The Agrifood Twinning project focuses on enhancing Moldova's agriculture sector by aligning it with EU standards, particularly in compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The initiative is led by a consortium from Estonia and the Netherlands and targets the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA). The project plays a vital role in modernizing the performance of agricultural administration in the Republic of Moldova, as a basis for a competitive, transparent agricultural sector aligned with European standards.

The overall objective of the project is to support the Republic of Moldova in aligning its agricultural sector with EU standards by strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the MAFI and AIPA. This will facilitate the efficient implementation of agricultural policies, improve financial management, and enhance compliance with EU requirements.
Specific objectives:
• Improve the legal and organizational framework of MAFI and AIPA to align with EU standards and best practices.
• Strengthen MAFI’s capacity to implement and monitor agricultural and rural development policies effectively.
• Enhance AIPA’s administrative and operational capacity to manage financial interventions and payment schemes in compliance with EU accreditation criteria.
• Develop data integration and digital tools to improve decision-making, transparency, and efficiency in agricultural governance.
• Establish mechanisms for fraud prevention, risk management, and compliance with international information security standards (ISO).

By the project’s completion, the following key results will be achieved:
1. Strengthened institutional capacity of MAFI and AIPA to align with EU agricultural policies and standards.
2. Improved legal framework governing agricultural policy implementation and financial management.
3. Enhanced monitoring and evaluation systems for agricultural and rural development policies.
4. Integrated agricultural data management system to support evidence-based decision-making.
5. Upgraded AIPA administrative and operational procedures to comply with EU Paying Agency accreditation criteria.
6. Improved financial control mechanisms, including risk-based verification and post-payment inspections.
7. Development of anti-fraud and corruption prevention measures within AIPA.
8. Capacity-building for staff through training, study visits, and knowledge exchange with EU institutions.
9. Implementation of a compliant information security system for data protection.
10. Harmonisation of Moldova’s subsidy and payment schemes with EU standards.
11. Increased transparency and efficiency in agricultural policy execution and fund management.