Moldova (officially, the Republic of Moldova) is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. A largely agricultural economy in the past due to varied and highly fertile soil, the country is following its path to modernized processing and industrial sectors development. Fruit productions and nuts cultivation are traditionally and particularly important for the country’s labor market and exports. These value chains are in the focus of the PROGRESS project in Moldova, working closely with the national partners – the State Chancellery, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, business and producers’ associations and other organizations.

Key areas of work include:

• Policy Support – Assisting national stakeholders in developing evidence-based policies and frameworks that integrate climate resilience, sustainable land management, and biodiversity conservation into economic planning.
• Business Engagement – Implementing demonstration projects with farmers and agribusinesses to introduce climate-smart agricultural practices, resource-efficient processing technologies, and circular economy solutions, with strong potential for replication and scaling.
• Community Awareness – Partnering with local advocacy groups and agencies to promote the benefits of sustainable agro-products and to engage citizens, including female leaders, in the green transition.
• Green Finance – Expanding access to environmentally responsible financial products and services, improving financial literacy, and supporting the preparation of investment proposals for climate-oriented and green projects.
• Regional Cooperation – Facilitating knowledge exchange, peer learning, and capacity building with other Eastern Partnership countries to replicate successful models and enhance the impact of sustainable practices.

Through these efforts, PROGRESS in Moldova works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen rural livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability.