Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in Moldova (PADEM)
Moldova’s political context is characterised by a persistent opposition between pro-European and pro-Russian factions. Over the last decades, this divide manifested in deep political polarization, recurring governance crises and poor performance of the legislative power. Strengthening parliamentary work is an important pre-requisite to a viable democracy. Switzerland will support the Parliament of Moldova to strengthen its legislative, representative and oversight functions, and to increase its efficiency and transparency.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Moldova |
Gouvernance
Participation démocratique et société civile
|
01.02.2024
- 31.03.2029 |
CHF 5’300’000
|
- National State Institute SWISS
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- Secteur privé étranger Nord
- Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE GOUVERNEMENT ET SOCIETE CIVILE
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Participation démocratique et société civile
Thème transversal Le projet est axé sur l'amélioration du fonctionnement de l'organisation partenaire
Type d'aide Mandat avec gestion de fonds
Assistance technique avec détachement d'experts
Numéro de projet 7F09960
| Contexte | In recent years, Moldova faced significant challenges, e.g. the exacerbation of the unresolved territorial dispute between the two Banks of the Dniester river, the effects of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, including a large influx of refugees, repeated energy crises, as well as external interference in domestic affairs. These challenges have added layers of complexity to Moldova’s political context, aggravating existing tensions and hindering efforts towards national unity and cohesion. Despite these obstacles, Moldova continues to navigate its path towards democratic transition and European integration. Strengthening parliamentary efficiency and performance, including related checks and balances, is an important pre-requisite to a viable democracy. In December 2023, SDC took the decision to support the Parliament of Moldova to strengthen its legislative, representative and oversight functions, and to increase its efficiency and transparency, through a dedicated project. Swiss Parliamentary Services were mobilised from the onset in order to boost the collaboration between the two parliaments. |
| Objectifs | Irreversibly improved parliamentary practices, ensuring parliamentary democracy and resilience, and independence of the institution. |
| Groupes cibles |
Relevant parliamentary structures and their staff, members of Parliament, and civil society organizations. Final beneficiaries: The Moldovan society as a whole, benefitting from the changes brought by the improved parliamentary practices and inclusive development interventions. |
| Effets à moyen terme |
Outcome 1: Improved quality of legislation adopted by the parliament Outcome 2: More consistent and effective parliamentary oversight Outcome 3: Improved communication between parliament and citizens |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: • Professional training package for members of Parliament and staff of the Parliament’s Secretariat developed and institutionalized • Parliamentary standing committeees have improved capacities, tools and processes to ensure appropriate pre-legislative scrutiny • The capacities of Parliament’s Secretariat strengthened in terms of post-legislative scrutiny and budget oversight functions • Initiatives fostering cross-party cooperation, political dialogue and consensus across political spectrum developed and piloted • Parliament’s ability to engage with the public enhanced via capacity development and revised regulations and procedures • Innovative solutions for Parliament’s communication and transparency introduced Principaux résultats antérieurs: During the opening phase (01.02.2024-31.03.2025) two exchanges between the Moldovan Parliament’s Secretariat and the Swiss Parliamentary Services took place - one in Moldova and one in Switzerland - and some equipment to boost the Moldovan Parliament‘s IT capacity was procured. Besides, the opening phase allowed to assess, through political economy lenses, the competencies of and the existing power relations between stakeholders, their openness to change, and how the negotiation process for EU accession will impact the work of the Parliament of Moldova. Since the mandate modality of work was defined as being the most appropriate for such a project, the opening phase was also used for organizing the public tender to select a project faciliation unit. Finally, the opening phase allowed Switzerland to gain the reputation of a valuable partner for the Parliament of Moldova. |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel ONG internationale ou étrangère Secteur privé Institution étatique en Suisse Partenaire de mise en œuvre
DAI Global Belgium SRL is the implementing partner. The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova is the strategic partner in the implementation of the project.
|
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | Policy dialogue and coordination with the Parliament, Government and other relevant stakeholders will be at the core of the project. This will include continued participation in relevant donor coordination platforms and establishment of a Parliamentary Support Group as a coordination mechanism to facilitate ongoing exchange with development partners throughout the project phase. Synergies between Swiss-funded parliamentary projects in the region and beyond will be boosted, making the most of the shared experiences. |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 5’300’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 253’648 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 12’300’000 |
| Phases du projet | Phase 1 01.02.2024 - 31.03.2029 (Phase en cours) |
