site.btaBulgaria Implements Projects in Moldova to Support European Integration, Sustainable Development

In 2024, Bulgaria is implementing projects in Moldova covering various areas such as education, infrastructure, energy efficiency and cultural cooperation. Many of them have already been completed and are in the process of implementation, aiming to support Moldova's European integration, improve living conditions and strengthen ties between the two countries.

The Bulgarian Embassy in Chisinau said that one of the completed projects is the reforestation of damaged land in the Taraclia region. Thanks to Bulgarian funding, a total of 74,000 trees were planted on an area of 12 hectares in the area around the town of Tvarditsa. The project was implemented by the NGO Impadurim Moldova with a budget of EUR 117,485. In addition, the roof of the local school in the village of Chumai was renovated and its energy efficiency was improved with the beneficiary Bulgarian Spirit Foundation, with an investment of EUR 66,059.

Another project is the expansion of the possibilities for robotics courses at the Ivan Vazov Theoretical Lyceum in Taraclia. With EUR 28,000 provided by the Association for the Development of the Bulgarian Community in Moldova, Lego sets, 3D printers and laptops were purchased, and a visit to Bulgaria to participate in an international robotics competition was organized. Also, in order to modernize the educational infrastructure, the Moldovan Ministry of Education and Research purchased modern equipment for schools in the Taraclia region, worth EUR 92,102, as well as three school buses for the region, with a budget of EUR 120,000. The total value of all the projects (more than 25) in 2024 amounts to around EUR 1,172,896. The Bulgarian Embassy said that these efforts underline Bulgaria's commitment to Moldova's sustainable development, with support in key areas such as education, culture, infrastructure and the fight against misinformation.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova in 2014, the number of ethnic Bulgarians in Moldova is about 54,000, which represents 1.9% of the country's population (2,804,801 people). The largest number of them live in the Taraclia region. The Bulgarian community can also be found in the Autonomous Territorial Entity of Gagauzia, as well as in the Cahul, Cantemir and Leova regions.