Beyond “Winner Takes All”: Exploring Inclusive Pathways for Democratic Reform in Moldova

Amidst rising polarisation and geopolitical pressure in the Eastern Partnership region, a recent webinar hosted by the Team Europe Democracy (TED) initiative and TED’s Rule of Law Working Group member Knowledge Platform Security & Rule of Law (KPSRL)and examined Moldova’s reform trajectory. Held on 20 May 2025, the session built on findings from a jointly developed policy memo, focusing on how international actors can support inclusive, citizen-centred democratic processes.

As Amy Eaglestone, doctoral researcher and author of the memo, explained in her opening presentation, the politicisation of EU integration processes in Moldova and elsewhere has risked undermining broader societal consensus on democratic change. “Democracy support needs to go beyond backing institutions and address why reforms are accepted or rejected by different segments of society,” she stressed.

The memo, developed through consultations with experts and policymakers, highlights the need for inclusive dialogue, civic engagement, and shared narratives for democratic futures. Eaglestone outlined three core components: understanding the motivations behind support for reforms; fostering broader participation beyond established elites; and embedding key principles such as transparency, reliability of partners, and a commitment to learning.

Speakers from Moldova and international partners brought the analysis to life with practical insights. Anastasia Pociumban, research fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations and the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum highlighted the tensions between the government’s reform agenda and public perception. While reforms have advanced under Moldova’s pro-European leadership, they are often framed in electoral terms, which can deepen polarisation rather than build consensus. She pointed to growing social fatigue, shaped by distrust in institutions, economic hardship, and the manipulation of identity narratives—including the instrumentalisation of religion. In this context, she underscored the need for more inclusive civic engagement strategies that recognise and address the underlying drivers of disengagement.

Solène Genty, Programme Coordinator Eastern Neighbourhood at the European Endowment for Democracy and member of TED’s Working Group Civic and Political Participation, stressed the importance of shifting EU democracy support away from high-level geopolitical framing and towards grounded, locally driven engagement. She underscored the value of working with grassroots initiatives, youth organisations, and hyper-local media outlets that are often more trusted and better placed to respond to community needs. In highly polarised or fragile contexts, she argued, traditional donor formats may inadvertently reinforce divisions or bypass critical actors. Instead, more discreet, flexible approaches—particularly those that allow for experimentation and localisation—can create safer spaces for engagement, dialogue, and trust-building. Genty also noted that cultural platforms, youth-led initiatives, and creative media can play an essential role in rebuilding connection and participation in environments where formal processes are viewed with suspicion or fatigue.

Viorel Furdui, Director of Moldova’s Congress of Local Authorities (CALM), provided a grounded perspective on the persistent disconnect between national reform processes and local realities. He highlighted that, while formal mechanisms for dialogue between central government, local authorities, and civil society exist on paper, they often remain inactive or symbolic. In practice, local governments are rarely meaningfully involved in shaping reforms, and their voices are frequently overlooked in national-level decision-making. Furdui emphasised that this exclusion is compounded by stark resource imbalances and limited administrative capacity, which undermine both the inclusiveness and long-term sustainability of reforms. He also pointed to a broader pattern of inconsistent donor coordination and reliance on external consultants, which risks sidelining local expertise and weakening institutional trust at the community level. CALM is a member of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe – “NALAS”, active in TED’s Working Group Civic and Political Participation. 

In the open discussion, participants echoed the need to bridge short-term political imperatives with long-term social cohesion. Contributors highlighted the importance of addressing public grievances through local platforms, building trust beyond capital city elites, and aligning donor support with realities on the ground.

As Moldova approaches key elections and continues its EU accession journey, the session served as a timely reminder that democracy cannot be built on technocratic fixes or polarised narratives alone. Instead, it requires a long-term, inclusive approach rooted in local ownership, citizen engagement, and flexible support that responds to real needs.

The webinar marked the continuation of a broader learning trajectory examining polarisation and democratic reform in the region, including previous sessions on Georgia. It forms part of TED’s broader focus on people-centred justice, inclusive governance, and shared democratic values across the Eastern Partnership region. Further activities and research are planned in the coming months.

The recording of the webinar can be accessed below: