From AI-based health care solutions to business development: Estonia-Moldova collaboration boosts country's readiness for EU accession

Impact.Gagauzia arose from the collaboration between the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), the government of the Republic of Moldova and the consulting firm Civitta. It has aimed to strengthen the region's capacity to articulate its development needs, align them with EU values and standards, and develop skills to prepare high-quality project applications to attract EU funding. 

Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial unit of Moldova, located in the south of the country. It was created to recognise the local Gagauz people, a Turkic-speaking, primarily Orthodox Christian ethnic group. Due to the region’s historical and cultural ties to Russia, Gagauzia has been cautious about Moldova's accession to the EU. However, the EU continues to actively support Gagauzia through various development and economic initiatives. 

Estonia is uniquely positioned to affect change in the region. By sharing its development experience in the post-Soviet space and passing on the lessons learned during Estonia’s own EU-accession process, Estonia can support regional officials as they navigate funding opportunities for projects within Gagauzia. 

"Supporting Moldova's administrative reform and empowering local governments are important topics for Estonia to achieve a long-term positive impact in the region. A stronger Moldova equals a stronger Eastern European wing, which in turn creates security for us," said Margus Gering, ESTDEV’s regional head for Europe. 

As a result of the collaboration, which first began in July 2025, over 100 participants from local governments, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector have developed 14 project ideas, each aligned with clearly defined thematic areas: smart mobility, regional innovation and innovative export development, local government empowerment and effective governance, youth leadership, and community infrastructure. 

The final ideas include, for example, an AI-based health care management system, capacity-building for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and an initiative to boost youth interest in science and STEM subjects. 

"Building on Estonia's extensive experience using external funding to achieve maximum impact, we were able to contribute to local development in Moldova. As a result, local stakeholders gained greater capacity to articulate their challenges and formalise them into larger joint projects that contribute to the country's efforts to join the European Union," said Reesi Lepa, an associate partner at Civitta Estonia. 

The lessons learned and tools developed in Gagauzia can be replicated in the rest of Moldova's development regions, contributing to strategic alignment with EU funding mechanisms, governance practices and regional innovation frameworks. 

Moldova has Estonia's full support in its accession to the European Union, and sharing Estonia's experience and deepening bilateral cooperation will contribute not only to Moldova's development but also to European security more broadly.