Moldovan localities can compete for title Capital of Sport and receive one million lei for sports activities

Moldovan localities can compete for the title Capital of Sport, awarded as part of a program launched for the first time by the Ministry of Education and Research. The winner of the contest will benefit from funding amounting to one million lei for sports activities during the year.

Applications to participate in the contest can be submitted by local public authorities. The funds granted within the project can be used for mass sports activities, sports festivals, performance sports activities, forums, and any type of events that bring together representatives of sports structures.

Additionally, in the village or city designated as the 'capital of sport', a national championship in an Olympic sport will be organized this year, using local infrastructure.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research Sergiu Gurin said today at a press conference that through this program, the authorities aim to give localities in the country the opportunity to become examples of best practices in the sports development and community involvement.


'We are launching for the first time a program that will support sport for all or mass sport. This initiative is our firm commitment to leverage the sports potential of local communities and promote a healthy lifestyle for citizens of all ages. We want to inspire children and youth, and support local public authorities in their efforts to create favorable conditions for conducting sports activities within the community. The capital of sport is not just a title, but a concrete commitment. The designated locality will benefit from support of up to one million lei for implementing sports projects and initiatives, thus having the opportunity to become an example of active and attractive communities through sport', emphasized Sergiu Gurin.


He urged mayors and civil society representatives to actively participate, come up with creative proposals, and thus contribute to transforming sport into an engine of cohesion and local development.

According to the head of the Youth and Sports Policy Directorate within the MEC, Marcel Marin, the capital of sport will be designated by the end of May, and subsequently, the planned sports activities will be organized in the winner locality.

The initiative was welcomed by representatives of the National Olympic Committee and those of the Sports for All Federation, who attended the press conference.

According to the Ministry of Education and Research data, in 2018-2024, the number of medals achieved by Moldovan athletes increased from 435 to 713. The record for medals in Olympic sports events was registered in 2024 when our athletes obtained 128 distinctions.