Moldova is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe, although since 2007 it is the neighbouring country of the European Union, or in other words "the wealthy club". A special attention and support must be given to both central and local self-government administration. Nowadays they are quite week, inefficient and lacking adequate know-how. Poland, having experience in local institutions reform, could offer support in this area. Furthermore, Moldova requires support in agricultural sector, which generates half of Moldova's GDP. Favourable climate conditions allow for successful growing of many species of plants, nevertheless Moldova does not take advantage of this potential. That is why the activities undertaken in Moldova within the Polish foreign assistance programme should focus on agriculture advisory services in order to promote innovation, increase diversification of crops and foster the development of rural areas.

Priority support sectors:

• agriculture and development of rural areas;
• support for civil society, especially through promotion of local self-governance and democratisation of Moldovan media;
• strengthening of public administration, especially in the realm of migration management and counteracting human trafficking, and trainings in the field of receiving funds from the European Union;

The basic problem that Moldova faces is the lack of territorial integrity which is caused by the existing secession of so-called "Republic of Transnistria". The Trans-Dniester conflict has been frozen for years now. Different solutions proposed so far by the international community have been rejected by one or the other side in the conflict. In spite of positive political reforms, Moldova still struggles with social and economic problems. One of the major problems is organised crime, especially human trafficking. Lately Moldova has been carrying out a series of reforms, but the economy of this country is rather of a monocultural character, which makes it vulnerable to economic changes and export restrictions. Moldova continues to be the poorest European country which is dependent, to a large extent, on international assistance.

Polish development assistance initiatives carried out in Moldova include:

• strengthening of central and local administration structures, including the alignment of legislation and administration system to the European Union requirements, in accordance with the "EU-Moldova Action Plan";
• planning and managing of economic development processes;
• agriculture and development of rural areas;
• SMEs development;
• financial services sector, including strengthening and consolidation of credit savings unions.
• private sector development;
• environmental protection;
• energy security;
• judiciary;
• strengthening of administration and training for diplomatic staff.

In 2006, the development assistance provided to Moldova covered the following projects:

Energy development and sustainable use of energy are essential on the central as well as local level. Six member municipalities of "Energie Cities" invited a group of Moldavians composed of heads of communes to participate in a seminar and a study visit, during which some solutions and initiatives that may be implemented in Moldova were presented. The group could familiarise themselves with the ways of financing projects of sustainable development in the energy sector, with actions aimed at environmental protection and their positioning in the hierarchy of communes' strategies for development.

A group of 23 representatives of local self-government from Moldova, who were invited for a study visit, found out how it is possible to influence laws that regulate the functioning of local administrative bodies. The participants visited a few commune offices and had a chance to observe how the communes solve their local problems. A guide about how to influence a legislative process was edited and published for the Moldavian local self-government representatives. As a result of the project, a process of creating an institution similar to the Polish Joint Local Authorities and Government Commission commenced in Moldova.

The aim of the project was to strengthen the independence of local newspapers in Moldova by increasing their financial stability and ability to operate in the market. During seminars 24 people from 12 local papers belonging to the Independent Press Association, became familiar with the methods of managing a newspaper, its promotion and distribution, and also discussed the social role of local press. Participants of the seminars elaborated development plans for their newspapers. The authors of the 10 most interesting proposals worked as trainees on editorials and boards of directors of Polish local newspapers.

In 2008, PLN 4.5 million was allocated for the development assistance provided to Moldova