The Interreg 2023 Cooperation Day in the Republic of Moldova is celebrated today under the theme “Stronger Together for a European Year of Skills”. In the event staged at the Technical University of Moldova, the speakers told about the results and objectives, the assistance offered by the program for the benefit of the citizens. The event brought together representatives of the management units of the Joint Operational Program Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020 from both of the states, of diplomatic missions, partners and beneficiaries of projects, the academia, students, the general public, and journalists, IPN reports.

Alexandru Teacă, adviser at the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration of Romania, said that owing to this program, multiple projects to facilitate the young people’ access to the always changing labor market were financed. “More young people were involved in experience exchange within crossborder projects. A joint curriculum for universities from both of the countries, master’s programs and specializations were developed. This way, a contribution was made to harmonizing the educational sectors in the two countries so as to facilitate access to jobs in both of the states,” he said noting that a new Interreg cooperation program will be implemented until 2027 and will make important investments in education possible. A call for infrastructure project proposals was already made and one more call for projects of a lower value is to be launched the next days.

Olga Tretiacov, senior consultant at the Research and Innovation Policy Division of the Ministry of Education, noted that the Romania-Republic of Moldova Interreg NEXT Program will continue to support the development of digital skills through investments in specialized infrastructure, modern equipment and training of teaching staff. “We have to only further benefit from these opportunities and maximally use the instruments of these programs, treat them pragmatically, developing result-oriented projects, taking into account the interests and concerns of each partner state,” she said.

In the event, the participants could visit the car industry and industrial waste management laboratories of the Technical University of Moldova, which were modernized with the support of the Joint Operational Program Romania-Republic of Moldova 2014-2020, and could attend a lecture on entrepreneurial skills intended for students, which was staged by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development.

The Interreg Cooperation Day is celebrated all over Europe on September 21 to commemorate the achievements of the European Cooperation in Europe. Interreg comes together to celebrate cooperation across borders, regions, rivers, mountains and even bureaucracies. This year, the events staged on this occasion celebrate the development and good neighborhood skills achieved through crossborder cooperation.