Ten schools in Moldova will pilot a new optional course in the 2023-2024 school year on electoral education. A textbook for the optional discipline is now in preparation, to be followed by a teacher’s guide as well.

The initiative belongs to the Center for Continuous Training in Electoral Matters (CICDE), in partnership with UNDP.

At least 220 students will obtain basic knowledge in electoral matters, they will be able to formulate tasks for the government, they will know how to verify the pledges made by elected officials, and as candidates they will know how to register in the electoral race, to carry out an electoral campaign and to assume responsibilities of representation and public participation, according to a press release issued by UNDP.

Starting with the 2023-2024 academic year, students in the 9th and/or 10th grades will have the opportunity to select this subject as an optional.

In 2022, UNDP developed a study that proposes actions to train generations of young people who are civically active and involved in electoral processes, analyzes what are the international and regional practices in the field of electoral education and how Moldova could improve the electoral education process.