The international review of youth policy in Moldova is part of the Council of Europe’s
series of youth policy reviews; Moldova is the 16th country to have been reviewed
since 1997. The report is thus based on the experience gained from the previous
reviews undertaken in several countries in both eastern and western Europe,
including one country from the Commonwealth of Independent States (Armenia).
Since these reviews were published they have, over the past decade, become an
important part of the body of knowledge that is needed in order to further develop
the thinking behind youth policy in an evidence-based and informed way and to
develop implementation strategies for the policy. Two synthesis reports, prepared
after the seventh and 14th reviews respectively, highlighted both common topics
and signifi cant differences in the thinking behind and approaches to national
youth policy in Europe (see Williamson 2002; 2008). The review process consists
of the production of a national report, followed by an international report prepared
by a delegation of experts on the basis of two visits to the country. The fi rst visit to
Moldova took place in June 2008, when the team visited the capital city and areas
outside of Chisinau. The second visit took place in November 2008. It included
contact with youth policy actors in some southern and western regions situated a
considerable distance from the capital, as well as some in Chisinau itself.
This report is based on a cross-sectoral understanding of youth policy. The focus
lies on youth policy structures, youth education (formal and especially nonformal),
youth transition to the labour market and entrepreneurship. There is
also an overview of policy related to social security (health and social protection,
childcare), youth justice and sport, while the areas of values and religion, leisure
time, housing and military service have been dealt with in less detail or omitted
altogether. In terms of transversal issues, attention has been paid to migration,
urban–rural division and the Transnistria issue. A special chapter is dedicated to
cross-cutting issues (youth information, youth participation, and social inclusion).