On 25 and 26 June, the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), delivered the first part of a two-part training series titled “Understanding the Local Impact of EU Accession” for the Bureau for European Integration (BEI) of Moldova. The training was organised with the support of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade as part of a broader effort to prepare Moldovan institutions for EU integration.
Held in the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, the seminar brought together local public authority (LPA) officials from across the country, municipal, district (raion), and sub-state levels, for an exploration of the institutional, legal, and policy implications of Moldova’s path toward EU accession.
EIPA experts Juan Diego Ramírez-Cárdenas Díaz and Wolfgang Koeth facilitated the training which focused on three key themes:
EU multilevel governance
Representation of LPAs’ interests in EU affairs
Policy opportunities and legal obligations of LPAs
The overarching goal was to strengthen the capacity of LPAs to engage proactively with the EU accession process. As Moldova advances toward European Union membership, local authorities are expected to play a central role in implementing EU standards and translating European policies into real local development outcomes.
The sessions provided practical insights into the EU’s multilevel governance structure, legal framework, and the spectrum of policy areas where local authorities will be most affected, such as agriculture, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and social inclusion.
This initiative aligns with the BEI’s broader efforts to promote transparent and authoritative communication on EU integration at all levels of government. With national parliamentary elections approaching on 28 September 2025, the training also contributed to timely awareness-raising and institutional readiness across Moldova’s governance landscape.
Why It Matters:
Local authorities are key to making EU integration a reality on the ground. By attending this training, officials not only gained foresight into upcoming responsibilities but also positioned their localities to fully benefit from the opportunities that EU membership brings.
A second training module, delivered online, will take place on 16 July. In this part of the training, Moldovan LPAs officials will be briefed on pre and post accession EU funding mechanisms, so they can acquire the competences and skills necessary for effective EU fund absorption and resource mobilisation.
