Understanding Reforms: EU-Aligned Home Affairs Information Campaign in Moldova

The Understanding Reforms project aims to improve access to clear, verified, and accessible information on EU-aligned home affairs reforms among Ukrainian ethnic minority communities and other residents of northern and border regions of Moldova.

Moldova’s EU accession process, including reforms under Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security, involves changes in areas such as migration management, asylum, border governance, security, rights, and access to public services. For communities living in rural, semi-rural, and border areas, limited access to institutional information, language barriers, digital access constraints, and reliance on informal information sources can create barriers to understanding these processes and their relevance to everyday life.

Implemented by the National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM) with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the project uses a community-based and multi-channel approach to public information and engagement. Verified information on EU-aligned reforms is translated into clear and accessible messages in Ukrainian and Russian and disseminated through digital platforms, social media, community outreach, and in-person information sessions.

The project addresses key information needs through a structured communication approach that includes explanatory materials, frequently asked questions (FAQs), “Myth vs Fact” content, short videos, infographics, and public discussions. The information focuses on practical aspects of reforms, including migration and asylum procedures, rights and safeguards, border management, public services, and ways to identify and verify reliable information.

Community-based outreach complements digital dissemination, with targeted activities implemented in northern and border regions, including Edineț, Rîșcani, Strășeni, Cahul, and Comrat. In-person sessions provide community members with opportunities to ask questions, clarify concerns, and access verified information from relevant experts and public institutions.

The project builds on NCUM’s established communication capacity and its networks with Ukrainian ethnic minority communities, local public authorities, community institutions, and civil society organizations. By combining accessible information, trusted community outreach, and dialogue with public institutions, the initiative supports informed engagement with Moldova’s European integration process and strengthens access to reliable information among communities that may be under-reached by national public information efforts.

‍