ESTDEV’s new project supports the strengthening of Moldova’s internal security forces

The delegation of the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) visited Moldova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ştefan cel Mare Police Academy where they met with top officials and internal security experts as part of its project to strengthen Moldova’s internal security forces.

The main goals of the project are related to the broadening of Moldova’s internal security forces’ understanding and proficiency of democratic governance practices aimed at ensuring public order. To achieve this, Moldova’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed an implementation programme for development cooperation. ESTDEV aims to empower the Moldovan internal security sector in the application of effective public order practices to enhance the implementation process.

“Within the framework of this project, the aim is to provide mentorship for the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs and its sub-departments. The support of Estonian experts allows the Ministry of Internal Affairs to accept and implement modern European approaches on internal security matters, to help their aspirations of achieving EU member state status,” explained Rando Kruusmaa, Project Manager at ESTDEV.

Discussions covered many areas related to the project; such as internal security (for example integrated border management), the modernisation of curriculums, Open Source Intelligence OSINT (the gathering of information from public sources) training aspects, and the incorporation of volunteer associations to strengthen internal security efforts.

“Internal security is an important aspect of international development cooperation. Moldova has asked for support in order to create a safer environment and necessary modernisations, which will support their efforts for joining the European Union. Estonia has a long-term and trustworthy cooperation with Moldova in the field of security, which allows us to develop and implement Estonia’s internal security practices in Moldova in cooperation with the relevant sectoral authorities,” said Lauri Luht, Regional Head of the EU Eastern neighbourhood at ESTDEV.

The project is being implemented with the help of ESTDEV partners NGO Organization for Development, Security and Sustainment, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, NGO Estonian Neighbourhood Watch and SensusQ.

The budget for the “Strengthening of Moldova’s internal security forces” project is 126 000 EUR with the duration spanning from 01.06.2023 to 31.12.2023.

Estonia has supported Moldovan development cooperation projects since the year 2000, with Moldova emerging as a priority country for Estonian bilateral development cooperation since 2006.

Since the year 2000, Estonia’s development cooperation funding has provided support to Moldova with a total investment of 10.4 million euros. Within that period, 261 projects have been completed and as of the 1st of September 2022, 9 projects are ongoing in Moldova.