The EUroBRIDGE_UA_MD Project Has Been Launched: Moldova and Ukraine Take Concrete Steps Towards European Integration

On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the Municipal Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CMDA) of the Chisinau City Hall officially launched the EUroBRIDGE_UA_MD project, a flagship initiative aimed at preparing institutions in Moldova and Ukraine for accession to the European Union.

The event brought together officials from Chisinau City Hall, representatives of the European Commission, international partners, and business community representatives from all three involved countries: Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania.

The project, fully funded by the European Union through the Support to Ukraine and Moldova Border Regions program, includes Romania as a technical partner, providing guidance for alignment with European standards. The total budget of the initiative amounts to €1.9 million, half of which will be managed by CMDA, a municipal institution established two years ago to support local entrepreneurship.

Project Objectives and Implementation

EUroBRIDGE_UA_MD’s strategic objectives include:

• Strengthening the capacities of local administrations;

• Supporting SMEs and civil society organizations;

• Providing cross-border grants ranging from €10,000 to €50,000 for joint projects;

• Implementing training and mentoring programs to enable the exchange of best practices between Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania.

Over the four-year project period, 118 joint projects are planned to accelerate knowledge transfer, business development, and adaptation to European standards.

Ion Ceban, Mayor of Chisinau:

“This is a collective effort in which everyone has an essential role in implementing the EU acquis, aligning with European standards, and promoting democratic values.”

Mayor Ion Ceban emphasized the project’s importance and the close collaboration between the three countries:

“I welcomed and congratulated our colleagues for their efforts in securing this project and thanked the representatives of the European Union present for their interest and support. The process of European integration is not only political or administrative. It is a shared effort in which everyone has a key role in implementing the EU acquis, adapting European standards, and promoting democratic values.
Only through close collaboration between academia, public administration, and the private sector can we accelerate European integration and build a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive regional economy. Chisinau remains the locomotive of projects with external funding, whether in infrastructure, social sectors, or economic development.”

Economic and Strategic Impact

The project provides a concrete mechanism to stimulate cross-border economic development, enhance public institutions’ capacities, and strengthen local entrepreneurship. Grants for SMEs and civil society organizations are designed to support innovation, competitiveness, and regional cooperation.

Through EUroBRIDGE_UA_MD, Moldova and Ukraine are making tangible steps toward a sustainable regional economy based on European standards, democratic values, and strategic partnerships. The initiative demonstrates that European integration is not limited to political processes but translates into economic development, knowledge transfer, and institutional strengthening.

Outlook

The success of EUroBRIDGE_UA_MD will serve as a model for other regional initiatives, showing that well-targeted grants and cross-border collaboration can turn economic challenges into concrete opportunities. For Chisinau, the project reinforces its role as a regional center of excellence in implementing externally funded projects and consolidating a resilient and competitive local economy.