Eurasia – Moldova's successor will continue efforts to strengthen democratic systems in Moldova

The East Europe Foundation (EEF) was registered on November 3, 2009. It is a successor of the Eurasia Foundation Moldova that will continue its 11-year work aimed at prompting democracy and the growth of a market economy in Moldova. The Eurasia Foundation will transfer its programmatic strategy and financial resources to the local team of the EEF, which will be officially launched in spring next year, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the Eurasia Foundation. In order to continue the efforts to strengthen the democratic systems in Moldova and support the institutional development of the EEF, the Eurasia Foundation received US$2.5 million in financial assistance from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The initiative is co-financed by the United States Agency for International Development. The resources will be allocated for implementing three main programs: Economic Development, Good Governance, and Social Action. These programs will be administered by the Eurasia Foundation Moldova Representative Office until the EEF starts work. The Economic Development Program will center on: (i) creation of economic opportunities at local level for rural and urban communities by providing assistance in improving the business environment that would encourage foreign direct investment, (ii) development of initiatives aimed at promoting the market economy. The Good Governance Program will continue the successful activities of the Eurasia Foundation in promoting free and fair elections, European integration, anti-corruption initiatives, public policies and development of the independent mass media. The Social Action Program will encourage private companies to help solve sustainable development problems by facilitating partnerships between the NGOs, private sector and the local public authorities and will promote corporate social responsibility among private companies. An Open Grant Program for local NGOs, mass media and nonprofit organizations will be implemented with the money provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. Grants will be offered for innovatory initiatives that meet the country's immediate and critical needs. The Eurasia Foundation invested about US$360 million in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan through over 8,400 technical assistance programs and grants.