Project Summary:

The “Promoting agriculture development and quality employment for the most vulnerable” project supports Moldova in modernizing agricultural governance and employment services for rural populations. By strengthening digital systems and institutional capacities across the labour market and agriculture, the project advances interoperability, data governance and more inclusive, efficient public service delivery.

Overall, the project expands access to integrated employment and digital agricultural services for vulnerable groups while reinforcing national institutions and accelerating Moldova’s EU-aligned digital transformation and rural development agenda. The project integrates the human rights-based approach and the leave no one behind principle, promotes gender equality, and supports green and sustainable development.

Objectives:

• Expand labour market participation and modernize agricultural service delivery through strengthened institutional and digital systems, with a focus on vulnerable rural populations;
• Enhance access to integrated, user-centred employment and social protection services through digital modernization of NEA and MLSP systems;
• Improve farmers’ access to efficient, transparent digital agricultural services by strengthening institutional capacity for nationwide rollout of the Digital National Farmers Register (dNFR).

Expected results:

• A new interoperable NEA Management Information System (MIS) designed, piloted, and deployed;
• Automated, client-oriented job-matching and registration processes operational nationwide;
• Integrated case management tools linking employment, social assistance, and social services introduced;
• Strengthened analytical capacity for labour market forecasting, performance monitoring, and employer engagement;
• NEA staff nationwide trained to apply new digital tools and adopt updated protocols and workflows;
• dNFR operationalized nationwide through embedded technical support for MAFI and AIPA;
• Interoperable, user-friendly self-registration tools developed for farmers;
• Institutional procedures, governance frameworks, and staffing plans updated to support dNFR sustainability;
• Central and local staff trained to manage digital agricultural services in line with IACS standards;
• Inclusive outreach, advisory mechanisms and digital literacy tools established to support uptake among smallholders, women farmers, and rural youth.

Accomplishments:

Agriculture component:

• Institutional Capacity Assessment of Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) performed: a comprehensive assessment was completed to evaluate AIPA’s readiness to implement the Digital National Farmers’ Registry (dNFR), covering governance, infrastructure, human resources, and operational processes;
• AIPA Capacity Development Plan (2026–2028) developed and implementation started: a structured reform and capacity-building roadmap was developed to address institutional gaps and support effective dNFR implementation. The plan outlines phased actions to strengthen staffing, digitalization, interoperability, and data-driven agricultural administration;
• Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) Roadmap developed and discussed with stakeholders: a strategic and operational roadmap was prepared to guide Moldova’s implementation of IACS, aligned with EU accession requirements;
• Legal framework for IACS and LPIS (Land Parcel Identification System) drafted: key legal and conceptual foundations for IACS were defined, including the structure, functions, and components such as the Farmers’ Register and LPIS. This framework ensures compliance with national law and alignment with EU agricultural policy requirements;
• IT Hub established for institutional beneficiaries: an IT hub has been established within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), bringing together a dedicated technical team to support the development of IACS. The team has been equipped and trained to perform its assigned functions, ensuring sustained in-house capacity for system development, maintenance, and implementation;
• 40 representatives of MAIA and AIPA trained on LPIS: 40 participants from the MAFI and AIPA benefited from training in geospatial data processing, land parcel mapping, quality assurance, and the operational use of the LPIS system.

Employment component:

• Foundations for the digital transformation of the National Employment Agency (NEA) were established: NEA existing information systems, business processes for the core functions were mapped and analysed, providing the functional basis for the development and procurement of the future Integrated Information System;
• Analytical basis for labour market data and reporting was developed: a diagnostic review of labour market data systems was carried out, laying the foundation for the harmonised Core Indicator Set aligned with EU Public Employment Services methodologies and comparable labour market reporting standards;
• Legal and regulatory conditions for an interoperable and compliant employment services system assessed: an assessment of the legal and regulatory framework covering employment services, interoperability, data protection, digital governance, and cybersecurity was carried out in support of the development of the Integrated Information System;
• Alignment with EU occupational classification and skills-based labour market systems was advanced: the ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations) – CORM (Classification of Occupations of the Republic of Moldova) occupational mapping exercise was launched to align national occupational classifications with European standards, supporting skills-based job matching, labour market intelligence, and future integration with European Employment Services (EURES) job portal;
• Interoperability and EURES readiness strengthened through technical standards and procedures: technical standards and procedures for data exchange, job matching, and implementation of the national EURES work programme were developed, enhancing Moldova’s readiness for interoperability and integration into the EURES network.