Thirty-three local development projects will receive funding from the state budget through the Diaspora at Home Succeeds DAR 1+3 Programme, 2026 edition. The list of projects was approved by the government today.

The DAR 1+3 Programme is a cooperation mechanism between the government, local public authorities, the Diaspora and development partners, through which financial resources are mobilized for the implementation of community-interest projects. The government’s contribution for each project is up to 350,000 lei, while local public authorities and the Diaspora each contribute at least 10 per cent of the total value of the project.

The projects selected for funding target the modernization and development of local infrastructure, the expansion of street lighting systems, energy efficiency measures, the purchase of equipment, the renovation of education and cultural institutions, as well as the development of water supply and sewerage networks.

Thus, in Gangura commune, the water supply infrastructure will be modernized; in Carbuna and Capaclia, photovoltaic systems will be installed, in order to ensure the sustainable operation of artesian wells; and in Geamana, a biomass-fired heating plant will be built for the gymnasium. Additionally, in Sipoteni, solar panels will be installed on the roof of the “Prichindel” kindergarten, while in localities, such as Filipeni, Darcauti, Prepelita, and Vadul lui Isac, local roads and access ways will be rehabilitated.

Other projects focus on community spaces and accessibility, including the construction of a safe access route to the Community Centre in Pelinia, the renovation of the village library in Puhoi and the development of a mini-football field in the village of Cioara.

The Diaspora at Home Succeeds DAR 1+3 Programme is implemented through the Diaspora Relations Bureau and aims to strengthen cooperation between the government and the Diaspora. The programme gives local public authorities the opportunity to implement development projects, in partnership with Diaspora associations, hometown associations and initiative groups of citizens settled abroad or returned to Moldova.

Twenty educational institutions from different regions of Moldova will receive investments for renovation, equipment and modernization. At a today’s meeting, the government approved the signing of the Financing Agreement between the Moldova and the European Investment Bank for the Rehabilitation of Modernization of Schools in Moldova project.

The selected institutions are part of the network of 90 model schools and will benefit from major renovation works, modernization of educational spaces, equipping of laboratories and development of digital infrastructure, in order to provide better learning conditions for students and teaching staff.

The 20 institutions included in this stage of the project are: Republican Theoretical Lyceum “Ion Creangă” in the municipality of Bălți; Theoretical Lyceum “Vasile Alecsandri” in Colibași, Cahul; “Galata” Gymnasium; Gymnasium no. 86; Theoretical Lyceum “Mihai Marinciuc”; Gymnasium “Nicolae H. Costin”; Gymnasium “Decebal”; Theoretical Lyceum with Sports Profile “Gloria”; Theoretical Lyceum “Petru Zadnipru”; and Theoretical Lyceum “Ștefan cel Mare” in the municipality of Chișinău; Theoretical Lyceum “Nicolae Bălcescu” in Ciorescu; Theoretical Lyceum “Hyperion” in Gura Galbenă, Cimișlia; Theoretical Lyceum Balatina in Glodeni; Theoretical Lyceum Lăpușna in Hîncești; Theoretical Lyceum “Boris Cazacu” in Nisporeni; Gymnasium “Gheorghe Rîșcanu” in Rîșcani; Theoretical Lyceum “Ion Creangă” in Rădoaia, Sîngerei; Theoretical Lyceum “Constantin Stere” in Soroca; Theoretical Lyceum “Lucian Blaga” in Telenești; and Theoretical Lyceum “Mihai Eminescu” in Ungheni.

The total value of investments earmarked for the 20 schools is 50 million euros. The project will be financed through a package that includes 40 million euros in a loan provided by the European Investment Bank on favorable terms, a grant of 2 million euros awarded through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform, and a contribution of 8 million euros from the Growth Plan supported by the European Union.

In the selected schools, buildings and educational spaces will be renovated; classrooms will be arranged and equipped with ergonomic furniture and digital technology; physics, chemistry, biology, and IT laboratories will be modernized; and libraries will be transformed into educational resource centers with access to digital content. The project also provides for improving internet connectivity, arranging recreational areas and green spaces, as well as creating the necessary conditions for the inclusion of students with special educational needs.

“The project represents one of the most extensive investments in educational infrastructure in recent years and will contribute to transforming model schools into modern educational centers, capable of providing quality learning opportunities for thousands of students across the country,” said Minister Dan Perciun.

The Model Schools Network is an initiative launched by the Education and Research Ministry, in order to create, in every district of the country, modern, attractive educational institutions that are aligned with European standards.

The government today approved a package of measures that strengthens the security of natural gas supply for consumers on both banks of the Dniester River, by increasing security stocks for the right bank and introducing an obligation to create stocks for consumers of the Transnistrian region.

In this regard, the cabinet of ministers issued a favorable opinion on the amendment of the Law on Natural gas. The new provisions establish that the entity responsible for supplying natural gas to consumers in the Transnistrian region will be required to create and maintain natural gas stocks equivalent to at least 15 per cent of the average annual consumption of end consumers from the region, calculated based on the consumption recorded over the last five years.

It is also important that, when calculating this volume, only the consumption intended for the own needs of consumers of the Transnistrian region will be taken into account. The gas consumption used for the production of electricity delivered outside the region will not be included.

At the same time, the new legislative amendments will allow the storage obligation for the Transnistrian region to be delegated to licensed gas traders or suppliers of Moldova, from EU member states, or from other Energy Community states.

The National Energy Regulatory Agency has recently extended until December 31, 2026 the designation of JSC Moldovagaz as the entity responsible for supplying natural gas to the Transnistrian region, in order to ensure continuity of deliveries and to strengthen energy security in the region.

Additionally, the government today approved the increase in natural gas security stocks for the right bank of Moldova. The minimum mandatory volume will increase by almost 6.5 million m³, from 50 million m³ to 56.3 million m³ for the 2026–2027 cold season.

The increase is driven by the higher actual consumption recorded in the winter of 2025–2026, with the new volume set in accordance with Law No. 108/2016 on Natural Gas. Under the law, security stocks are formed in a quantity equal to the natural gas consumption for at least 10 days, one day of consumption being equivalent to the average daily consumption for the previous calendar winter period. The new volume is to be created by JSC Energocom by October 1, 2026.

It should be noted that Moldova does not have its own natural gas storage capacities, and strategic reserves are kept in storage facilities of Romania, Ukraine and other states of the European Union and the Energy Community. These stocks represent a safety reserve equivalent to approximately 10 days of consumption on the winter period.

Security stocks are different from commercial stocks and can be used only in exceptional situations, by decision of the competent authorities. In the 2025–2026 cold season, commercial stocks were used to cover consumption peaks, without the need to use security reserves.

The draft fiscal policy for 2027 today was published for public consultation. The objective of the new fiscal policy is for every working citizen to earn more and for every entrepreneur to be able to invest more in the country’s economic development.

The document lays the foundation for a simpler, more convenient tax system, with fewer taxes, more competitive and easier to administer. The burden on the competitiveness of domestic companies will be lower and the potential for tax evasion will be reduced.

The main proposed measures include:

Reducing the number of existing tax regimes and lowering the tax burden on wages. In the first stage, the personal income tax rate is reduced from 12 to 7 per cent for annual incomes below 1 million lei and becomes 15 per cent for those with annual incomes above 1 million lei.

Legal employment will be supported: The personal allowance will be transformed into a direct monthly payment of up to 500 lei (an increase of at least 200 lei/month) for all those who work legally and have minor children.

Applying a zero rate to reinvested (undistributed) profit, while the income tax rate at the time of distribution becomes 15 per cent, thus encouraging investment in economic development.

Standardized and quickly refunded value added tax (VAT): The standard rate remains 20 per cent, but exemptions are removed, which will facilitate monthly, full and automated refunds of accumulated VAT.

Refunding excise duty for diesel fuel used in agriculture, from the effective rate gradually increasing up to the minimum allowed in the EU, in order to stimulate competitiveness. At the same time, new excise duties are introduced on vices or polluting activities, such as liquids for electronic cigarettes, carbonated drinks with sugar or sweeteners, as well as fireworks.

Eliminating sectoral limitations for the freelance regime: the possibility of independent entrepreneurship (freelancing) is extended to any economic activities, with a 15-per cent tax rate for incomes up to 1 million lei and 30 per cent for incomes above 1 million lei.

Capping local taxes that entail risks of abuse: property tax is capped at 1 per cent of the value of the asset and local turnover-based taxes applied to companies are capped at 3 per cent.

By not taxing reinvested profit, standardizing VAT and eliminating unjustified tax facilities, investments will be encouraged and tax evasion and inequities will be reduced. The new provisions are expected to reduce the budget deficit by about 6 billion lei in 2027, thereby lowering the future burden on all citizens. The collection of additional budget revenues must not affect the most vulnerable population and the additional measures will ensure that everyone who works will earn more.

“We aim for a simpler system – whatever is simpler usually works better – a fairer, more transparent system that stimulates work and investment. We will consult with the business community, with non-governmental organizations, and we are consulting with the International Monetary Fund, which agrees with the approach of the Finance Ministry,” emphasized Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.

The draft will be subject to public consultation until 19 June 2026. The proposals and recommendations of interested sides will be examined and taken into account in the process of finalizing the document.

The 2027 fiscal policy is to be implemented in three stages: October 2026 – food products, public catering, eCommerce; January 2027 – medicines, cars, accommodation; April 2027 – energy resources. The new Fiscal Code is to be drafted during 2026–2027 and is expected to be promoted in 2028.