PHOTO, VIDEO // Launch of the Spring 2026 reforestation campaign in Sculeni: Moldovan, Romanian authorities plant “Green Bridge” over Prut River

The national reforestation campaign, Spring 2026, has been officially launched in Sculeni, on the Romanian bank of the Prut River, during a symbolic event that brought together authorities from Moldova and Romania. The action marks the beginning of the spring planting works and highlights the cooperation between the two states in environmental protection and the expansion of forested areas.

The event was attended by the Environment Minister Moldova Gheorghe Hajder and Romanian Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu, together with representatives of local authorities, forestry specialists and volunteers. The launch of the campaign on the banks of the Prut was deliberately chosen, in order to underline cross-border collaboration and the joint effort to protect nature.

Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder informed that approximately 3,000 hectares of land would be afforested this spring and more than 31 million saplings had been prepared for planting works.

According to the official, the campaign is part of the national reforestation programme,  Forest Generation, which aims to expand and rehabilitate about 145,000 hectares of forest in the coming years.

The minister stressed that Moldova currently had one of the lowest forest cover rates in Europe, at just over 11 per cent, which makes such programmes essential for restoring ecological balance.

“In this spring, we will plant 3,000 hectares of forest and we will use more than 31 million saplings. The programme continues and we aim to reach 145,000 hectares of forested land in the coming years. We all know that the forest cover rate of Moldova is a little over 11 per cent and that is why, these actions are very important for the future of the environment of our country,” said Gheorghe Hajder.

Romanian-Moldovan cooperation for forests' protection

The Romanian Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two states in the forestry sector. She noted that the experience of Moldova in involving local authorities in the reforestation process can serve as a valuable example.

The Romanian official pointed out that Romania has a longer tradition in forests’ management and the forestry sector is currently undergoing a broad reform.

“Romania has a higher level of forest cover, but we also have many things to improve. We are currently undergoing a reform of the National Forest Administration – Romsilva, and some of the good practices can be taken over and adapted in cooperation with Moldova,” said Diana Buzoianu.

The Romanian minister specified that the Bucharest authorities were working on new forestry regulations that take into account climate change and current environmental protection challenges.

At the same time, she emphasized that Romania was analyzing ways to involve local authorities more actively in managing and expanding forested areas, a model that already works in Moldova.

The role of local communities in expanding forests

During the event, officials underlined the importance of involving local communities and mayoralties in the reforestation process.

In Moldova, land designated for planting is largely provided by local public administrations, and the authorities consider this cooperation essential for the success of the national programme.

In Romania, the situation is different, since a large proportion of forests are privately owned, which brings both advantages and challenges in their management and protection.

According to the Romanian minister, the attachment of owners to the forests they hold can contribute to better protection, but managing a large number of owners also represents an administrative challenge.

Forests – a key element in combating climate change

Authorities in both states emphasized that expanding forested areas was one of the most effective measures to combat climate change, protect soil and conserve water resources.

The plantings organized under the Spring 2026 campaign aim not only to create new forests, but also to strengthen a culture of responsibility towards nature.

The event in Sculeni also conveyed a symbolic message: forests know no borders, and environmental protection is a shared responsibility. Through planting actions carried out on both banks of the Prut, Moldova and Romania reaffirm their commitment to building together a greener and safer future for generations to come.

Photo: Mihai Vengher