Moldova Marks Europe Day

IWPR and local Moldovan partners joined a lively programme of events in central Chișinău to mark Europe Day and celebrate the country’s growing partnership with the EU.

Despite the rainy weather, crowds flocked to the Moldovan capital’s Great National Assembly Square where some 20 member states were showcasing their cultural and culinary traditions.

IWPR was among nearly 60 EU-funded projects that participated in the festival, offering examples of their work in areas such as rural development, social inclusion and economic resilience.

"It was a day filled with energy, colour, and community spirit in the heart of Chișinău,” said Tatiana Puiu, project manager of IWPR’s Building Resilience in Moldova [BRIM] programme.

IWPR hosted a media literacy tent with its local partners where members of the public  —especially young people— were provided with tools to identify and counter disinformation.

The Association of Independent Press (API) held a “StopFals!” media challenge, an interactive game where visitors had to distinguish between real and fake stories, learning how to recognise bias, misinformation and manipulative narratives.

StopFals manager Maria Praporșcic said she was delighted by the diversity of the crowd that joined the celebrations.

“Through their participation in the activities we organised, they demonstrated that they can stand up to disinformation, that they are well-informed and understand what professional journalism, quality media, and the values shared by the EU mean — values with which we identify our future.”

IWPR’s other BRIM partner, the Youth Media Center (YMC) NGO, hosted an educational quiz focused on EU values, institutions, and history. Young participants tested their knowledge while gaining a deeper understanding of the EU's role in Moldova and their daily lives.

YMC executive director Veronica Boboc, was also “deeply impressed” by the number and diversity of projects on show.

“We were glad to reconnect with colleagues and beneficiaries, but also to discover new organisations from across the country, to learn more about their projects, and to exchange contacts with a view to possible future collaborations,” she continued.

“We were pleased to see many young people among the visitors to the European Village, interested in learning more about our media literacy initiatives. This interest shows us that their generation envisions its future based on the values and European path of the country.”

Throughout the day, representatives offered media literacy materials including brochures, fact-checking tips and guides on how to navigate the modern information environment.  

“Being part of this experience, alongside so many committed organisations and individuals, reaffirmed for me how vital our joint efforts are in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting media freedom, and building a resilient society,” said IWPR’s Puiu. “It was a powerful reminder that Europe is not just a destination — it is a shared commitment and a lived experience.”