions, improve technical capacities, and engage in transformative initiatives like the Creative City Exchange. These efforts have enriched our cultural landscape and helped our local communities thrive through culture.”
Constantin Vlas, National Coordinator of EU4Culture, emphasized the broader impact of the project, noting that 51 professionals and four civil society organizations had contributed to the successful implementation of local cultural strategies.
Mate Csicsai, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, described EU4Culture as “more than just a cultural project—it is an economic initiative aimed at strengthening human capital in the participating regions.”
GEN Moldova and CHIEx: A Collaborative Success
GEN Moldova’s leadership of the Creative City Exchange (CHIEx) initiative was a highlight of the project. This exchange program enabled cultural professionals from Moldova, Armenia, and Ukraine to collaborate and learn from each other’s experiences. Notable outcomes included:
- Capacity Building for representatives from Cahul and Orhei in cultural enterprise management.
- Development of a Participatory Action Plan for the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) of Cahul, along with mentoring in impact measurement for strategy implementation.
- Study Visits to cultural landmarks and institutions, including the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Armenia, the Sevan Lake and Charentsavan Organ Hall, and cultural centers in Moldova such as the Cahul Music and Arts Schools, and the Luceafărul Theater.
- Cross-border discussions on arts education and cultural management among peers from Moldova, Armenia, and Ukraine.
Olesea Fortuna, President of GEN Moldova, commented, “Our involvement in EU4Culture has significantly strengthened Moldova’s creative industries, fostered international collaboration, and positioned cultural entrepreneurship as a key driver of regional development.”
Cultural Diplomacy and the Future of EU4Culture
The success of EU4Culture highlights the transformative role of cultural diplomacy in building bridges between communities. By encouraging cross-border collaboration and fostering sustainable cultural policies, the initiative has created a lasting legacy of empowerment for local actors.
With €7 million invested by the EU and implemented by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with the Czech Centers, the Danish Cultural Institute, and the French Institute of Georgia, EU4Culture has proven the power of culture in driving sustainable development across the region.
As the project concludes, GEN Moldova and its partners are committed to continuing their work in leveraging culture as a tool for social and economic progress. They will build on the strong foundations laid by EU4Culture, ensuring that the benefits of cultural cooperation continue to thrive in the years to come.