Canada

    Development/Implementing Agency

    Global Affairs Canada (GAC) / Affaires mondiales Canada coordinates Canada's foreign policy and international assistance.

    In the Republic of Moldova, Canada funds and supports projects and technical assistance implemented through Canadian and international organizations. The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) constitutes one of the key support instruments for local projects.

    Canada's relations with the Republic of Moldova are managed through the Embassy of Canada to Romania, accredited to Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Bulgaria.

    Contact Details

    Embassy of Canada to Romania – accredited also to the Republic of Moldova

    Address: 1-3 Tuberozelor St., 011411 Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania

    Tel.: +40 21 307 5000

    Fax: +40 21 307 5010

    E-mail: bucst@international.gc.ca

    Web: Embassy of Canada to Romania | Global Affairs Canada

    Legal Framework for Cooperation

    The Republic of Moldova and Canada established diplomatic relations on February 20, 1992.

    Development cooperation is carried out through specific programs, projects, financing instruments, and technical assistance. No single bilateral framework agreement on development cooperation that fully regulates Canadian assistance to the Republic of Moldova has been identified.

    The bilateral framework also includes the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), signed in June 2018 and entered into force on August 23, 2019.

    Strategic Programming Documents

    Canada's international assistance is guided by the policy and priorities of the Government of Canada in the area of international assistance and is primarily managed by Global Affairs Canada.

    In the Republic of Moldova, Canadian support is oriented towards strengthening civil society and human rights, justice reform, free and fair elections, inclusive governance and the rule of law, peace and security, gender equality, and sustainable development.

    Project programming is carried out based on the applicable funding instrument, including through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), technical assistance programs, and initiatives implemented by Canadian and international organizations.

    Priority Sectors / Areas of Cooperation

    Canada's main areas of support in the Republic of Moldova include:

    • Strengthening civil society and the protection of human rights;

    • Justice reform and the rule of law;

    • Supporting free and fair elections;

    • Inclusive governance;

    • Peace and security;

    • Gender equality;

    • Sustainable development;

    • Strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova;

    • Private sector development and sustainable economic growth;

    • Climate resilience and energy transition;

    • Support for the Republic of Moldova’s response to the impact of the war in Ukraine and needs generated by hosting refugees.

    Type of Funds / Financial Instruments

    Canada provides support to the Republic of Moldova through bilateral and multilateral instruments, including:

    • Grants for local projects and initiatives;

    • Technical assistance and expertise;

    • Funding through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI);

    • Funding for projects implemented by Canadian and international organizations;

    • Contributions through multilateral organizations and mechanisms;

    • Sovereign loans and co-financing of international financial institutions' operations.

    Major recent support:

    In September 2024, Canada announced a sovereign loan of CAD 120 million over a 10-year period to co-finance a World Bank development policy operation in the Republic of Moldova.

    Programming, Approval, and Implementation Procedures

    Programming, approval, and implementation of projects are carried out in accordance with the applicable international assistance instrument and Global Affairs Canada requirements. Projects can be implemented through Canadian and international organizations, civil society organizations, and other eligible partners based on specific funding agreements and project documents.

    Under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), projects are selected based on thematic priorities and program procedures, focusing on local initiatives with direct impact. Their implementation is subject to specific monitoring, reporting, and evaluation requirements set out in the funding instrument and applicable agreement.

    In the case of financial support provided through the co-financing of international financial institutions' operations, the mechanisms and conditions established for the respective financial operation (such as the agreement with the World Bank) apply directly.

    Other Information

    Canada strongly supports the integration of the Republic of Moldova into the European community and believes it directly contributes to the security and stability of the entire Euro-Atlantic region.

    Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022, Canada and the Republic of Moldova have significantly intensified their political, security, and economic relations.

    For the 2025-2026 period, the CFLI actively funds projects in the Republic of Moldova in the fields of inclusive governance and the rule of law, peace and security, gender equality, and sustainable development.

    Regulatory Framework

    • Operational framework for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI);

    • Bilateral funding agreements and specific documents for ongoing projects/programs;

    • Canada–Republic of Moldova Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), for the investment sector.