Embedded Files
Ms. Veronica Cretu, co-fonder of the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task force and the moderator of the event, opened the dialogue by framing the conversation as essential not only for Moldova but for the future of European security and democracy. She underscored that democracy is a continuous, "full-time job" shaped daily by the actions of investigative journalists, civil society leaders, and an engaged diaspora, the very experts present at the event.
Speaking as a citizen of Moldova and a member of the diaspora, Veronica formally opened the dialogue, "Moldova Defends Democracy: How Moldova protected its 2025 elections despite €350 million in interference."
She extended profound gratitude to the key partners who made the event possible:
•The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria (BMEIA): Acknowledged as the cornerstone partner for their generous support of the venue and for enabling the travel of media experts from Moldova.
•The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum: Recognized for their steadfast partnership and early belief in the Vienna Dialogue initiative since its inception in 2023.
•Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Moldova: Thanked for their instrumental collaboration in bringing vital local expertise to the dialogue.
Ms. Cretu emphasized that the dialogue’s central purpose was to shift the narrative from "protecting Moldova" to "learning from Moldova." She positioned the country as a valuable source of expertise, a frontline state that has successfully defended its democracy against an unprecedented hybrid assault.
She contextualized this achievement within Moldova’s accelerated journey toward the European Union, highlighting key milestones from its 2022 application to the official opening of accession negotiations in 2024 and the successful completion of the screening process in September 2025. She reiterated President Maia Sandu’s message that this path is about Moldova’s desire to "be part of the free world."
Ms. Cretu detailed the scale of the interference campaign, an estimated €350 million, and framed Moldova’s successful 2024 referendum and 2025 elections as a clear and resounding verdict delivered by the Moldovan people against a multi-front war on truth, integrity, and stability.
In closing, she stated that the dialogue’s goal was to understand the multi-layered strategy that enabled this success and to build a blueprint for democratic resilience applicable not just to Moldova, but to all of Europe.
Below, you can find the social media posts by Veronica, shared after the event.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) Österreichisches Außenministerium for their invaluable and generous support, participation and strong message at the “Moldova Defends Democracy” event in Vienna this past week on November 6th.
It was an honor to have Mr. Moritz Ehrmann, Head of the Division for Eastern Europe and Southern Caucasus, join us and reaffirm Austria's steadfast commitment to Moldova's democratic path and European future. We deeply appreciate that Mr. Moritz took part in the event from start to finish. It is quite rare for a high-level official to devote so much time and attention, and it made a meaningful difference.
But what we want to highlight is that Austria's support is not a recent development, but rather the continuation of a deep and impactful partnership that has been transforming lives across Moldova for nearly two decades.
For years, the Austrian Embassy Chișinău Austrian Development Agency have been a cornerstone of this relationship, investing in the very fabric of our society. In fact, Moldova has been a priority country for Austrian Development Cooperation since 2004, with a current portfolio of 14 projects valued at over €32 million.
One of the most powerful examples of this partnership is in Vocational Education and Training (VET), a sector that the ADA has placed at the core of its activities.
Hundreds of students, teachers, and community members across Moldova know Austria not just as a name on a map, but as a partner in their future.
Through the “Connecting youth with jobs through life skills development” project, implemented with UNFPA, Austria is helping to empower nearly 30,000 young people across all 90 of Moldova's VET institutions, providing them with the skills to build a future at home. The establishment of the new Higher Technical College for Electronics and Computer Engineering in Balti, with a more than €2 million investment from Austria, is a testament to this commitment to fostering innovation and opportunity.
Karina Nersesyan posted last week that with support from UNFPA Moldova and #Austria , in partnership with Ministerul Educației și Cercetării al Republicii Moldova, every 2nd vocational school in Moldova is now equipped with #EduLife classrooms.
But the impact doesn't stop there. Austria's current support in Moldova is bringing fundamental changes to communities across Moldova:
Water & Sanitation
- Through the Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project, an Austrian contribution of €1.75 million is helping to bring safely managed drinking water and sanitation to 66,500 people. This initiative will also improve hygiene facilities in 100 schools and 25 rural health clinics.
Rural Development
- Accounting for nearly half of Austria's development funding, projects are creating new perspectives in rural areas. This includes providing state-of-the-art water infrastructure and promoting modern, GMO-free agriculture in some of Moldova's poorest regions.
Economic Growth
- By investing in education and creating a skilled workforce, Austria is helping to attract foreign investment and create sustainable economic growth, following a model that has proven successful in other European nations.
From the students in Balti learning high-tech skills, to the families in Cantemir benefiting from modern infrastructure, the connections between Austria and Moldova are real and they are profound.
These are not just projects; they are bridges of friendship and shared values.
Thank you, Austria, for seeing Moldova, for believing in our potential, and for being a true and reliable partner on our European path. Thank you, Austria, for also being my home country!
#Austria #Moldova #ADCF #ADA #EU4Moldova #StrongerTogether #Democracy #EuropeanIntegration #Partnership
Taking stock of Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Austria, Mrs Victoria Roşa's analysis of how our nation successfully defended its democracy, which she shared with our participants as part of her welcoming remarks!
Amb Roșa highlighted three factors/ pillars that contributed to Moldova's resilience:
1. Unity: The primary lesson is the power of a "whole-of-society" approach. Moldova’s success was a direct result of synergy between government, state institutions, civil society, the diaspora, and international partners. Collective action is the most critical factor in withstanding external pressure.
2. Rule of law & strong institutions: An unwavering commitment to a functional justice system and robust anti-corruption bodies is fundamental. These institutions build the trust of both citizens and international partners, forming the bedrock of a resilient democracy.
3. Connectivity & knowledge: "A threat to Moldova is a threat to all of Europe." Ambassador Roșa argued that the best way to counter shared threats is through increased knowledge and human connection. By fostering direct engagement and personal relationships, we can transform fear into confidence and build lasting partnerships.
Note: And while Ambassador mentioned the challenge of limited public awareness about Austria in Moldova and about Moldova in Austria, this underscores the opportunity to better communicate the deep and impactful partnership that already exists. With Austria as a top-10 investor in Moldova, currently implementing 14 projects, estimated at 32 million euros in sectors such as VET/dual education, water and sanitation, etc., Austria is indeed a crucial development partner, and the task ahead for all of us to ensure this strong institutional support is fully understood and felt at the grassroots level.
And finally, Ambassador Roșa concluded by framing Moldova's victory as a collective success and a shared victory, which was made possible by the solidarity of friends and partners across the diplomatic community and beyond. Her remarks were a reminder that in the fight for democracy, we are all connected.
Thank you, Ambassador Roșa for sharing these insightful lessons with our participants!
#MoldovaDefendsDemocracy #DemocraticResilience #RuleOfLaw #Unity #Connectivity #Moldova #EuropeanUnion #ViennaDialogue #Diplomacy #StandWithMoldova
Sometimes, a keynote speech is more than just a speech!
Last week at our #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy, I had the immense honor of introducing our keynote speaker, Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith. To our audience, she was the esteemed former U.S. Ambassador to Moldova (2001-2003), who delivered a masterclass on the power of diplomatic persistence and principled engagement. She spoke of Moldova’s long journey, recalling her work with a communist government and the steady, patient effort it took to help steer the country toward a European path.
She underscored the unresolved challenge of Transnistria, recalling early discussions around federalization and the complexities that continue to shape regional security today.
She highlighted a number of questions that we still have to address in moving forward: How can Moldova advance toward EU membership with the Transnistria issue unresolved? What will it take to address this challenge while safeguarding the country’s European future?
She also emphasized that Moldova’s democratic resilience matters now more than ever.
Important is to note that Ambassador Smith was proudly wearing The Order of the Republic. She does so for any Moldova related event.
On a personal note: she is Dna Pamela , the mentor who fundamentally shaped my life’s trajectory. Back in the early 2000s, I was a young professional piloting intensive English courses, being a graduate of Foreign Languages. The Ambassador wanted to immerse herself in the Romanian language and, more importantly, the local culture and traditions. I was not a Romanian language teacher, but a native speaker who could help her unpack certain things. We would dedicate entire days to this work—long, intensive sessions that stretched from 8 in the morning until 8 at night.
There was no social media then. Our tools were local newspapers. We would spend hours analyzing the news, discussing social behaviors, and trying to understand the political landscape and the genuine intentions of the Moldovan politicians.
I would sometimes accompany her on trips around the country, our conversations continuing in the car. It was through these discussions, this deep, immersive mentorship, that she ignited my passion for diplomacy and international work. In 2004 I received a scholarship for Post-graduate Studies in Diplomacy and IT in Malta, and so it all started
That relationship grew into a lifelong friendship, that continues to this day. It is the greatest honor that our daughter, Pamela, is named after her.
To see her on our stage in Vienna, sharing the very lessons of strategic vision and sustained commitment that she once taught me, was a moment of overwhelming gratitude. Her keynote wasn’t just a historical perspective; it was a living example of the values she has embodied for decades.
Thank you, Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith, for your wisdom, for your service, and for being a guide for so many of us.
You are living proof that the most powerful diplomacy is often built on the most human of connections.
#Mentorship #Diplomacy #DefendDemocracy #Moldova #USdiplomacy #WomenInLeadership #ViennaMoldovaDialogue2025
In the fight for democracy, data is key.
At our #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy exactly a week ago, in Vienna, we saw the proof.
And many of you know my passion for data, data driven governance, data driven decision making and so, the data piece was brought into the discussions by my good, old friend Alexandra Sabou who is now Advocacy & EaP Index Manager @ Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.
I am very grateful for Alexandra's continuous support for Moldova, and our efforts as diaspora. And I have to state that it was Alexandra and the EaP CSF, who is 2023, supported our first Vienna-Moldova dialogue. That first edition gave us the motivation to continue the dialogues, and this time, Alexandra supported us with connections in the Austrian government, which was truly valuable! We are forever grateful
So, back to data - Alexandra Sb delivered a powerful, data-driven analysis from the #EaPIndex2025, demonstrating how Moldova successfully defended its democracy against massive hybrid threats. It's not just a story of courage; it's a measurable reality.
Key findings from the EaP Index show (the full presentation can be found here):
Leading Performance: Despite interference, Moldova strengthened its democratic rights, leading the Eastern Partnership region.
Unprecedented unity: A coalition of 127 civil society organizations united to stand against a proposed 'foreign agents' law, showcasing incredible resilience.
Strong mandate: With over 60% public support for EU integration, the country's direction is backed by a clear democratic will.
So, what was the secret to success?
Alexandra outlined three critical pillars of Moldova's defense strategy:
Defend the information space: Proactively 'pre-bunk' disinformation before it spreads, rather than just reacting to it.
Follow the money: Implement transparent campaign finance monitoring and swiftly disqualify illicit actors.
Empower society: Recognize that civil society, youth, and the diaspora are not just stakeholders but central pillars of national resilience.
The lesson is clear: even most vulnerable democracies can win in the face of brutal hybrid warfare. And Moldova offers a data-backed, replicable model for other frontline states to learn from!
For those interested in the full data of the Index2025, here comes the link https://eap-csf.eu/what-we-do/eap-index/
Presentation is available here!
#DefendDemocracy #Moldova #EaPIndex #CivilSociety #DataForGood #HybridWarfare #Resilience #EUintegration #EasternPartnership #ViennaDialogue2025
How do you build democratic resilience that lasts? We believe it happens at the intersection of smart local policy and strategic partnerships. Don't you?!
We had a brilliant FireSide Chat during the #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy event in Vienna exactly a week ago, which brought together two exceptional experts to explore this vital hypothesis or perspective:
Pistrinciuc Vadim, PhD, Director of the Institute for Public Policy (IPIS). A former Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, and Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, Vadim brings invaluable experience in public administration reform, social policy, and anti-corruption from both government and international organizations like UNDP and UNICEF.
Natalia Corobca-Ianusevici, MA, Project Manager at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Moldova. With a Master's in European Studies from Göttingen and a background at the German Embassy and the Foreign Policy Association, Natalia provides important perspective on the role of international development partners in strengthening local institutions.
We are deeply grateful to both of them for making the time to be with us in Vienna and share their perspectives with us!
The fireside chat, moderated by Natalia, dove deep into some of the mechanics of democratic defense, which in Moldova's case was a whole-of-society approach:
• Targeting vulnerabilities: They discussed how the € multi-million interference campaign by russia specifically targeted social policies and vulnerable communities, and how institutional responses evolved from reactive to proactive.
• Beyond the polls: the insights of the chat offered a critical perspective about over-reliance on traditional opinion polls, noting that nearly all were wrong about the Moldovan election results. Thus, there is an urgent need to diversify our information sources—relying on a blend of qualitative data, investigative journalism, and direct community feedback—to get a true picture of the public mood in an environment saturated with disinformation.
• Effective partnerships: The key takeaway - International support is most effective when it aligns with local priorities and is implemented through trusted, on-the-ground institutions.
• Sustainable resilience: The dialogue highlighted that true, long-term resilience is built when strategic partners and local policymakers work in synergy, creating a defense that outlasts any single election cycle.
This is how sustainable change is made. It’s not just about funding; it’s about building trust, aligning goals, and empowering local expertise.
#Partnership #Policy #DefendDemocracy #Moldova #KonradAdenauerStiftung #IPIS #CivilSociety #GoodGovernance #ViennaDialogue2025
Democracy has a shield. It's called investigative journalism.
At our #MoldoveDefendsDemocracy event in Vienna last week, the "Media and Civil Society on the frontlines" panel delivered a powerful and urgent message about how democracies are truly defended in the 21st century.
We were happy to have Măriuța Nistor of Ziarul de Gardă with us, who shared the breathtaking inside story of how her colleagues and herself stood on the frontlines against a multi-million dollar interference campaign in Moldova. Mariuța and her colleagues went undercover to infiltrate russian-backed troll farms, documented systematic vote-buying schemes, and mapped the flow of illicit funds through cryptocurrency channels.
Their work had a real-time impact, particularly as Mariuta pointed out, during the 2025 elections - disrupting interference campaigns as they happened and educating the public on the manipulation techniques being used by russia in Moldova.
As Mariuța stated, investigative journalism is one of the most effective tools we have to ensure transparency and accountability. In an era of brutal disinformation, supporting fearless, independent media like Ziarul de Gardă is a strategic necessity for the survival of free societies.
We salute their courage and their enormous contribution to defending Moldova's democratic future. And here you can access some of the most important investigations by Mariuta and her peers.
#InvestigativeJournalism #DefendDemocracy #PressFreedom #Moldova #HybridWarfare #Disinformation #ZiarulDeGarda #ViennaDialogue2025 #CivilSociety #InformationWar
In times of crisis, independent voices are essential.
As Gagauzia navigates a deeply challenging situation as I am writing this post, the work of journalists like Mihail Sirkeli of Nokta becomes more critical than ever.
Just last week at our #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy event in Vienna, Mihail delivered an insightful analysis on defending democracy in the southern part of Moldova - Gagauzia. Thank you very much, dear Mihail for your valuable contribution to the discussions last week!
On a personal note, this region is very close to my heart. I spent my early formative years (ages 5–12) in a Gagauz community, where I came to understand the culture, language, and values deeply. It is painful to see how the hardworking people of Gagauzia are being manipulated by Shor and russia against the rest of Moldova.
Therefore, it was great to have Mihail with us as he detailed the evolution of the Moldovan Government response to hybrid threats coming from the region, from weak and reactive in 2023 to a proactive, coordinated effort in 2025. This demonstrated a vital lesson that institutions can learn and adapt.
At the same time, our audience was keen to understand where the amount of 350 million in interference comes from (the title of our event said „Moldova defends democracy”
How Moldova protected its 2025 elections despite €350 million in interference). There were various reports and we put several sources together.
However, Mihal's analysis alone provides a good illustration of the data that was tracked, although much remained unrecorded due to cash transactions.
- Starting from April 2024, approximately 130,000 people in Moldova became clients of PromSvyazBank — a russian state-controlled financial institution under international sanctions and affiliated with the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation.
- In the six months preceding the Constitutional Referendum (October 2024), these individuals reportedly
began receiving monthly transfers of at least 10,000 RUB (≈100 USD).
- Among them, around 40,000 recipients were from Gagauzia, where a total of 59,000 voters participated in the Referendum — indicating that the Shor Network’s financial influence covered nearly two-thirds of the electorate in the region.
Simple mathematics: 130 k@100 USD@6 months = 78 mln USD
You can access his presentation here!
Mihail’s work with Nokta is a masterclass in the role of independent media. It serves as a tool for societal mobilization, a source of factual counter-narratives, and a platform for maintaining democratic discourse, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Today, as the crisis unfolds, Mihail and his team are on the frontlines, providing the community with essential information and offering clear-eyed analysis on how the government in Chișinău should or could engage. Remains to be seen in the weeks/months to come.
#Gagauzia #Moldova #PressFreedom #IndependentMedia #Nokta #DefendDemocracy #HybridWarfare #CivilSociety #ViennaDialogue2025 #StandWithJournalists
"This is a test of societal resilience that most, if not every, European democracy will eventually face."
This was the uncomfortable truth delivered at our #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy event in Vienna, exactly a week ago, by the brilliant Victor Guzun former Ambassador of Moldova to Estonia and a digital policy expert at the @Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE). We are grateful, dear Victor, that you made the time to be in Vienna with us, last week, and share your insights with our Austria based partners, and not only.
Drawing on his deep diplomatic and policy experience, Victor presented a masterclass in modern democratic defense, outlining the key strategic lessons from Moldova's success:
Whole-of-society effort: Resilience isn't just a government job. It requires a symphony of action from institutions, citizens, media, the diaspora, and international partners acting in unison.
An empowered diaspora: No longer just observers, Moldovans abroad have become a strategic force, driving coordinated, systemic change from the outside in.
Truth as a weapon: The most effective defense against propaganda is not censorship, but a relentless offense of facts, logic, and open debate.
Victor's core message was a wake-up call: hybrid interference is not an abstract threat, but an existential one that strikes at the heart of national independence and values. In this new reality, we must be prepared.
His closing words should echo in the halls of every European capital: "When the largest war in Europe since the Second World War rages at our borders, threatening our values and very existence, truth can no longer be distorted—and our reactions can no longer be hesitant."
Clarity, courage, and conviction are not choices; they are obligations.
Full presentation available here!
#DefendDemocracy #Moldova #Diaspora #HybridWarfare #StrategicLessons #IPRE #ViennaDialogue2025 #EuropeanSecurity #TruthMatters
Who else defends democracy in times of hybrid warfare and brutal interference in national elections?
At our #MoldovaDefendsDemocracy event exactly a week ago, we argued that one of the nation’s greatest strategic assets may well be its citizens abroad. We, members of the Moldovan Diaspora, continue to reflect on whether the term “diaspora” fully captures who we are and what we represent as Moldovans living beyond the country’s borders. But this is in itself the topic of another gathering in Vienna
Both of us, the co-founders of the Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force, Veronica Cretu and Natalia Cucoș, presented the emerging model for diaspora engagement, one built not just on remittances or nostalgia for the country of origin, but on highly-skilled, strategic action.
In brief about my background: expert in AI for Public Sector and Data for Development, serving as an Envoy with the Open Government Partnership, member of the Council of Europe's AI Committee. With 20+ years of experience across continents, working with institutions like the World Bank, UNESCO, UNFPA, Council of Europe, I bring a global perspective on governance and technology, and accordingly, trying to see ways in which certain practices are relevant for the diaspora engagement initiatives.
My dear co-lead , Natalia Cucoș is a specialist in communication and international economic relations, has driven marketing, SMM, and political grassroots campaigns in both Moldova, the USA, Austria. As a Goodwill Ambassador for “SOS Autism” Moldova, her work is rooted in community development and human capital. She is doing an amazing job at building networks, identifying people and building on their potential regardless of where they are in the diaspora.
We tried to illustrate how diaspora has become a decisive force in the 2024 and 2024 elections, building on the previous elections. And Natalia did a great job to illustrate that through video and other visual content as well.
• The diaspora acted as a key pillar alongside institutions, media, and civil society, proving that collective resilience is our strongest defense.
• Moldovans abroad have evolved into an engaged, strategic force. They became a decentralized network of fact-checkers, talking to family and friends, countering disinformation online, and mobilizing their communities. They adopted a critical mindset, asking key questions before sharing: "Who wrote this? What’s the source? Does it sound too dramatic to be true?"
• The diaspora was highly active across a wide range of social media and communication platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, Viber, Telegram), ensuring that pro-democratic and factual narratives were present in the digital spaces where communities gather.
• They framed the election in clear, unambiguous terms, stating plainly: "Our vote protects the democracy and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova."
• Members of the diaspora committed to talking with at least five other people to explain the importance of voting and what was truly at stake—not just a government, but the entire direction of the country.
• The Moldova4EU Diaspora Task Force itself is an illustration of this new, emerging model—a professional, non-partisan network channeling global expertise back home to secure a democratic, European future; but at the same time, doing advocacy with EU institutions, via Declarations etc.
It is obvious that an empowered, engaged, and highly-skilled diaspora is one of the most powerful, resilient, and innovative forces for defending democracy in the 21st century. How do we continue this desideratum of supporting, consolidating, strengthening its capacity?! How do we ensure that Diaspora become a stronger porta voce in the EU capitals?
These along with other important questions continue to be explored ... full presentation available here!
#Diaspora #DefendDemocracy #Moldova #Moldova4EU #ViennaDialogue2025 #CivicTech #DigitalDiaspora #Resilience
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