EF's information center in Balti helps to educate the public about European integration through seminars, conferences, debates and information campaigns.
A survey commissioned by Eurasia Foundation’s (EF) Moldova Representative Office revealed that Moldovans support policies towards greater integration with Europe.
“Moldovans perceive what the European Union is, they are pro-European and they want to be part of Europe some day,” said sociologist Dan Dungaciu, summarizing the results of EF's National Public Opinion Study on Progress Towards European Integration and the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan. The study was conducted by the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives Viitorul with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Conducted from January to May 2008, the study measured general public opinion towards the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan. It reveals that Moldova’s population is generally dissatisfied with the implementation of some sections of the Action Plan and believes that more work and strategic planning are needed and should involve a broader range of stakeholders.
The report shows that a strong majority of Moldovans believe that European integration would have a positive effect on their country. Nearly 82 percent believe that joining the EU will contribute to economic development; 80 percent believe that membership will lead to an influx of foreign investments and new technologies; and almost 80 percent believe that integration will lead job growth and higher income.
The survey also revealed a lack of understanding about Moldova’s current European Integration strategy, with only 37 percent of respondents aware that Moldova has policies in place aimed at reaching goals set by the EU, although nearly 78 percent of Moldovans have general knowledge about the EU.
In order to increase the public understanding of Moldova’s European integration process, EF has set up information centers in Cahul and Balti and works with civil society organizations in the regions as well as the Moldovan government to help increase the role of the public in the implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan.
As part of its European Integration program, Eurasia Foundation commissioned the public opinion study and provided the results to representatives of the Moldovan government, public officials, international organizations, development partners and media in order to mobilize agencies to implement necessary reforms, improve future public policies and encourage public discourse on implementation of the EU-Moldova Action Plan.
