The EU4Border Security Moldova project supports the efforts of Moldovan national authorities to strengthen border and migration management in line with the Schengen and EU acquis and EU Member States’ best practices. Funded by the European Union, the project works closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other key institutions to improve Moldova’s ability to manage its borders, prevent cross-border crime, and respond to growing security challenges, especially in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The project aims to align Moldova’s border and migration systems with EU standards, strengthen national capacity to combat cross-border crime, and modernise and digitalise institutional frameworks and operational procedures. It will support legal, institutional, and operational reforms, reinforce the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, and promote inter-agency cooperation through improved systems, tools, and training.

Key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project include the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its subordinated structures, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF), the General Carabineer Inspectorate (IGC), the General Inspectorate for Migration, the Academy of Police “Stefan cel Mare”, and the Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance. The final beneficiaries of the action are Moldovan citizens and the population residing in the territory of Moldova, who will benefit from improved border control procedures, law enforcement capacities and abilities in the fight against organised crime, including trafficking in human beings cyber related crimes, migrant smuggling.

Through this action, Moldova will enhance its border security, improve its ability to respond to organised crime, and move closer to EU integration by adopting and implementing European norms and best practices.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the border and migration management capacities of the national authorities in line with the Schengen and EU acquis and EU Member States’ best practices.

The specific objectives of the project are:
SO1 – Law Enforcement in the field of border management is further aligned with Schengen/EU acquis and good practice;
SO2 – National capacities in integrated border management, prevention and investigation of cross-border crime are improved;
SO3 – Modernisation of border/migration management capacities are reinforced.

The outputs to be delivered by the project contributing to the corresponding specific objectives (outcomes) are:
Component 1:
OP1.1 – An assessment, monitoring and reporting mechanism contributing to the approximation with Schengen/EU acquis is in place and upgraded.
OP1.2 – Progress in the alignment with Schengen/EU acquis at legislative, institutional and/or operational level is made.

Component 2:
OP2.1 – The organisational setting (including HR, asset management and equipment) of law enforcement agencies involved in IBM and their cooperation is reinforced.
OP2.2 – Operational and analytical capacities in the fight of organised crime are strengthened.

Component 3:
OP3.1– Policy, operational and training frameworks and capacities supporting modernised and digitised border/migration management processes are improved.
OP3.2 – Moldova’s technical capabilities to develop and modernise/digitalise border/migration management, in line with IBM and data protection, are reinforced.