European Year of Youth in Moldova launched in Chisinau

Chisinau, 20 April /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, along with representatives of the European Union Delegation in Moldova, led by EU Ambassador in Chisinau Janis Mazeiks, today participated in an event on the launch of the European Year of Youth in Moldova, hosted by the Moldovan State University (USM). Attending the event were also Education Minister Anatolie Topala and USM Rector Igor Sarov, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.       

In her speech, Natalia Gavrilita referred to the challenges faced by Moldova’s young people in the last years. She noted that the event was an occasion to motivate them to look into the future with hope and confidence. In this respect, the government will undertake all needed actions to further back the growing generation, the PM said.      

„Even if we experience difficult times, I strongly believe that the young people deserve a perspective in Moldova. We submitted the application on accession to the European Union, including while thinking about the future of the present generations of students, pupils or young specialists. This represents the most important guarantee as to a better future for those more than 710,000 young boys and girls from our country,’’ Natalia Gavrilita said.       

At the same time, the prime minister touched upon the programme of grants, launched by the cabinet, for people willing to start a business, as well as the initiation of 76 sub-projects for young people entrepreneurs in 23 districts of Moldova.   

„We know that many people dream of starting their own business. I encourage you to do this through the national programme titled, Start for Young People: a sustainable business at home. We also thought about the people from the rural environment: you have priority in accessing financing from the subsidization fund in agriculture, which was increased by 60 per cent this year against 2021,’’ the PM said, in the context.   

Also, the government has recently earmarked 10 million lei for providing cultural vouchers for young people – something new for Moldova. With these vouchers, young people will be able to go to theatres, museums, concerts for free or will be able to buy books.    

Natalia Gavrilita referred also to the launch of an internship programme in local public administration’s institutions. ‘’We need your contribution, enthusiasm, creativity and innovation, which only young people can prove! We expect you at the Government Building with open arms,’’ the prime minister stressed.    

For his part, Ambassador of the European Union in Chisinau Janis Mazeiks reiterated the EU’s openness to finance programmes for backing young people from Moldova.   

„One of the priorities which stay at the basis of the European Union’s cooperation with its partners from the East is the improvement of the perspectives for the young generation. Along with Moldova, EU is set to create opportunities for young people to study, work and fully participate in the social life, giving them chance to fully carry out their potential,’’ EU Ambassador Mazeiks said at the event.       

„The European Year of Youth was launched following a decision by the European Parliament. Thus, conferences, events, as well as campaigns of informing and promoting young people through the programmes Erasmus+, Creative Europe, DiscoverEU Initiative, etc. will be organized in the EU area throughout the 2022 year.    

Photo: Government