Category Archives: Moldova

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova – Mediation

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Moldova – Mediation

Robert Cerari, a Roma leader (in Romanian they use the term Roma Baron), visited Vulcăneşti, Moldova,  to mediate peace between two feuding clans amidst ongoing violence.

During a rainy meeting, Cerari urged the Romani community to resolve their issues peacefully and respect the law, while clan leader Ilie Bogdan accused a rival of criminal behavior.

The article recounts a recent violent incident involving a shooting and subsequent vendetta, highlighting the tensions and need for dialogue within the community.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Drugs

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Moldova and Drugs

The village of Vulcăneşti in the Nisporeni district—located approximately 70 kilometers from Chişinău and 20 kilometers from the Romanian border—has the highest proportion of Roma residents in the Republic of Moldova. There are only three ethnic Moldovan families in the village, while a few other Moldovans have come to live there after marrying into the Roma community.

Tensions have flared up again (there was a murder a while back). This time, a group of residents has united against the drug trade in the village; according to them, more than half of the villagers regardless of age, use drugs.

What apparently angered the Roma community of Vulcăneşti the most was the fact that a young fellow villager, detained by the police for allegedly having drugs in his car, was released the very same day. The young man’s family, a rather influential one in the area, claims the case against him was fabricated by “enemies,” specifically other villagers.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

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Education in Moldova

Seven educational institutions in Moldova will test a new methodology for evaluating school practices from a human rights perspective, focusing on the protection of students’ rights, especially for vulnerable groups like Roma and refugees.

The methodology aims to help schools assess the respect for children’s rights in educational processes and daily practices, identifying areas for improvement.

The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNICEF Moldova and the UN Office for Human Rights in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research.

  • Protecție sporită pentru copiii romi și refugiați: O metodologie nouă privind drepturile omului, testată în șapte școli. In: Radio Moldova. 10.08.2026. https://radiomoldova.md/p/82781
Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Memory

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Moldova and Memory

On the eve of the memorial date for the genocide of Roma during World War II, vandals painted over a memorial in Moldova, changing its colors to a toxic red, which shocked community members.

The Roma community in Moldova, estimated at 12,000, is advocating for recognition of their genocide during the war, with many more living abroad, and they commemorate the tragedy annually on August 2.

A memorial panel was created to honor the victims, but the community fears it may be vandalized again, highlighting ongoing issues of intolerance and historical neglect regarding the Roma Holocaust.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova Commemoration

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Moldova Commemoration

A memorial plaque was inaugurated on August 3rd at the Visterniceni train station in Chișinău to commemorate the Roma deported during World War II, coinciding with the European Day of Commemoration of the Roma Holocaust.

Vasile Drangoi shared his family’s tragic story of deportation, highlighting the suffering and loss experienced by the Roma community during this period.

The Moldovan authorities are working on a national plan to promote awareness of the Roma Holocaust, including addressing anti-Roma sentiment in educational programs.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education in Moldova

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Education in Moldova

A meeting organized by the Ministry of Education and Research focused on developing services for Roma communities through community mediators, involving various stakeholders.

Discussions included improving educational access for Roma children and youth, preventing school absenteeism, and enhancing access to health and social services.

The new regulation defines the role of community mediators and aims to strengthen cooperation between mediators and public institutions to support Roma communities in Moldova.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education In Moldova

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Education In Moldova

A consultative meeting organized by the Ministry of Education in Soroca focused on improving access to education for Roma children and preventing school dropout.

The meeting included local authorities, educational institutions, community mediators, civil society organizations, and parents, discussing affirmative measures to support Roma students. The importance of early education and collaboration between authorities, schools, and the Roma community was emphasized to create a more inclusive educational environment.

Proposed measures include reserving 10% of places in first and tenth grades for Roma children, admission facilities for vocational and higher education, merit scholarships, and increased social scholarships for vulnerable families.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Artur Cerari

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Artur Cerari

Artur Cerari, the leader of the Roma community in Soroca, Moldova, passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 65. He succeeded his father, Mircea Cerari, who was a prominent figure in the Roma community during the Soviet era.

Cerari was known for mediating internal disputes and representing the Roma community in official matters, focusing on issues like economic migration and educational integration.

Te avel I phuv lohi I o drom angla leste puterdo.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Education

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Moldova and Education

Several articles in the Moldovan press about new measures regarding the integration of Roma in education. Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, special admission quotas and scholarships will be available for Roma students in schools, colleges, and universities, with 10% of available spots reserved for them.

Roma students will be exempt from admission fees and can access funded places, with a total of 120 individuals receiving financial support, including monthly scholarships of 1,200 lei.

The initiative aims to eliminate barriers to education for Roma children and ensure equal opportunities, as stated by Ivan Duminica from the Ministry of Education and Research.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldovan Mediators

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Moldovan Mediators

The Moldovan government approved changes to the regulations governing community mediators to enhance their effectiveness in assisting Roma families in accessing public services.

Community mediators will now have expanded responsibilities, including identifying vulnerable individuals and facilitating their contact with relevant public services. The reform includes ongoing professional training for mediators and aims to improve service quality and resource efficiency, promoting social inclusion and educational access for Roma children.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldovan National Program

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Moldovan National Program

The central goal of the Moldovan Roma National 2027-2030 Program is to enhance social inclusion and ensure equitable access for Roma to education, health, employment, social protection, and public participation.

The program includes measures to combat discrimination, develop community mediators, and promote Roma culture, validated by a meeting involving various stakeholders including government representatives and civil society organizations. Emphasis is placed on reducing inequalities and increasing access to quality public services, with active involvement from all stakeholders deemed essential for the program’s success.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Roma

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Moldova and Roma

A roundtable discussion at Edinet (Moldova) City Hall brought together representatives of the government, relevant services, and the Roma community. Photo: SP

Why are children from the Roma community in Edinet dropping out of school en masse, while adults are unable to find work? At a roundtable discussion on Roma rights in Moldova, this was addressed directly: with figures, stories, and without the usual excuses. The discussion on Roma community integration quickly expanded beyond the formal agenda to address migration, poverty, and mistrust, which continue to undermine even existing support mechanisms.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

April 8th, Moldova

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April 8th, Moldova

Only through respect and mutual support can we build a more inclusive and strong state, where every person matters and no one is left behind. This was the message expressed by President Maia Sandu on the occasion of International Roma Day on April 8.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Roma

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Moldova and Roma

A series of events dedicated to promoting intercultural dialogue and finding sustainable solutions for the educational and social inclusion of the Roma community will be organized as part of the “Roma Week” initiative. It was launched by the Ministry of Education and Research in the context of International Roma Day, celebrated annually on April 8.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Education and Roma

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Education and Roma

On Thursday, March 25, over 30 young Roma from across Moldova, members of the Young Roma Network of the Republic of Moldova, presented the “Young Roma Manifesto”—a document outlining clear educational priorities. These include ensuring equal access to quality education, supporting students from vulnerable backgrounds, and continuously developing educational policies tailored to the needs of Roma communities. Thousands of teachers participated in public discussions on the concept of school subjects. During the event, held at the Ministry of Education and Research, young people highlighted the positive impact of specialized educational programs, especially scholarships for academic achievement, intended for Roma students in lyceums, vocational schools, and universities.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova and Roma

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Moldova and Roma

President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu today participated in the conference “Roma and the Future of Work: A Social Rights Perspective” with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, where she discussed the challenges and achievements in integrating the Roma community.

The head of state noted that discrimination against Roma remains a widespread problem in many European countries, including the Republic of Moldova, as confirmed by the Council of Europe Secretary General’s 2025 report. In this context, the President emphasized the need for concrete and more targeted actions to integrate Roma into the labor market, as well as measures dedicated to youth and supporting entrepreneurship. The head of state also noted that the green and digital transitions must be inclusive, and all citizens, regardless of their origin, must be able to enjoy the full benefits of European integration.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

One of those Statistics

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One of those Statistics

According to this article, only 17.5% of children aged 7 to 16 attend the general education system in Soroca, Moldova. The situation was analysed during a public consultation organized by the Ministry of Education and Research in partnership with UNICEF Moldova, IPN reports.

Only issue: No one knows how many Roma are living there…

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova: Stipends

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Moldova: Stipends

93 Roma pupils and students will receive scholarships of 1,200 lei. The scholarships will be provided monthly by the Ministry of Education and Research. According to the authorities, the goal of the initiative is to reduce educational disparities and encourage young Roma to achieve academic success.

93 is not many compared to the Roma population of the country.

Moldova News Eastern Europe

Moldova: Flash Mob

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A flash mob took place in the center of Chisinau on July 7. The mostly Roma participants chanted slogans such as “Stop ethnic discrimination!” or “Stop the hate speech. Yes! Stop inciting hatred against Roma. Yes! Stop inciting hatred towards anyone. Yes!”

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