Czech Republic supports implementation of RESTART reform

The Czech Republic will support the implementation of the RESTART reform, which targets investments to strengthen the social assistance system in our country. This will be possible after the signing today in Chisinau of Amendment No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic, and the Czech Development Agency on the implementation of the project Support for the implementation of the RESTART reform in the Republic of Moldova, within the development cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Moldova.

The document was signed during the High-Level Conference on Social Rights – European Social Charter – by Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova Natalia Plugaru and Czech Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ales Juchelka.

The amendment is technical in nature and aims to update the project documentation by detailing and quantifying the institutional contribution of the Moldovan side.

Through this measure, the continuity of the implementation of the RESTART reform is ensured – one of the most important initiatives to modernize the social assistance system. The project supports the professional training of social workers, the development of social services, the digitisation of processes, and the adoption of European best practices, while also contributing to bringing the Republic of Moldova closer to European Union standards.

Project funding continues to be provided mainly through a non-reimbursable grant offered by the Czech Development Agency. The contribution of the Moldovan side is exclusively institutional, without involving financial transfers or additional allocations from the national public budget. It covers, among other things, costs for premises and utilities, logistical support for trainings, transportation costs for participants, and travel expenses for Czech experts.

Ales Juchelka stated that Czechia and the Republic of Moldova have long been developing a partnership based on professional cooperation, trust, and shared objectives in the field of social policy.

“Our cooperation, which has lasted for over 20 years, has produced concrete results, from supporting home care to implementing reforms in the social sector. The Czech Republic regards the Republic of Moldova as a key partner in the region and actively supports its European path. Social reform, including the ‘Restart’ reform, contributes significantly to the modernization of institutions and alignment with European standards. We appreciate the results achieved so far,” the official said.

 Plugaru expressed her gratitude for the support provided by Czechia to our country.

“We will continue to invest in strengthening the capacity of specialists in the social field in order to improve the quality of services. Following the reform, the number of beneficiaries included in case management has increased from approximately 3,500 to 60,000, without an increase in resources, thanks to reorganization and digitisation,” said Natalia Plugaru.

The Republic of Moldova is hosting, for the first time, the High-Level Conference on Social Rights – European Social Charter. The event is taking place on Thursday, 19 March, in Chisinau, in the context of our country’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.