Moldova Partnership Landscape Assessment

The Moldova Partnership Landscape Assessment aims to examine the multifaceted ecosystem of partnerships, focusing on the efficacy and potential to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The Moldovan partnership ecosystem is distinctly multi-stakeholder and collaborative, incorporating government and UN agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia. Moldova is strategically leveraging these partnerships with a unified recognition that attaining the 2030 Agenda is contingent upon synergized efforts from all societal sectors.

The report identifies engagement with the private sector as the essential focal point, recognizing that it presents more challenges and is less explored, but its potential as a catalyst in the realization of SDGs in Moldova is significant. The emphasis is also on the integration and collaboration with academia.

UN Moldova faces a number of challenges in fostering partnerships with the private sector due to a scarcity of companies prepared and eligible for partnerships and the prevailing economic and geopolitical context that emphasizes companies’ focus on their bottom line. However, Moldova’s aspirations for EU accession and the evolving EU legislative landscape provide a conducive environment for integrating corporate responsibility and sustainability within its private sector.

The identified core problem in engaging the private sector is in finding appropriate ways to spark of interest and motivation in smaller companies to adopt sustainable practices without the allure of immediate, sizable profit opportunities. There is a critical need for innovative approaches and strategies to harmonize business interests with societal and environmental objectives in such a complex landscape.

To navigate the identified challenges and hasten the attainment of the SDGs, the report advocates for:

• Leveraging Moldova’s EU accession aspirations, the increasing role of EU markets as destination for Moldovan exports and recent advancements in the EU supply chain due diligence legislation.

• Targeting specific segments of the private sector to shape a community of sustainability-minded entrepreneurs.

• Using online/mobile platforms for wider reach and engagement.

• Exploring various opportunity areas related to the increasing pressure on targeted companies to align with more sustainable and responsible business practices.

The recommendations provide insights for shaping the future partnership landscape in Moldova, aiming to align economic growth with the realization of SDGs. It emphasizes the role of innovative and collaborative approaches in ensuring a harmonious blend of corporate responsibility and sustainable development.