Chisinau, March 31, 2026 – The Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi) organized the “Inspira Moldova” event, dedicated to presenting good practices and lessons learned from the experience of the “Governing Together” civic platform in Drochia district. The platform was reactivated in 2025 through the project “Reviving Civic Dialogue”, after initially being established in 2020 but not becoming functional at that time. The recent intervention aimed to relaunch and strengthen the platform as a practical mechanism for communication between civil society and local and district public authorities.
The meeting focused on presenting the activities carried out over the past six months, with an emphasis on results, challenges, and lessons learned. At the same time, participants reflected and exchanged experiences on how participation mechanisms function in practice. In addition, three platforms came together to discuss how to strengthen authentic dialogue between local public authorities and citizens.
In this context, the importance of citizen engagement and cooperation between civil society and authorities was highlighted as essential for developing effective public policies and advancing the European integration path of the Republic of Moldova.
The event brought together members of the “Governing Together” platform in Drochia, which unites 16 local civil society organizations, of which 10 were present, alongside other relevant stakeholders engaged in promoting civic participation and open governance. Participants included representatives of central and local public administration, civil society, and international organizations, including the State Chancellery and People in Need Moldova, as well as leaders of civic platforms and participatory councils from Drochia and Cahul.
Tatiana Cosuleanu, Executive Director of the Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi)
“Participation is not just a concept. It is essential for better policies, stronger communities, and, very concretely, for Moldova’s European path. Without participation, European integration remains a political objective, not a reality lived by people.” – Tatiana Cosuleanu, Executive Director of the Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi).
Diana Chiriac, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Local Public Administration within the State Chancellery
“The State Chancellery is open to cooperation. We encourage the creation of similar platforms in other communities. Citizen engagement is necessary.” – Diana Chiriac, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Local Public Administration within the State Chancellery.
Svetlana Busuioc, President of the Cahul District Participation Council, and Vladimir Lisenco, President of the Cahul Local Transparency Council
Svetlana Busuioc, President of the Cahul District Participation Council, and Vladimir Lisenco, President of the Cahul Local Transparency Council, shared a common perspective based on their experience in Cahul:
“Consistency and perseverance of civil society, combined with professionalism and a strategic approach, make the difference.”
Diana Rusu, President of the “Guvernăm Împreună” civic platform in Drochia district
From the perspective of the local platform, the need for dialogue is clearly felt:
“Citizens are asking for more transparency. Local authorities need support, and dialogue needs to be rebuilt.” – Diana Rusu, President of the “Guvernăm Împreună” civic platform in Drochia district.
The event highlighted the need to disseminate these practices and strengthen cooperation mechanisms between civil society and authorities, so that participatory initiatives become functional and sustainable at the national level, including through collaboration between platforms.
The event was organized by the Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi), in partnership with People in Need Moldova (PIN), within the “INSPIRĂ Moldova” project, funded by the European Union.
For more photos from the event, please access the Facebook page of the Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi):