Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova
Date: 2024-10-09
Institutions: Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission
Subjects: EU financial instrument, Moldova, economic convergence, economic growth, economic integration, economic reform, enlargement of the Union, financial aid, investment, regional integration

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   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 9.10.2024  COM(2024) 469 final 2024/0258 (COD)  Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova    
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The European Union’s  (EU) enlargement policy  remains  of  central  importance to  safeguard 
and promote a peaceful, stable, strong and united Europe. Russia’s war of aggression against 
Ukraine  confirms  the  need  for  a  determined  geostrategic  investment.  The  Republic  of 
Moldova’s (hereafter “Moldova”) EU membership is in the Union’s political, economic and 
security  interest.  It  is  a  direct  response  to  the  European  aspirations  of  Moldovan  people, 
improving  their  economic  and  social  livelihood,  and  contributing  to  a  safer,  peaceful  and 
more prosperous future. 

Moldova  started  its  socio-economic  convergence  with  the  EU  in  2014,  with  the  provisional 
entry into force of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive 
Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Through the Economic and Investment Plan (EIP) for the Eastern 
Partnership,  the  EU,  in  cooperation  with  international  financial  institutions,  has  already 
mobilised EUR 1.6 billion of public and private investments in flagship projects for Moldova. 
The EIP has prompted investments in critical sectors such as connectivity, energy efficiency, 
business  development,  and  competitiveness  sectors.  In  2022,  the  EU  accession  perspective 
provided Moldova an impetus to undertake structural reforms and accelerate alignment with 
the EU acquis in particular in the area of the fundamentals including rule of law, in order to 
gain  early  access  to  the  single  market.    However,  the  country’s  ability  to  reinvigorate  its 
economic  growth,  and  to  advance  with  the  necessary  socio-economic  reforms  was  heavily 
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and social burden as a consequence 
of  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine,  and  its  attempts  to  destabilise  the  country 
through  disinformation  campaigns,  as  well  as  energy  and  economic  coercion.  One  of  the 
poorest  countries  in  the  region,  the  Moldovan  Gross  Domestic  Product  (GDP)  per  capita 
remains at 29% of the EU average, indicating a significant convergence gap with the EU. At 
the current rate of economic growth and the slow rate of convergence, the country will be held 
back  from  rapid  progress  on  its  EU  path  without  further  decisive  political  and  economic 
support.   

The EU has recognised the importance of supporting Western Balkan partners with the new 
Growth  Plan  for  the  Western  Balkans  that  was  put  forward  in  2023.  With  the  dedicated 
Facility for Ukraine, the EU demonstrated its unwavering support to the country. The Western 
Balkans Growth Plan was put in place to assist those countries in tackling the challenges of 
convergence  with  the  EU  and  to  help  accelerate  their  accession  process.  The  proposed 
financial  assistance  came  in  addition  to  the  existing  financial  support.  In  order  to  provide  a 
new and comparable impetus to Moldova’s economy and society, the Commission is putting 
forward  the  Moldova  Growth  Plan  (laid  out  in  detail  in  an  accompanying  Commission 
Communication).  It  will  incentivise  the  reforms  and  investments  needed  to  accelerate  the 
accession process and boost the growth of Moldova’s economy to the benefit of its people.  

The Moldova Growth Plan is based on three pillars: 

– 

– 

– 

Accelerating socio-economic and fundamental reforms; 

Enhancing access to the European Union’s Single Market;   

Increasing  financial  assistance  through  a  dedicated  Reform  and  Growth 
Facility for Moldova (here after “Facility”). 

Mutually  reinforcing  and  building  on  the  results  of  the  reform  process  in  line  with  the 
Association  Agreement/DCFTA  and  the  EIP,  these  three  pillars  address  the  underlying 
structural  causes  of  low  economic  growth,  in  order  to  deliver  socio-economic  benefits  of 

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integration ahead of EU accession. This regulation focuses on the third pillar of the Moldova 
Growth Plan.  

The proposed Facility is closely modelled on the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western 
Balkans1. 

Serving as the centrepiece of the Growth Plan, the Facility will introduce strong conditionality 
as  disbursements  of  EU  funding  will  be  conditional  upon  progress  achieved  in  the 
implementation  of  reforms,  in  particular  enhancing  socio-economic  convergence  and 
competitiveness, as well as in the area of the fundamentals.  

The Facility will be financed from the EUR  420 million of bilateral allocations foreseen for 
Moldova  in  the  Neighbourhood,  Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  – 
Global Europe (NDICI-GE) budget covering the period 2025-2027.  

In 2025-2027, the maximum resources made available to Moldova through the Facility will be 
EUR  1  785  million  (in  current  prices).  This  amount  combines  up  to  EUR  1  500  million  in 
concessional  loans  and  EUR  285  million  of  non-repayable  financial  support.  On  top  of  the 
maximum  amount  available  for  disbursements  to  Moldova,  referred  to  above,  EUR  135 
million will be set aside in the Common Provisioning Fund to provision the loans. 

The  non  repayable  support  will  cover  support  provided  by  the  Union  for  projects  approved 
under  the  Neighbourhood  Investment  Platform  (NIP),  one  of  the  regional  investment 
platforms  referred  to  in  Article  32  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/947,  as  well  as  complementary 
support. This  complementary support  will include support to  civil  society organisations  and 
technical assistance, which will facilitate the implementation of reforms and Moldova’s path 
to EU accession.  

In addition, the Facility is expected to mobilise up to EUR 2 500 million of new investments 
from  the  international  financial  institutions  and  the  private  sector.  Similarly  to  the  Western 
Balkans  Investment  Framework,  the  NIP  will  be  the  main  vehicle  in  implementing 
investments.  The  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  (EIP)  for  the  Eastern  Partnership 
prompted the core investments which will be  further pursued under the Growth  Plan. These 
investments  will  be  channelled  to  sectors  that  are  key  multipliers  for  socio-economic 
development:  connectivity,  including  suistainable  transport,  energy,  green  and  digital 
transitions,  education  and  skills  development.  Implementation  will  be  carried  out  in 
cooperation  with  international  financial  institutions  and  EU  Member  States  development 
banks and attract additional investments, including from the private sector. 

To fully benefit from the opportunities set out in the Growth Plan, Moldova will be expected 
to  prepare  a  Reform  Agenda,  setting  out  the  key  setting  out  the  key  socio-economic  and 
fundamental  reforms  that  the  country  intends  to  undertake  in  2025-2027  to  accelerate  its 
convergence with the EU. The Commission will assess and endorse the Agenda. 

The  Reform  Agenda,  will  be  consistent  with  the  country’s  growth  strategy  and  address 
structural defficiencies in the country’s sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.2  

As  a  minimum,  25%  of  the  amount  made  available  through  highly  concessional  loans  to 
Moldova’s budget will be gradually allocated to the NIP to ensure implementation of the core 
investments. This will come in addition to the NIP’s non-repayable support, as   part of the 
bilateral allocation.   

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Regulation  (EU)  2024/1449  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  14  May  2024  on 
establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans 

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the  European  Commission,  Moldova  and  other 

Similarly to the Western Balkans Growth Plan, the new Facility will be implemented through 
delivery  mechanisms  that  have  been  selected  to  maximise  fast  achievement  of  reforms  and 
related investments, while maintaining necessary controls and minimising the administrative 
burden  for 
implementing  partners. 
Channelling  funds  for  investments  through  the  NIP  will  provide  additional  reassurance 
against  fiduciary  risks,  given  that  the  NIP  has  well  established  financial  control  systems 
relying also on the pillar-assessed control standards of the implementing financial institutions. 
The  NIP  provides  a  single  cooperation  framework  among  the  Commission,  EU  Member 
States’ bilateral donors and financial institutions. All investments will be based on the ‘do no 
significant  harm’  and  ‘leave  no  one  behind’  principles  and  will  contribute  to  the  broader 
objective  of  helping  the  region  transition  towards  a  green,  climate-neutral,  climate-resilient, 
digital and inclusive economy aligned with EU rules and standards.   

Direct  disbursements  to  the  national  budget  and  making  funds  available  for  investment 
proposals will depend on the progress made in the implementation of reforms and by meeting 
the payment conditions set out in the Reform Agenda. Payment conditions shall include a set 
of qualitative and quantitative steps and timeframe for disbursements. 

Macrofinancial  stability,  sound  public  financial  management,  transparency  and  oversight  of 
the budget are general conditions that need to be met for payments to be released.  

Payments  will  occur  according  to  a  fixed  semi-annual  schedule,  based  on  duly  justified 
requests  submitted  by  Moldova,  and  following  verification  by  the  Commission  that  the 
relevant payment conditions have been met. If the payment conditions have not been met, the 
Commission will suspend or deduct a corresponding amount from the payment.  

The disbursement of the corresponding suspended funds may take place during the 12 months 
following  the  original  deadline  set  out  in  the  Reform  Agenda,  provided  that  the  payment 
conditions have been fulfilled in the meantime.  

The implementation of the three pillars  set out in the Growth Plan will strongly support the 
accession process by accelerating Moldova’s alignment with EU values, standards and laws.   

• 

Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area 

Support  under  this  Facility  will  be  consistent  with  and  will  complement  other  forms  of 
bilateral  support  for  Moldova,  as  well  as  regional  support,  provided  through  other  EU 
instruments, in particular NDICI-GE . It will build on the reforms on the EU accession track 
and in line with the Association Agenda. It will also  strengthen current support and allow the 
country to accelerate the implementation of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern 
Partnership  in  Moldova.  To  achieve  its  objectives  and  goals,  special  emphasis  should  be 
placed on sectors that are likely to be key multipliers for the sustainable social and economic 
development such as connectivity, transport, energy, digital transitions, innovation, education 
at all levels and skills development sectors. 

• 

Consistency with other Union policies 

The implementation of the regulation will be consistent with other areas of external action and 
external  policies  (e.g.  enlargement  policy,  neighbourhood  policy,  Common  Foreign  and 
Security  Policy).  The  Facility  will  complement  those  efforts  by  accelerating  Moldova’s 
sustainable socio-economic convergence with the EU in preparation for EU membership. 

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2. 

• 

LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY 

Legal basis 

This proposal is based on Article 212 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 
(TFEU).  It  is  presented  by  the  Commission  in  line  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article 
294 TFEU. 

• 

Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)  

The proposed Facility will support Moldova in converging with the EU in the context of the 
enlargement  policy.  Therefore  the  EU  is  best  placed  to  provide  such  assistance.  Preparing 
Moldova for EU membership is best carried out at EU level. 

Given  the  scale  of  the  assistance  needed,  the  EU  is  in  a  unique  position  to  deliver  external 
assistance to Moldova in the long term in a timely, coordinated and  consistent manner. The 
EU can leverage its borrowing capacity and offer loans to Moldova on advantageous terms, as 
well as provide non-repayable support and guarantees over a multiannual perspective.  

The  EU  Delegation  in  Moldova  can  ensure  comprehensive  access  to  information  on 
developments  affecting  Moldova.  This  allows  the  EU  to  be  constantly  aware  of  new  needs 
and circumstances and adapt its support according to the evolving needs coordinating closely 
with other bilateral or multilateral donors. 

• 

Proportionality 

The  proposal  complies  with  the  proportionality  principle  since  it  does  not  go  beyond  the 
minimum  required  to  achieve  the  stated  objectives  at  the  European  level  and  which  is 
necessary for that purpose.  

The Facility is proposed as a targeted action to support accelerated reforms in a country that 
needs to catch up with the EU to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial enlargement of the 
EU. Its structure relies to the extent possible on the existing support structure (NDICI-Global 
Europe),  and  the  same  funding  models  (e.g.  NIP),  based  on  existing,  but  simplified, 
instruments (performance-based instruments). 

• 

Choice of the instrument 

In line with Article 212 TFEU, which sets out the ordinary legislative procedure to be used to 
adopt measures implementing cooperation with non-EU countries, the proposal is a regulation 
in  order  to  ensure  its  uniform  application,  binding  nature  in  its  entirety,  and  direct 
applicability. 

3. 

• 

RESULTS 
CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

EX-POST 

EVALUATIONS, 

OF 

STAKEHOLDER 

Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation 

Not applicable.  

• 

Stakeholder consultations 

A formal stakeholder consultation could not be carried out due to the urgency of preparing the 
proposal,  so  that  it  can  be  adopted  in  a  timely  manner  by  the  European  Parliament  and  the 
Council to render it operational in 2025. 

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The EU will ensure  appropriate  communication  and visibility around the objectives  and the 
actions delivered within the scope of the Facility, in Moldova, in the EU, and beyond.  

• 

Collection and use of expertise 

Not applicable  

• 

Impact assessment 

An assessment in the form of a Commission staff working document supporting the proposal 
will be prepared within 3 months of the regulation’s adoption. 

• 

Regulatory fitness and simplification 

Not applicable  

• 

Fundamental rights 

A precondition for granting support under the instrument is that Moldova and its institutions 
continue  to  respect  effective  democratic  mechanisms,  including  a  multi-party  parliamentary 
system,  the rule of law, and guarantees the respect  for human rights,  including  the rights of 
persons  belonging  to  minorities.  Moldova’s  commitment  to  reforms  and  the  strong  political 
will  expressed  by  the  authorities  are  positive  signs,  which  were  confirmed  in  the 
Commission’s  assessment  as  outlined  in  its  2023  Communication  on  the  Enlargement 
Package . 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS 

The maximum resources to  be provided through the Facility will be  EUR  1 920 million for 
2025 to 2027 for all types of support, of which EUR 420 million is in non-repayable support, 
including  provisioning,  funded  by  the  bilateral  allocation  for  Moldova  for  2025-2027  under 
NDICI-GE and EUR 1 500 million in concessional loans provided by the EU. 

The loans will be provisioned in the Common Provisioning Fund at the provisioning rate of 
9%.  The provisioning will come from the non-repayable support, which will be sourced from 
the bilateral allocation for Moldova for 2025 to 2027 under NDICI-GE.  

1% of the non-repayable support component (EUR 4.2 million) will be allocated to technical 
and administrative assistance expenditure related to the management of the Facility, including 
monitoring, communication, audit and evaluation.  

5. 

• 

OTHER ELEMENTS 

Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements 

The regulation sets out detailed provisions relating to implementation, monitoring, reporting 
and evaluation.  

The Commission will closely monitor the implementation of the Facility. In full compliance 
with  the  Treaties,  the  Commission  will  work  with  the  European  External  Action  Service 
(EEAS) to implement the Facility and ensure consistency of the EU’s external action.   

Moldova  should  put  in  place  a  monitoring  system,  based  on  criteria  set  out  by  the 
Commission,  and  will  be  expected  to  report  to  the  Commission  annually  on  the 
implementation  of  its  Reform  agenda.  This  will  include  reporting  on  the  progress  made 

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towards achieving the Reform agenda’s stated objectives, on the improvements of its internal 
control  system,  on its  budget  implementation,  and on any amounts unduly paid  or misused, 
and eventually recovered by the EU.  

The  Commission  will  provide  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Committee 
referred to in Article 27 of the Regulation with an annual assessment of the implementation of 
fundings provided under the Facility. 

The Commission will also carry out an ex-post evaluation of the regulation. 

• 

Explanatory documents (for directives) 

Not applicable  

• 

Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal 

The  regulation  sets  out  detailed  provisions  on  implementation,  monitoring,  reporting  and 
evaluation.  

Implementation under the instrument shall take place under the forms and the implementing 
methods set out in the Financial Regulation.  

The Commission will closely monitor the implementation of the Facility. In full compliance 
with  the  Treaties,  the  Commission  will  work  with  the  European  External  Action  Service 
(EEAS) to the implement the Facility and ensure consistency of the EU’s external action.   

Moldova  should  put  in  place  a  monitoring  system  based  on  criteria  set  out  by  the 
Commission,  and  will  be  expected  to  report  to  the  Commission  annually  on  the 
implementation  of  its  Reform  Agenda.  This  will  include  reporting  on  the  progress  made 
towards achieving the Agenda’s stated objectives, on the improvements of its internal control 
system,  on  its  budget  implementation,  and  on  any  amounts  unduly  paid  or  misused,  and 
eventually recovered by the EU.  

The  Commission  will  provide  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Committee 
referred to in Article 27 of the Regulation with an annual assessment of the implementation of 
fundings provided under the Facility. 

The Commission will also carry out an ex-post evaluation of the regulation. 

• 

Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal 

The regulation establishes the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova.  

Chapter  I  (General  provisions)  covers  the  subject  matter  of  the  Facility  (Article 1),  the 
definitions  (Article 2),  the  general  and  specific  objectives  of  the  Facility  (Article 3),  the 
general principles (Article 4) and the preconditions for support (Article 5).  

Chapter II sets out the financing and implementation modalities of the Facility. Article 6 sets 
out the Implementation of the Facility in the form of non-repayable financial support (funded 
by the bilateral  allocation for Moldova for 2025-2027  under  NDICI-GE)  and the support in 
the form of loans. Article 7 describes the eligibility of persons and entities. Article 8 covers 
the Facility agreement to be concluded between the Commission and Moldova laying down in 
particular  the  audit  and  control  provisions,  as  well  as  the  obligations  and  conditions  for  the 
disbursement of payments.   

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Chapter  III  (Reform  agenda)  details  the  requirements  and  basis  for  the  formulation  of  the 
Reform agenda (Article 9) and the principles for financing, including the payment conditions 
for  disbursements  (Article 10).  Article 11  details  the  content  of  the  Reform  agenda  to  be 
submitted by Moldova, the procedure for doing so, and the elements that the Reform agenda 
should contain, including reforms and investment areas to be financed by the Facility, and the 
systems  to  prevent,  detect  and  correct  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of 
interests, when using the funds provided under the Facility.  

The  Commission  will  assess  the  Reform  agenda  according  to  the  criteria  laid  out  in 
Article 12.  It  will  adopt  an  implementing  decision  as  described  in  Article 13  setting  out  the 
indicative amount of the loan support to be disbursed if the payment conditions and timeframe 
have  been  met,  as  well  as  the  pre-financing  for  which  Moldova  will  be  eligible.  Article 14  
allows  Moldova  to  propose  an  amended  Reform  agenda  and  request  the  Commission  to 
amend its implementing decision. 

Article 15  covers  the  loan  agreements  to  be  concluded  between  the  Commission  and 
Moldova, and the rules governing the borrowing by the Commission on the markets. Article 
16 sets outs the dispositions taken concerning provisioning. The rules for the payment of pre-
financing to Moldova, which is dependent on Moldova meeting the preconditions described in 
Article 5,  are  laid  out  in  Article 17.  Article  18  describes  projects  under  Neighbourhood 
Investment Platform. Article 19 details the procedure for the disbursements once both general 
conditions on macro-financial stability, sound public financial management, transparency and 
budgetaryoversight and payment conditions set out in the Reform Agenda have been met.  

Payments  will  take  place  on  a  semi-annual  basis,  following  Moldova’s  submission  of  a 
request to release the funds after having satisfactorily met the relevant payment conditions in 
the  form  of  qualitative  and  quantitative  steps  to  be  undertaken.  In  case  of  a  negative 
assessment by the Commission, a part of the amount corresponding to the payment conditions 
that  have  not  been  met  will  be  withheld.  The  withheld  funds  can  only  be  released  once 
Moldova has duly justified, as part of the subsequent request to release funds, that it has taken 
the  necessary  measures  to  ensure  the  relevant  payment  conditions  have  been  satisfactorily 
met. Article 19 also sets out that no amount will be paid for qualitative or quantitative steps 
that  have  not  been  met  31  December  2028  while  it  authorises  the  Commission  to  reduce 
amounts if the EU’s financial interests are affected or if Moldova is in serious breach of an 
obligation  in  the  agreements  concluded  under  the  Facility.  Article 20  sets  out  the  rules 
governing  transparency  for  persons  and  entities  receiving  funding  to  implement  the  Reform 
agenda. 

Chapter  IV  (Protection  of  the  EU’s  financial  interests)  lays  down  the  provisions  to  be 
followed  by  the  Commission  and  Moldova  to  ensure  effective  controls  over  the 
implementation  of  the  Facility.  Article 21  sets  out  the  obligations  to  be  reflected  in  the 
Facility agreement. These include appropriate measures to prevent, detect and correct fraud, 
corruption,  conflicts  of  interests  and  irregularities  affecting  the  EU’s  financial  interests  ;  
avoid  double  funding;  take  legal  action  to  recover  funds  that  have  been  misappropriated; 
collect adequate data on the recipients of funds under the Facility; and set out the rights to be 
granted  to  the  Commission,  the  European  Anti-Fraud  Office  (OLAF),  and  the  European 
Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Article 21 grants the Commission the power to reduce or 
recover amounts if the EU’s financial interests are affected, in case of a reversal of qualitative 
or quantitative steps, or if Moldova is in a serious breach of an obligation stemming from the 
agreements concluded under the Facility. Article 22 sets out the provisions for internal control 
systems of Moldova.  

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Chapter  VI  (Monitoring,  reporting  and  evaluation)  sets  out  the  indicators  and  results  to  be 
used in monitoring and evaluation (Article 23), the establishment of a scoreboard (article 24,, 
the ex-post evaluation of the Facility (Article 25) and the reporting by Moldova in the context 
of the Economic and Financial Dialogue (Article 26). 

Chapter  VII  (Final  provisions)  lays  down  the  comitology  procedure  (Article 27),  the 
provisions on information, communication and publicity (Article 28) and on entry into force 
(Article 29). 

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2024/0258 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova  

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 212 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

The  Union  is  founded  on  the  values  referred  to  in  Article  2  of  the  Treaty  on  the 
European  Union  (TEU),  which  include  democracy,  the  rule  of  law  and  respect  for 
human  rights.  Those  values  form  part  of  the  accession  criteria  established  at  the 
Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 (‘Copenhagen criteria’), which constitute 
the conditions of eligibility for the Union membership, 

The  enlargement  process 
is  built  on  established  criteria,  fair  and  rigorous 
conditionality and the principle of own merits. A firm commitment to ‘fundamentals 
first’ approach, which requires a strong  focus on the rule of law, fundamental rights, 
the functioning of democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as 
on economic criteria, remains  essential. Progress  depends on   implementation  by the 
Republic of Moldova (hereinafer referred to as ‘Moldova’) of the necessary reforms to 
align with the Union acquis, 

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine further showed that enlargement is a geo-
strategic  investment  in  peace,  security  and  stability.  The  Union  is  fully  and 
unequivocally  committed  to  the  Union  membership  perspective  of  Moldova. 
Moldova’s orientation and commitment towards the Union is a strong expression of its 
strategic choice and place in a community of values. Moldova’s EU path needs to be 
firmly anchored in tangible and concrete progress on reforms, 

It is in the common interest of the Union and Moldova to advance with the reforms its 
political, legal and economic systems with a view to its future Union membership and 
to  support  its  accession  process.  The  prospect  of  Union  membership  has  a  powerful 
transformative effect, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal 
change, 

It is necessary to bring forward some of the advantages of Union membership before 
accession.  Economic  convergence  is  at  the  heart  of  those  benefits.  Currently,  the 
convergence of  Moldova in  terms  of GDP per capita expressed in  purchasing  power 
standards  remains  low  at  29%  of  the  Union  average  and  is  not  progressing  fast 
enough, 

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(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

As  accession  negotiations  with  Moldova  opened  in  June  2024,  it  is  important  that 
support  to  Moldova’s  accession  track  is  brought  to  levels  that  are  comparable  with 
other  candidate  countries  engaged 
to  ensure 
commensurate resources.  

in  accession  negotiations  and 

The implementation of the Growth Plan for Moldova requires the appropriate funding 
under  a  dedicated  new  financing  instrument,  the  Facility  to  assist  the  country  in 
implementing  reforms  for  sustainable  economic  growth  and  advance  on  the 
fundamentals. 

To  achieve  the  goals  of  the  Growth  Plan  for  Moldova,  emphasis  with  respect  to 
investment  areas  should  be  placed  on  sectors  that  are  likely  to  function  as  key 
multipliers for social  and economic development: connectivity, including  sustainable 
transport, decarbonisation, energy, green and digital transitions, as well as education, 
labour market participation and skills development, with a particular focus on youth. 

The  Facility  should  build  on  the  Association  Agenda  with  Moldova  as  well  as  the 
work  of  the  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  for  the  Eastern  Partnership  in  Moldova 
which  spearheaded  investments  in  critical  sectors  such  as  connectivity,  energy 
efficiency, business development, and competitiveness. 

(10)  Sustainable  transport  infrastructure  is  essential  to  improve  connectivity  between 
Moldova  and  the  Union.  It  should  contribute  to  the  integration  of  Moldova  in  the 
Union’s transport network  In the revised trans-European transport network (TEN-T), 
the  Commission  extended  the  Baltic  Sea  –  Black  Sea  –  Aegean  Sea  European 
Transport  Corridor  to  Moldova.  The  TEN-T  network  is  the  reference  for  funding 
sustainable  transport  infrastructure,  including  for  environmentally  friendly  means  of 
transport, such as railways as well as digitalisation of transport. 

(11)  The Facility should support investments and reforms that promote Moldova’s path to 
the digital transformation of the economy and society in line with the Union vision for 
2030  presented  in  the  Commission  communication,  entitled  ‘2030  Digital  Compass: 
the European way for the Digital Decade’, fostering an inclusive digital economy that 
benefits all citizens. The Facility should strive to  facilitate Moldova’ achievement of 
the general objectives and digital targets with regard to the Union. As outlined by the 
Commission  in  its  communication  of  15  June  2023,  entitled  ‘Implementation  of  the 
5G cybersecurity Toolbox’, the 5G cybersecurity Toolbox should be the reference for 
Union  funding  to  ensure  security,  resilience  and  the  protection  of  integrity  of  digital 
infrastructure projects in the region. 

(12)  The  support  under  the  Facility  should  be  provided  to  meet  general  and  specific 
objectives,  based  on  established  criteria  and  with  clear  payment  conditions.  Those 
general  and  specific  objectives  should  be  pursued  in  a  mutually  reinforcing  manner. 
The  Facility  should  support  the  enlargement  process  by  accelerating  the  alignment 
with Union values, laws, rules, standards, policies and practices (‘acquis’) with a view 
to  Union  membership,  accelerate  progressive  integration  of  Moldova  in  the  Union 
single  market,  and  accelerate  its  socio-economic  convergence  with  the  Union.  The 
Facility should also foster good neighbourly relations. 

(13) 

In  addition  to  boosting  socio-economic  convergence,  the  Facility  should  also  help 
accelerate  reforms  related  to  the  fundamentals  of  the  enlargement  process  including 
rule of law, fundamental rights, inter alia, the rights of refugees, of persons belonging 
to minorities, including national minorities and Roma, as well as the rights of lesbian, 
gay,  bisexual,  transgender  and  intersex  (LGBTI)  persons.  It  should  also  improve  the 

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functioning of democratic institutions and public administrations; public procurement, 
state  aid  control  and  public  finance  management;  the  fight  against  all  forms  of 
corruption and organised crime; quality education and training as well as employment 
policies; the country’s green transition, climate and environmental objectives. 

(14)  This Facility should help Moldova in its preparation for Union Membership and in line 

with the existing enlargement methodology3.  

(15)  The  Facility  should  complement  the  existing  Economic  and  Financial  Dialogue 
without  compromising  its  scope,  thereby  enhancing  economic  integration  and 
preparation for the Union’s multilateral surveillance of economic policies. 

(16)  The  Facility  should  promote  the  development  of  effectiveness  principles,  respecting 
additionality  to  and  complementarity  with  the  support  provided  under  other  Union 
programmes  and  instruments  and  striving  to  avoid  duplication  and  ensure  synergies 
between  assistance  under  this  Regulation  and  other  assistance,  including  integrated 
financial packages composed of both  export and  development  financing  provided by 
the Union, the Member States, third countries, multilateral and regional organisations 
and entities. 

(17) 

In  line  with  the  principle  of  inclusive  partnerships,  the  Commission  should  strive  to 
ensure  that  relevant  stakeholders  in  Moldova,  including  social  partners  and  civil 
society  organisations  are  duly  consulted  and  have  timely  access  to  relevant 
information  to  allow  them  to  play  a  meaningful  role  during  the  design  and 
implementation of programmes and the related monitoring processes. 

(18)  Technical  assistance,  as  well  as  cross-border  cooperation  assistance,  should  be 
provided  in  support  of  the  objectives  of  this  Facility  and  in  order  to  strengthen  the 
relevant capacities of Moldova to implement the Reform Agenda. 

(19)  The Facility should ensure consistency with, and support for the general objectives of 
Union external action as laid down in Article 21 of the TEU, including the respect for 
fundamental rights as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European 
Union.  It  should  in  particular  ensure  the  protection  and  promotion  of  human  rights, 
and the rule of law. 

(20)  The  Facility  should  boost  innovation,  research,  and  cooperation  between  academic 
institutions and industry in support of the green and digital transitions, promoting local 
industries with a particular emphasis on locally based micro, small and medium-sized 
enterprises and start-ups; 

(21)  Moldova  should  demonstrate  a  credible  commitment  to  European  values,  including 
through  its  alignment  with  the  Union’s  Common  Foreign  and  Security  Policy, 
including Union restrictive measures. 

(22) 

In the implementation of the Facility, account should be taken of the Union’s strategic 
autonomy  as  well  as  of  the  Union  and  its  Member  States’  strategic  interests  and  the 
values on which the Union is founded. 

(23)  Activities  under  the  Facility  should  support  progress  towards  Union  social,  climate 
and  environmental  standards,  and  support  progress  towards  the  United  Nations 
Sustainable  Development  Goals,  the  Paris  Agreement  adopted  under  the  United 
Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change,  the  United  Nations  Convention 
on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 

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and  should  not  contribute  to  environmental  degradation  or  cause  harm  to  the 
environment  or  climate.  Measures  funded  under  the  Facility  should  be  in  line  with 
Moldova’  Energy  and  Climate  Plans,  their  Nationally  Determined  Contribution  and 
ambition  to  reach  climate  neutrality  by  2050.  The  Facility  should  contribute  to  the 
mitigation of climate change and to the ability to adapt to its adverse effects, and foster 
climate  resilience.  In  particular,  funding  under  the  Facility  should  promote  the 
transition  towards  a  decarbonised,  climate-neutral,  climate-resilient  and  circular 
economy. 

(24)  The implementation of this Regulation should be guided by the principles of equality 
and  non-discrimination,  as  elaborated  in  the  Union  of  Equality  strategies.  It  should 
promote  and  advance  gender  equality  and  mainstreaming,  ensure  meaningful 
participation  of  women  in  decision-making  processes,  and  the  empowerment  of 
women and girls, and seek to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights, as well 
as  prevent  and  combat  violence  against  women  and  domestic  violence,  taking  into 
consideration relevant EU Gender Action Plans and relevant Council conclusions and 
international conventions. Furthermore, this Regulation should be implemented in full 
respect  of  the  European  Pillar  of  Social  Rights,  including  on  child  protection  and 
labour  rights.  The  implementation  of  the  Facility  should  be  in  line  with  the  United 
Nations  Convention  on  the  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  and  its  protocol  and 
ensure accessibility in its investments and technical assistance, in line with Directive 
(EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 

(25)  Reflecting the European Green Deal as Europe’s sustainable growth strategy and the 
importance  of  tackling  climate  and  biodiversity  objectives  in  line  with  the 
commitments of the Interinstitutional Agreement, the Facility should contribute to the 
achievement  of  an  overall  target  of  30  %  of  Union  budget  expenditure  supporting 
climate  objectives  and  7,5  %  in  2024  and  10  %  in  2026  and  2027  to  biodiversity 
objectives.  At  least  37  %  of  the  non-repayable  financial  support,  including 
provisioning,  provided  to  investment  projects  approved  under  the  Neighbourhood 
Investment  Platform  (NIP),  one  of  the  regional  investment  platforms  referred  to  in 
Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/9474,  should account  to  climate objectives. That 
amount should be calculated using the Rio markers following the obligation to report 
the  EU’s  international  climate  finance  to  the  OECD,  as  well  as  other  international 
agreements  or  frameworks.  As  early  as  June  2025,  the  EU  climate  coefficients, 
applicable  across  all  programmes  under  the  2021-2027  Multi-annual  Financing 
Framework  (MFF)  and  set  out  in  the  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  entitled 
‘Climate  Mainstreaming  Architecture  in  the  2021-2027  Multiannual  Financial 
Framework’ (SWD(2022) 225), will also be applied to climate expenditure under the 
MFF’s Heading  6 (‘Neighbourhood and the  world’). The  Facility will align with  the 
approach  of  other  Heading  6  instruments,  in  order  to  ensure  consistent  climate 
reporting  in  the  region.  The  Facility  should  support  activities  that  fully  respect  the 
climate and environmental  standards and priorities of the Union and the principle of 
‘do  no  significant  harm’  within  the  meaning  of  Article  17  of  Regulation  (EU) 
2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6). 

(26)  Projects are approved under the NIP after assessment by the Commission and subject 

to a positive opinion by the Member States in the NIP Board. 

4 

Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 
2024 on the  financial rules applicable to the general budget of the  Union, OJ L 239, 26.9.2024, ELI: 
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj. 

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(27)  The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and Moldova, should ensure 
the compliance, coherence, consistency  and complementarity, increased transparency 
and  accountability  in  the  delivery  of  assistance,  including  by  implementing 
appropriate  internal  control  systems  and  anti-fraud  policies.  The  support  under  the 
Facility should be made available under the preconditions that  Moldova upholds and 
respects  effective  democratic  mechanisms,  including  a  multi-party  parliamentary 
system, free and fair elections, pluralistic media, an independent judiciary and the rule 
of law, and to guarantee respect for all human rights obligations, including the rights 
of persons belonging to minorities.  

(28)  The  Facility  should  be  supported  with  resources  from 

the  Neighbourhood, 
Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe amounting to 
EUR  420  million  and  a  maximum  amount  of  EUR  1  500  million  in  loans  for  the 
period  from  2025-2027.  The  amount  should  cover  the  9%  provisioning  required  for 
the  loans  corresponding  to  EUR  135  million,  support  provided  by  the  Union  for 
projects  approved  under  the NIP, as referred to  in  Article 18(2),  and complementary 
support, including support to civil society organisations and technical assistance.  The 
non-repayable  support  should  be  financed  from  the  envelope  allocated  to  the 
Neighbourhood  geographic  programme  under  Article  6(2),  point  (a),  of  Regulation 
(EU) 2021/947. All  provisions  under Regulation  (EU) 2021/947 should apply  unless 
otherwise mentioned in this Regulation. The proposed Facility is closely modelled on 
the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. 

(29)  Decisions  on  the  release  referred  to  in  Article  19(3)  for  the  support  in  the  form  of 
loans should be adopted in the period from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2029. This final 
date  includes  the  time  necessary  for  the  Commission  to  evaluate  the  successful 
fulfilment  of  the  payment  conditions  concerned  and  to  adopt  the  subsequent  release 
decision. 

(30) 

In  order  to  maximise  the  leverage  of  Union  financial  support  to  attract  additional 
investment,  and  to  ensure  Union  control  over  the  expenditure,  the  investments 
supporting the Reform Agenda should be implemented through the NIP. At least 25% 
of  the  loan  amount  released  to  Moldova  should  be  made  available  by  Moldova  to 
investment projects approved under the NIP. This is in addition to the non-repayable 
support provided by the Union for these projects.  

(31)  The  financial  liability  from  loans  under  the  Facility  should  not  constitute  part  of  the 
amount  of  the  External  Action  Guarantee  within  the  meaning  of  Article  31(4)  of 
Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council.  

(32)  Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the 
basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) 
should  apply  to  this  Regulation.  Those  rules  are  laid  down  in  Regulation  (EU, 
Euratom)  2024/2509  and  determine  in  particular  the  procedure  for  establishing  and 
implementing  the  budget  in  direct  and  indirect  management  through  grants, 
procurement,  financial  assistance,  blending  operations  and  the  reimbursement  of 
external experts, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. 

(33)  Restrictions on eligibility in  award procedures  under the  Facility should be provided 
for,  where  appropriate,  given  the  specific  nature  of  the  activity  or  when  the  activity 
affects security or public order. 

(34) 

In  order  to  ensure  the  efficient  implementation  of  the  Facility,  including  the 
facilitation  of  Moldova’  integration  in  European  value  chains,  all  supplies  and 

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materials  financed  and  procured  under  this  Facility  should  originate  from  Member 
States, Moldova, candidate countries and contracting parties to the Agreement on the 
European Economic Area and countries which provide a level of support to Moldova 
comparable  to  the  one  provided  by  the  Union,  taking  into  account  the  size  of  their 
economy,  and  for  which  reciprocal  access  to  external  assistance  in  Moldova  is 
established  by  the  Commission,  unless  the  supplies  and  materials  cannot  be  sourced 
under reasonable conditions in any of those countries. 

(35)  A  Facility  Agreement  should  be  concluded  with  Moldova  to  set  up  the  principles  of 
the  financial  cooperation  between  the  Union  and  Moldova,  and  to  specify  the 
necessary  mechanisms  related  to  the  control,  supervision,  monitoring,  evaluation, 
reporting  and  audit  of  Union  funding  under  the  Facility,  rules  on  taxes,  duties  and 
charges  and  measures  to  prevent,  detect,  investigate  and  correct  irregularities,  fraud, 
corruption  and  conflicts  of  interest.  Consequently,  a  loan  agreement  should  also  be 
concluded  with  Moldova  setting  out  specific  provisions  for  the  management  and 
implementation  of  funding  provided  in  the  forms  of  loans.  Both  the  Facility 
Agreement and the loan agreement should be transmitted to the European Parliament 
and to the Council, upon request. 

(36)  The  Facility  Agreement  should  provide  the  obligation  for  Moldova  to  ensure  the 
collection of, and access to data in compliance with Union data protection principles 
and  with  applicable  data  protection  rules,  adequate  data  on  persons  and  entities 
receiving funding, including beneficial ownership information, for the implementation 
of Reform Agenda.  

(37)  The  implementation  of  the  Facility  should  be  underpinned  by  a  coherent  and 
prioritised  set  of  targeted  reforms  and  investment-related  priorities  in  Moldova  (the 
‘Reform  Agenda’),  providing  a  framework  for  boosting  inclusive  sustainable  socio-
economic  growth,  clearly  articulated  and  aligned  with  Union  accession  requirements 
and the fundamentals of the enlargement process. The Reform Agenda will serve as an 
overarching framework to achieve the objectives of the Facility. The Reform Agenda 
should  be  prepared  in  close  consultation  with  relevant  stakeholders,  including  social 
partners  and  civil  society  organisations  and  their  input  should  be  reflected. 
Disbursement of Union support should be conditional on compliance with the payment 
conditions and on measurable progress in the implementation of reforms set out in the 
Reform  Agenda  assessed  and  formally  approved  by  the  Commission.  The  release  of 
funds should be structured accordingly, reflecting the objectives of the Facility. 

(38)  The Reform Agenda should include targeted reform measures and priority investment 
areas,  along  with  payment  conditions  in  the  form  of  measurable  qualitative  and 
quantitative steps that indicate satisfactory progress or completion of those measures, 
and a timetable for the implementation of those measures. The Reform Agenda should 
also  include  a  preliminary  list  of  planned  investment  projects  intended  for 
implementation under NIP. Those steps should be planned to be implemented for no 
later than 31 December 2027, although it should be possible for the overall completion 
of the measures, to which such steps refer, to extend beyond 2027 but not later than 31 
December  2028.  The  Reform  Agenda  should  include  an  explanation  of  Moldova’s 
system  to  effectively  prevent,  detect  and  correct  irregularities,  corruption,  including 
high-level  corruption,  fraud  and  conflicts  of  interest,  when  using  the  funds  provided 
under the Facility, and the arrangements to avoid double funding from the Facility and 
other Union programmes as well as other donors. 

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(39)  The Reform Agenda should include an explanation on how the measures are expected 
to contribute to the climate and environmental objectives and the principle of ‘do no 
significant harm’, and the digital transformation. 

(40)  Measures under the Reform Agenda should contribute to improving an efficient public 
financial  management  and  control  system,  money  laundering,  tax  avoidance,  tax 
evasion,  fraud  and  organised  crime  and  to  an  effective  system  of  State  aid  control, 
with the aim of ensuring fair conditions for all undertakings.  

(41)  The Reform Agenda should contain a description of such systems as well as specific 
steps  related  to  Chapter  32  in  order  to  support  Moldova  in  bringing  its  audit  and 
controls requirements in line with Union standards. In the event that a request for the 
release of funds includes a step related to Chapter 32, referred to in Article 19(2), the 
Commission  may  not  adopt  a  decision  authorizing  the  release  of  funds  unless  it 
assesses such step positively. 

(42)  The Facility Agreement should also include indicators for assessing progress towards 
the  achievement  of  general  and  specific  objectives  of  the  Facility  set  out  in  this 
Regulation.  Those  indicators  should  be  based  on  internationally  agreed  indicators. 
Indicators  should  also,  to  the  extent  possible,  be  coherent  with  the  key  performance 
indicators  included  in  Commission  Implementing  Decision  approving  the  Reform 
Agendas for the Western Balkans under Regulation (EU) 2024/1449 and in the EFSD+ 
Results  Measurement  Framework.  The  indicators  should  be  relevant,  accepted, 
credible, easy, and robust. 

(43)  The Commission should assess the Reform Agenda based on the list of criteria set out 
in this Regulation. In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this 
Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to approve 
the  Reform  Agenda.  The  Commission  will  duly  take  into  account  Council  decision 
2010/427/EU  (11)  and  the  role  of  the  European  External  Action  Service  (EEAS), 
where appropriate. 

(44)  The  work  programme  within  the  meaning  of  Article  110(2)  of  Regulation  (EU, 
Euratom) 2024/2509 adopted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Regulation 
(EU)  2021/947  should  cover  the  amounts  funded  from  the  envelope  allocated  to  the 
Neighbourhood  geographic  programme  under  Article  6(2),  point  (a),  of  Regulation 
(EU) 2021/947. 

(45)  Given  the  need  for  flexibility  in  the  implementation  of  the  Facility,  it  should  be 
possible  for  Moldova  to  make  a  reasoned  request  to  the  Commission  to  amend  the 
implementing  decision,  where  the  Reform  Agenda,  including  relevant  payment 
conditions,  is  no  longer  achievable,  either  partially  or  totally,  because  of  objective 
circumstances.  Moldova  should  be  able  to  make  a  reasoned  request  to  amend  the 
Reform  Agenda,  including  by  proposing  addenda,  where  relevant.  The  Commission 
should be able to amend the implementing decision. 

(46)  The  Facility  Agreement  should  provide  the  obligation  for  Moldova  to  ensure  the 
collection of, and access to data in compliance with Union data protection principles 
and  with  applicable  data  protection  rules,  adequate  data  on  persons  and  entities 
receiving funding, including beneficial ownership information, for the implementation 
of the Reform Agenda. Financial support for the Reform Agenda should be possible in 
the  form  of  a  loan.  In  the  context  of  Moldova’s  financing  needs,  it  is  appropriate  to 
organise the financial assistance under the diversified funding strategy provided for in 
Article  224of  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  2024/2509  and  established  as  a  single 

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funding  method  therein,  which  is  expected  to  enhance  the  liquidity  of  Union  bonds 
and the attractiveness and cost-effectiveness of Union issuance. 

(47) 

It  is  appropriate  to  provide  loans  to  Moldova  on  highly  concessional  terms  with  a 
maximum duration of 40 years and to not start the repayment of the principal before 
2034.  

(48)  Considering that the financial risks associated with the support to Moldova in the form 
of loans under the Facility is comparable to the financial risks associated with lending 
operations  under  Regulation  (EU)  2021/947,  provisioning  for  the  financial  liability 
from loans under this Regulation should be constituted at the rate of 9 %, in line with 
Article  214  of  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  2024/2509  and  the  funding  of  the 
provisioning  should  be  sourced  from  the  envelope  allocated  to  the  Neighbourhood 
geographic programme under Article 6(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. 

(49) 

(50) 

In order to ensure that Moldova disposes of start-up funding for the implementation of 
the first reforms, it should have access to up to 7 % of the total amount provided for in 
this  Facility,  after  deduction  of  complementary  support,  including  support  to  civil 
society organisations and technical assistance, and provisioning for loans, in the form 
of  a  pre-financing,  subject  to  availability  of  funding  and  to  the  respect  of  the 
preconditions for support under the Facility. 

It  is  important  to  guarantee  both  flexibility  and  programmability  in  providing  Union 
support  to  Moldova.  Moldova  should  submit  on  a  six-monthly  basis  a  duly  justified 
request  for  the  release  of  funds  at  the  latest  two  months  after  the  timeline  for  the 
planned fulfilment of steps, set in the Commission Implementing Decision approving 
the  Reform  Agenda.  For  that  purpose,  funds  under  the  Facility  should  be  released 
according  to  a  fixed  semi-annual  schedule,  subject  to  availability  of  funding,  on  the 
basis  of  a  request  for  the  release  of  funds  submitted  by  Moldova  and  following 
verification  by  the  Commission  of  the  satisfactory  fulfilment  of  both  the  general 
conditions  related  to  macro-financial  stability,  sound  public  financial  management, 
transparency and oversight of the budget and the relevant payment conditions. Where 
a  payment  condition  is  not  fulfilled  as  per  the  indicative  timeline  set  in  the  decision 
approving the Reform Agenda, the Commission could withhold in whole or in part the 
release of funds corresponding  to  that condition, following a methodology  on partial 
payments. The release of the corresponding withheld funds could take place during the 
next  window  for  the  release  of  funds  and  up  to  twelve  months  after  the  original 
deadline set out in the indicative timeline, provided that the payment conditions have 
been fulfilled. In the first year of implementation, that deadline should be extended to 
24 months from the initial negative assessment. 

(51)  By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  116(2)  and  (5)  of  the  Financial  Regulation,  it  is 
appropriate to set the payment deadline for contributions to state budgets starting from 
the  date  of  the  communication  of  the  decision  authorising  the  disbursement  to 
Moldova  and  to  exclude  the  payment  of  default  interest  by  the  Commission  to 
Moldova. 

(52)  The  Commission  should  provide,  upon  request  of  the  European  Parliament  in  the 
framework of the discharge procedure, detailed information about the implementation 
of  the  Union  budget  under  the  Facility,  in  particular  as  regards  audits  carried  out, 
including weaknesses identified and corrective measures taken, and as regards projects 
approved  under  NIP,  including  where  applicable  the  amount  of  Moldova’s  co-
financing  as  well  as  other  sources  of  contributions  including  from  other  Union 
financing instruments. 

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(53) 

(54) 

(55) 

(56) 

(57) 

In the framework of the Union’s restrictive measures, adopted on the basis of Article 
29  TEU  and  Article  215  TFEU,  no  funds  or  economic  resources  may  be  made 
available,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  or  for  the  benefit  of  designated  legal  persons, 
entities or bodies. Such designated entities, and entities owned or controlled by them, 
therefore should not be supported by the Facility. 

In  the  interest  of  transparency  and  accountability,  Moldova  should  publish  data  on 
final recipients receiving amounts of funding exceeding the equivalent of EUR 50 000 
cumulatively  during  the  implementation  of  reforms  and  investments  under  this 
Facility. 

In accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, Regulation (EU, Euratom) 
883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (13) and Council Regulations 
(EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 (14), (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 (15) and (EU) 2017/1939 
(16), the financial interests of the Union are to be protected by means of proportionate 
measures,  including  measures  relating  to  the  prevention,  detection,  correction  and 
investigation  of irregularities, fraud, corruption, conflicts  of interest,  double funding, 
to the recovery of funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly used. 

In  particular,  in  accordance  with  regulations  (Euratom,  EC)  No  2185/96  and  (EU, 
Euratom) 883/2013, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) should be in a position 
including  on-the-spot  checks  and 
to  carry  out  administrative 
inspections,  with  a  view  to  establishing  whether  there  has  been  fraud,  corruption  or 
any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union. 

investigations, 

In accordance with Article 129 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the necessary 
rights and access should be granted to the Commission, OLAF, the Court of Auditors 
and, where applicable the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), including by 
third parties involved in the implementation of Union funds. 

(58)  The Commission should ensure that the financial interests of the Union are effectively 
protected under the Facility. Considering the long track record of financial assistance 
provided  to  Moldova  also  under  indirect  management  and  taking  into  account  its 
gradual  alignment  with  the  Unions  internal  control  standards  and  practices,  the 
Commission  should  rely  to  a  great  extent  on  the  operation  of  Moldova’s  internal 
control and fraud prevention systems.  In particular, the Commission  and OLAF and, 
where applicable, the EPPO should be informed of all suspected cases of irregularities, 
fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest affecting the implementation of funds under 
the Facility without delay. 

(59)  Furthermore,  Moldova  should  report  the  irregularities  including  fraud  which  have 
been the subject of a primary administrative or judicial finding, without delay, to the 
Commission  and  keep  it  informed  of  the  progress  of  administrative  and  legal 
proceedings. With the objective of alignment to good practices in Member States, this 
reporting  should  be  done  by  electronic  means,  using  the  Irregularity  Management 
System, established by the Commission. 

(60)  Moldova  should  establish  a  monitoring  system  feeding  into  a  semi-annual  report  on 
the  fulfilment  of  its  Reform  Agenda’s  payment  conditions  accompanying  the  semi-
annual request for the release of funds. Moldova should collect and provide access to 
data  and 
the  prevention,  detection  and  correction  of 
irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of  interest,  in  relation  to  the  measures 
supported by the Facility. 

information  allowing 

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(61)  The  Commission  should  ensure  that  clear  monitoring  and  independent  evaluation 
mechanisms are in place in order to provide effective accountability and transparency 
in  implementing  the  Union  budget,  and  to  ensure  effective  assessment  of  progress 
towards the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation. 

(62)  The Commission should provide an annual report to the European Parliament and the 
Council on progress towards the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation. 

(63)  The Commission should carry out an evaluation of the Facility upon its completion. 

(64)  Moldova  should  support  free  pluralistic  media  that  enhance  and  promote  the 
understanding  of  Union  values  and  the  benefits  and  obligations  of  potential  Union 
membership,  while  undertaking  decisive  actions  in  terms  of  tackling  Foreign 
Information Manipulation and Interference. They should also ensure pro-active, clear 
and consistent public communication, including on the Union support. The recipients 
of Union funding should actively acknowledge the origin and ensure visibility of the 
Union funding, in line with the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU External 
Actions. 

(65) 

Implementation  of  the  Facility  should  also  be  accompanied  by  enhanced  strategic 
communication  and  public  diplomacy  to  promote  the  values  of  the  Union  and 
highlight the added value of the Union’s support. 

(66)  Since the objectives of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member 
States,  but  can  rather  be  better  achieved  at  Union  level,  the  Union  may  adopt 
measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the 
TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this 
Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve those objectives. 

(67) 

In  order  to  provide  funding  for  Moldova  in  due  time  without  further  delay,  this 
Regulation  should enter into force on the day following  that of its publication in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union, 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

CHAPTER I  

General Provisions 

Article 1  

Subject matter 

1. 

2. 

3. 

This  Regulation  establishes  the  Reform  and  Growth  Facility  for  Moldova  for  the 
period 2025-2027 (the ‘Facility’). 

The  Regulation  shall  provide  assistance  to  Moldova  for  the  delivery  of  EU-related 
reforms, in particular inclusive and sustainable socio-economic reforms and reforms 
concerning fundamentals of the enlargement process, aligned with Union values, as 
well as investments to implement Moldova’s Reform Agenda.  

The rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/947 shall apply to the implementation of 
the Facility, unless specified otherwise in this Regulation. 

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For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: 

Article 2  

Definitions 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

‘Moldova’ means the Republic of Moldova. 

‘Facility Agreement’ means an arrangement concluded between the Commission and 
Moldova laying down the principles for the financial cooperation between Moldova 
and the Commission under this Regulation; this arrangement constitutes a financing 
agreement  within  the  meaning  of  Article  114(2)  of  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom) 
2024/2509 ; 

‘enlargement  policy  framework’  means  the  overall  policy  framework  for  the 
implementation  of  this  Regulation  as  defined  by  the  European  Council  and  the 
Council,  and  includes  the  revised  enlargement  methodology,  agreements  that 
establish  a  legally  binding  relationship  with  Moldova,  the  negotiating  frameworks 
governing  accession  negotiations  with  candidates,  where  applicable,  as  well  as 
resolutions  of  the  European  Parliament,  relevant  communications  from  the 
Commission, 
joint 
communications from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for 
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy   

including,  where  applicable,  on 

the  rule  of 

law,  and 

‘loan  agreement’  means  an  agreement  concluded  between  the  Union  and  Moldova 
laying down the terms of the loan support under the Facility; 

‘Reform  Agenda’  means  a  comprehensive,  coherent  and  prioritised  set  of  targeted 
reforms and priority investment areas in Moldova, including payment conditions that 
indicate  satisfactory  progress  or  completion  of  related  measures,  and  an  indicative 
timetable for their implementation; 

‘measures’  means  reforms  and  investments  as  set  out  in  the  Reform  Agenda  under 
Chapter III; 

‘payment conditions’ means conditions for the release of funds that take the form of 
observable  and  measurable  qualitative  or  quantitative  steps  to  be  implemented  by 
Moldova, as set out in the Reform Agenda under Chapter III; 

‘blending  operation’  means  an  operation  supported  by  the  Union  budget  that 
combines  non-repayable  forms  of  support  from  the  Union  budget  with  repayable 
forms  of  support  from  development  or  other  public  financial  institutions,  including 
export credit agencies, or from commercial finance institutions and investors; 

‘final recipient’ means a person or entity receiving funding under the Facility; for the 
part of the funding that is made available as financial assistance, final recipient will 
be the treasury of Moldova; for the part of the funding that is made available through 
the Neighbourhood Investment Platform, final recipient will be the contractor or sub-
contractor implementing the investment project;   

(10) 

(11) 

‘do  no  significant  harm’  means  not  supporting  or  carrying  out  economic  activities 
that do significant  harm  to  any environmental  objective, where  relevant,  within the 
meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852; 

‘the  Neighbourhood  Investment  Platform’  is  one  of  the  regional  investment 
platforms referred to under Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947.  

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Article 3  

Objectives of the Facility 

1. The general objectives of the Facility shall be to:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

support  the  enlargement  process  by  accelerating  the  alignment  with  Union  values, 
laws,  rules,  standards,  policies  and  practices  (‘acquis’)  through  the  adoption  and 
implementation of reforms with a view to future Union membership;  

support progressive integration of Moldova into the Union single market;  

accelerate the socio-economic convergence of Moldova’s economy with the Union;  

foster good neighbourly relations, as well as people-to-people contact. 

2. The specific objectives of the Facility shall be to:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

further strengthen the fundamentals of the enlargement process, including the rule of 
law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, including de-
polarisation,  public  administration  and  fulfil  the  economic  criteria;  this  includes 
promoting an independent judiciary, reinforcing security and stability, strengthening 
the  fight  against  fraud  and  all  forms  of  corruption,  including  high-level  corruption 
and nepotism, organised crime, cross-border crime and money laundering as well as 
terrorism financing, tax evasion and tax fraud, tax avoidance; increasing compliance 
with  international  law;  strengthening  freedom  and  independence  of  media  and 
academic freedom; combating hate speech; enabling an environment for civil society, 
fostering social dialogue; promoting gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the 
empowerment  of women and girls,  non-discrimination  and tolerance, to  ensure and 
strengthen  respect  for  the  rights  of  refugees  and  persons  belonging  to  minorities, 
including  national  minorities  and  Roma,  as  well as  rights  of  lesbian,  gay,  bisexual, 
transgender and intersex persons; 

move  towards  full  alignment  of  Moldova  with  the  Union  Common  Foreign  and 
Security Policy (CFSP), including Union restrictive measures;  

fight disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference against 
the Union and its values; 

move towards harmonisation of visa policies with the Union;  

reinforce  the  effectiveness  of  public  administration,  build  capacities  and  invest  in 
administrative staff in Moldova; ensure access to information, public scrutiny and the 
involvement  of  civil  society  in  decision-making  processes;  support  transparency, 
accountability,  structural  reforms  and  good  governance  at  all  levels,  including  as 
regards their powers of oversight  and inquiry over the distribution of and access  to 
public  funds  as  well  as  in  the  areas  of  public  financial  management  and  public 
procurement  and  State  aid  control;  support  initiatives  and  bodies  involved  in 
supporting and enforcing international justice in Moldova;  

accelerate  the  transition  of  Moldova  to  sustainable,  climate-neutral  and  inclusive 
economy, that is capable of withstanding competitive market pressures of the Union 
single  market,  and  to  a  stable  investment  environment  and  reduce  its  strategic 
dependency;  

foster economic  integration of  Moldova with the Union single market,  in particular 
through increased trade and investment flows, and resilient value chains; 

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(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

(l) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

support  enhanced  integration  with  the  Union  single  market  through  improved  and 
sustainable  connectivity  in  line  with  trans-European  networks  to  reinforce  good 
neighbourly relations, as well as people-to-people contact; 

accelerate  the  inclusive  and  sustainable  green  transition  to  climate  neutrality  by 
2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal and covering all 
economic  sectors,  particularly  energy,  including  the  transition  towards  a  de-
carbonised,  climate-neutral,  climate-resilient  and  circular  economy,  while  ensuring 
that investments respect the ‘do no significant harm’ principle;  

promote  the  digital  transformation  and  digital  skills  as  an  enabler  of  sustainable 
development and inclusive growth; 

boost  innovation,  research,  and  cooperation  between  academic  institutions  and 
industry  in  support  of  the  green  and  digital  transitions,  promoting  local  industries 
with  a  particular  emphasis  on  locally  based  micro,  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises and start-ups;  

boost  quality  education,  training,  reskilling  and  upskilling  at  all  levels,  with  a 
particular focus on youth, including tackling youth unemployment, preventing brain 
drain  and  supporting  vulnerable  communities,  including  refugees,  and  support 
employment  policies,  including  labour  rights,  in  line  with  the  European  Pillar  of 
Social Rights, and fighting poverty.  

Article 4  

General principles 

Support  from  the  Facility  shall  be  managed  by  the  Commission  in  a  manner 
consistent with the key principles and objectives of economic reforms set out in the 
EU-Moldova Association Agreement and the EU enlargement policy. 

Cooperation  under  the  Facility  shall  be  needs-based  and  shall  promote  the 
development  effectiveness  principles,  namely  ownership  of  development  priorities 
by  Moldova  a  focus  on  clear  conditionality  and  tangible  results,  inclusive 
partnerships,  transparency  and  mutual  accountability.  That  cooperation  shall  be 
based on an effective and efficient allocation and use of resources.  

The  provision  of  macro-financial  assistance  shall  not  fall  within  the  scope  of  this 
Facility.  

Support  from  the  Facility  shall  be  additional  and  complementary  to  the  support 
provided  under  other  Union  programmes  and  instruments.  Activities  eligible  for 
funding  under  this  Regulation  may  receive  support  from  other  Union  programmes 
and  instruments  provided  that  such  support  does  not  cover  the  same  cost  and  that 
appropriate  oversight  and  budget  control  is  ensured.  The  Commission  shall  ensure 
complementarities and synergies between the Facility and other Union programmes, 
with a view to avoiding the duplication of assistance and double funding. 

In order to promote the complementarity, coherence and efficiency of their actions, 
the  Commission  and  the  Member  States  shall  cooperate  and  shall  strive  to  avoid 
duplication and ensure synergies between assistance under this Regulation and other 
forms of assistance, including integrated financial packages composed of both export 
and development  financing provided by the Union, Member States, third  countries, 

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multilateral  and  regional  organisations  and  entities,  such  as 
international 
organisations and the relevant international  financial institutions, agencies and non-
Union  donors,  in  line  with  the  established  principles  for  strengthening  operational 
coordination  in  the  field  of  external  assistance,  including  through  enhanced 
coordination with Member States at local level. Such coordination at local level shall 
involve  regular  and  timely  consultations  and  frequent  exchanges  of  information 
throughout the implementation of the Facility. 

including 

through,  where  appropriate,  environmental 

Activities under the Facility shall mainstream and promote democracy, human rights 
and gender  equality,  progressively  align with  the social, climate and environmental 
standards of the Union, mainstream climate change mitigation and adaptation, where 
relevant,  disaster  risk  reduction,  environmental  protection  and  biodiversity 
impact 
conservation, 
assessments, and shall support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, 
promoting integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives 
in a coherent way. Those activities shall avoid stranded assets, and shall be guided by 
the principles of ‘do no significant harm’ and of ‘leaving no one behind’, as well as 
by  the  sustainability  mainstreaming  approach  underpinning  the  European  Green 
Deal. At least  37  % of the non-repayable  financial  support, including  provisioning, 
provided  to  investment  projects  approved  under  the  Neighbourhood  Investment 
Platform (NIP) should account to climate objectives. 

the  Commission  shall  ensure 

Moldova  and 
that  gender  equality,  gender 
mainstreaming and the integration of a gender perspective are taken into account and 
promoted throughout the preparation of the Reform Agenda and the implementation 
of the Facility. Moldova and the Commission shall take appropriate steps to prevent 
any  discrimination  based  upon  gender,  racial  or  ethnic  origin,  religion  or  belief, 
disability, age or sexual orientation. The Commission shall report on these measures 
in the context of its regular reporting under the Gender Action Plans.  

The  Facility  shall  not  support  activities  or  measures  which  are  incompatible  with 
Moldova’s  Energy  and  Climate  Plans,  their  Nationally  Determined  Contribution 
under the Paris Agreement, and ambition to  reach climate-neutrality by 2050 at the 
latest  or  that  promote  investments  in  fossil  fuels,  or  that  cause  significant  adverse 
effects on the environment, the climate or biodiversity. 

In  line  with  the  principle  of  inclusive  partnership,  the  Commission  shall  strive  to 
ensure, as appropriate, democratic scrutiny in the form of consultation by Moldova’s 
government of its parliament as well as of relevant stakeholders, including local and 
regional  authorities,  social  partners  and  civil  society,  including  vulnerable  groups, 
refugees,  and  all  minorities  and  communities,  as  relevant,  so  as  to  allow  them  to 
participate  in  shaping  the  design  and  the  implementation  of  activities  eligible  for 
funding  under  the  Facility  and  in  the  related  monitoring,  scrutiny  and  evaluation 
processes,  as  relevant.  That  consultation  shall  seek  to  represent  the  pluralism  of 
Moldova’s society.  

The Commission,  in  close cooperation with  the  Member States  and  Moldova, shall 
ensure  the  implementation  of  Union  commitments  to  increased  transparency  and 
accountability in the delivery of support, including by promoting the implementation 
and  reinforcement  of  internal  control  systems  and  anti-fraud  policies.  The 
Commission  shall  make  information  on  the  volume  and  allocation  of  support 
publicly  available  through  the  Scoreboard  referred  to  in  Article  24.  Moldova  shall 
the 
publish  up-to-date  data  on  final  recipients  receiving  Union  funds  for 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

implementation  of  reforms  and  investments  under  this  Facility,  as  described  in 
Article 20. 

Article 5  

Preconditions for Union support 

Preconditions  for  the  support  under  the  Facility  shall  be  that  Moldova  upholds  and 
respects  effective  democratic  mechanisms,  including  a  multi-party  parliamentary 
system,  free  and  fair  elections,  pluralistic  media,  an  independent  judiciary  and  the 
rule  of  law,  and  guarantee  respect  for  all  human  rights  obligations,  including  the 
rights of persons belonging to minorities. 

The  Commission  shall  monitor  the  fulfilment  of  the  preconditions  set  out  in 
paragraph 1 before funds, including pre-financing, are released to Moldova under the 
Facility and throughout the period of the support provided under the Facility taking 
duly  into  account  the  enlargement  policy  framework.  The  Commission  shall  also 
take into account the relevant recommendations of international bodies, such as the 
Council  of  Europe  and  its  Venice  Commission,  or  the  Office  for  Democratic 
Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
Europe (OSCE) in the monitoring process.  

The Commission may adopt a decision concluding that some of the preconditions set 
out in paragraph 1 of this Article are not met, and in particular, withhold the release 
of  funds  referred  to  in  Article  19,  irrespective  of  whether  the  payment  conditions 
referred to in Article 10 are fulfilled. 

CHAPTER II  

Financing and implementation 

Article 6  

Implementation 

the  Neighbourhood, 
The  Facility  shall  be  supported  with  resources  from 
Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe amounting 
to  EUR  420  million  and  a  maximum  amount  of  EUR  1  500  million  in  loans.  The 
amount  for  loans  shall  not  constitute  part  of  the  amount  of  the  External  Action 
Guarantee within the meaning of Article 31(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. 

The non-repayable financial support shall be financed for the period from 1 January 
2025  to  31  December  2027  from  the  envelope  allocated  to  the  Neighbourhood 
geographic programme under Article 6(2), point (a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. It 
shall cover provisioning for loans amounting to EUR 135 million, support provided 
by the Union for projects approved under the NIP, as referred to in Article 18(2)and 
complementary  support,  including  support  to  civil  society  organisations  and 
technical  assistance.  That  funding  shall  be  implemented  in  accordance  with 
Regulation (EU) 2021/947.   

Decisions  on  the  release  referred  to  in  Article  19(3)  for  the  support  in  the  form  of 
loans shall be adopted in the period from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2029.  

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3. 

4. 

5. 

The  release  of  the  Union’s  assistance  shall  be  managed  by  the  Commission  in  a 
manner  consistent  with  the  key  principles  and  objectives  of  reforms  set  out  in  the 
Reform Agenda. All funds, with the exception of complementary support referred to 
in paragraph 2, and resources referred to in paragraph 5, shall be provided in twice-
yearly instalments based on the completion of the necessary reforms in the specified 
timelines  as  agreed  in  the  reform  agenda  and  agreed  in  the  Commission 
Implementing Decision. 

At least 25% part of the loan component released to Moldova shall be made available 
by  Moldova  to  investment  projects  approved  under  the  NIP,  one  of  the  regional 
investment  platforms  referred  to  in  Article  32  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/947.  The 
Facility Agreement, referred to in Article 8, shall detail this obligation, as well as the 
detailed  rules  and  principles  for  implementation.  Failure  to  comply  with  this 
obligation  shall  trigger  suspension  of  further  operations  under  this  Facility  and 
recovery of said amounts from Moldova, as referred to in Article 19. 

An amount of up to 1% of the non-repayable support referred to in paragraph 2 may 
be  used  for  technical  and  administrative  assistance  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Facility,  such  as  preparatory  actions,  monitoring,  control,  audit  and  evaluation 
activities, which are required for the management of the Facility and the achievement 
of its objectives, in particular studies, meetings of experts, training consultations with 
Moldova’s authorities, conferences, consultation of stakeholders, including local and 
regional authorities and civil society organisations, information and communication 
activities, including inclusive outreach actions, and the corporate communication of 
the  political  priorities  of  the  Union,  insofar  as  they  are  related  to  the  objectives  of 
this Regulation, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on information processing 
and  exchange,  corporate  information  technology  tools,  as  well  as  all  other 
expenditure  at  headquarters  and  Union  delegation  for  the  administrative  and 
coordination support required for the Facility. Expenses may also cover the costs of 
activities supporting transparency and of other activities such as quality control and 
monitoring  of  projects  or  programmes  on  the  ground  and  the  costs  of  peer 
counselling  and  experts  for  the  assessment  and  implementation  of  reforms  and 
investments. 

Article 7  

Rules on the eligibility of persons and entities, on the origin of supply and materials and on 
restrictions under the Facility 

1. 

By way of derogation from Article 28 of Regulation (EU) 2021/947, participation in 
procurement and in grant award procedures for activities financed under the Facility 
shall  be  open  to  international  and  regional  organisations  and  to  all  natural  persons 
who are nationals of, or legal persons effectively established in: 

(a)  Member  States,  Moldova,  candidate  countries  and  contracting  parties  to  the 

Agreement on the European Economic Area; 

(b) 

countries  which  provide  a  level  of  support  to  Moldova  comparable  to  that 
provided by the Union, taking into account the size of their economy, and for 
which reciprocal access to external assistance in Moldova is established by the 
Commission. 

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2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

The  reciprocal  access  referred  to  in  paragraph  1,  point  (b),  may  be  granted  for  a 
limited period of at least one year where a country grants eligibility on equal terms to 
entities from the Union and from countries eligible under the Facility. 

The Commission shall decide on the reciprocal access after consulting Moldova. 

All  supplies  and  materials  financed  and  procured  under  this  Facility  shall  originate 
from any country referred to in paragraph 1, points (a) and (b), unless those supplies 
and  materials  cannot  be  sourced  under  reasonable  conditions  in  any  of  those 
countries. In addition, the rules on restrictions laid down in paragraph 6 shall apply. 

The  eligibility  rules  under  this  Article  shall  not  apply  to,  and  shall  not  create 
nationality restrictions for, natural persons employed or otherwise legally contracted 
by  an  eligible  contractor  or,  where  applicable,  subcontractor  except  where  the 
nationality restrictions are based on the rules provided for in paragraph 6. 

For  activities  jointly  co-financed  by  an  entity  or  implemented  under  direct 
management  or  indirect  management  with  entities  referred  to  in  Article  62(1),  first 
subparagraph, point (c) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, the rules applicable 
to those entities shall also apply in addition to the rules established under this Article, 
including,  where  applicable,  the  restrictions  provided  for  under  paragraph  6  of  this 
Article  and  duly  reflected  in  the  financing  agreements  and  contractual  documents 
signed with those entities. 

The  eligibility  rules  and  rules  on  the  origin  of  supplies  and  materials  set  out  in 
paragraphs  1  and 3 and  rules on the nationality  of the natural  persons  as set  out  in 
paragraph 4 may be restricted with regard to the nationality, geographical location or 
nature of the legal entities participating in award procedures, as well as with regard 
to the geographical origin of supplies and materials where: 

(a) 

(b) 

such restrictions are required on account of the specific nature or objectives of 
the  activity  or  specific  award  procedure  or  where  those  restrictions  are 
necessary for the effective implementation of the activity; 

the  activity  or  specific  award  procedures  affect  security  or  public  order,  in 
particular  concerning  strategic  assets  and  interests  of  the  Union,  of  Member 
States,  or  of  Moldova,  including  the  security,  resilience  and  protection  of 
integrity  of  digital  infrastructure,  including  5G  network  infrastructure, 
communication and information systems, and related supply chains. 

Tender  applicants  and  candidates  from  non-eligible  countries  may  be  accepted  as 
eligible in cases of urgency or where services are unavailable in the markets of the 
countries  or  territories  concerned,  or  in  other  duly  substantiated  cases  where  the 
application  of  the  eligibility  rules  would  make  the  realisation  of  an  activity 
impossible or exceedingly difficult. 

In the framework of the Union’s restrictive measures, adopted on the basis of Article 
29  TEU  and  Article  215  TFEU,  no  funds  or  economic  resources  may  be  made 
available,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  or  for  the  benefit  of  legal  persons,  entities  or 
bodies subject to Union restrictive measures. Such persons and entities, and entities 
owned or controlled by them, shall not be supported by the Facility either directly or 
indirectly,  including  as  indirect  owners,  sub-contractors  in  the  supply  chain  or 
ultimate beneficiaries. 

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Article 8 

 Facility Agreement 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The  Commission  shall  conclude  a  Facility  Agreement  with  Moldova  for  the 
implementation of this Regulation setting out the obligations and payment conditions 
for the disbursement of funding.  

The Facility Agreement  shall be complemented  by  a loan  agreement in  accordance 
with  Article  15,  setting  out  specific  provisions  for 
the  management  and 
implementation of funding provided in the form of a loan. The Facility Agreement, 
including  any  related  documentation,  shall  be  made  available,  upon  request,  to  the 
European Parliament and the Council simultaneously and without delay.  

Funding shall be granted to Moldova only after the Facility Agreement and the loan 
agreement have entered into force.  

The  Facility  Agreement  and  the  loan  agreement  concluded  with  Moldova  shall 
ensure  that  the  obligations  set  out  in  Article  129  of  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom) 
2024/2509 are fulfilled.  

5. 

The Facility Agreement shall lay down the necessary detailed provisions concerning:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

including  appropriate  mechanisms 

the commitment of Moldova to make decisive progress towards a robust legal 
framework  to  fight  fraud,  and  establish  more  efficient  and  effective  control 
systems, 
the  protection  of 
whistleblowers as well as appropriate mechanisms and measures to effectively 
prevent,  detect  and  correct  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of 
interest as well as to strengthen the fight against money laundering, organised 
crime, misuse of public funds, terrorism financing, tax avoidance, tax fraud or 
tax evasion, and other illegal activities affecting the funds provided under the 
Facility;  

for 

the rules on the release, withholding and reduction of funds in accordance with 
Article 19;  

the detailed rules on and the obligation of Moldova to provide part of total loan 
amount for projects approved under the NIP, pursuant to Art. 6(4). 

the  activities  related  to  management,  control,  supervision,  monitoring, 
evaluation, reporting and audit, as well as system reviews, investigations, anti-
fraud measures and cooperation;  

the  rules  on  reporting  to  the  Commission  on  whether  and  how  the  payment 
conditions referred to in Article 10 are fulfilled; 

the rules on taxes, duties and charges in accordance with Article 27(9) and (10) 
of Regulation (EU) 2021/947; 

the  measures  to  effectively  prevent,  detect  and  correct  irregularities,  fraud, 
corruption  and  conflicts  of  interest,  and  the  obligation  for  persons  or  entities 
implementing  Union  funds  under  the  Regulation  to  notify  the  Commission, 
OLAF  and,  where  applicable,  EPPO,  without  delay,  of  suspected  or  actual 
cases  of  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of  interest  and  other 
illegal  activities  affecting  the  funds  provided  under  the  Facility  and  their 
follow-up;  

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(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

the obligations referred to in Articles 21 and 22, including the precise rules and 
a  timeframe  on  collection  of  data  by  Moldova  and  access  to  it  for  the 
Commission, OLAF, the Court of Auditors and, where applicable, EPPO; 

a  procedure  to  ensure  that  disbursement  requests  for  loan  support  fall  within 
the available loan amount, in accordance with Article 6(1); 

the  right  of  the  Commission  to  reduce  proportionately  the  support  provided 
under  the  Regulation  and  to  recover  any  amount  referred  to  in  Article  6(1) 
spent to achieve the objectives of the Regulation, or to ask for early repayment 
of the loan, in cases of irregularities, fraud, corruption and conflicts of interest 
affecting  the  financial  interests  of  the  Union  that  have  not  been  corrected  by 
Moldova,  of  a  reversal  of  qualitative  or  quantitative  steps,  or  of  a  serious 
breach of an obligation provided for in the Facility Agreement;  

(k) 

rules  and  modalities  for  Moldova  to  report  for  the  purpose  of  monitoring  the 
implementation of the Facility and assessing the achievement of the objectives 
set out in Article 3. 

(l) 

the  obligation  for  Moldova  to  transmit  electronically  to  the  Commission  the 
data referred to in Article 20. 

CHAPTER III 

Reform Agenda 

Article 9 

Submission of Reform Agenda 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

In  order  to  receive  any  support  under  this  Regulation,  Moldova  shall  submit  to  the 
Commission  a  Reform  Agenda  for  2025-2027  based  on  the  key  principles  and 
objectives  of  socio-economic  and  fundamental  reforms  set  out  in  the  EU-Moldova 
Association  Agreement,  agreed under the European Neighbourhood Policy, and the 
enlargement policy framework. 

The Reform Agenda shall provide an overarching framework to achieve the general 
and specific objectives set out in Article 3, setting out the reforms to be undertaken 
by  Moldova,  as  well  as  investment  areas.  The  Reform  Agenda  shall  comprise 
measures for the implementation of reforms through a comprehensive and coherent 
package. In the areas of the fundamentals of the enlargement process, including the 
rule of law, the fight against corruption, including high-level corruption, fundamental 
rights  and  the  freedom  of  expression,  the  Reform  Agendas  shall  reflect  the 
assessments in the enlargement policy framework.  

The  Reform  Agendas  shall  be  consistent  with  the  latest  macroeconomic  and  fiscal 
policy framework submitted to the Commission in the context of the Economic and 
Financial Dialogue with the Union. 

The  Reform  Agenda  shall  be  consistent  with  and  support  the  reform  priorities 
identified  in  the  context  of  Moldova’s  accession  path,  and  in  other  relevant 
documents, the Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement and 
the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.  

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5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

The Reform Agenda shall respect the general principles set out in Article 4. 

The  Reform  Agenda  shall  be  prepared  in  an  inclusive  and  transparent  manner,  in 
consultation with social partners and civil society organisations.  

The  Commission  shall  invite  Moldova  to  submit  its  Reform  Agenda  within  three 
months  of  the  entry  into  force  of  this  Regulation.  The  Commission  shall  transmit 
Moldova’s Reform Agenda to the European Parliament and the Council as soon as it 
is received.  

Article 10 

Principles for financing under the Reform Agenda 

The  Regulation  shall  provide  incentives  for  the  implementation  of  the  Reform 
Agenda  by  setting  payment  conditions  on  the  release  of  funds.  Those  payment 
conditions  shall  apply  to  funds  under  Article  6(1),  with  the  exception  of 
complementary support including support to civil society organisations and technical 
assistance. Those payment conditions shall take the form of measurable qualitative or 
quantitative  steps.  Such  steps  shall  reflect  progress  on  specific  socio-economic 
reforms  and  on  the  fundamentals  of  the  enlargement  process  linked  to  the 
achievement of the objectives of the Facility set out in Article 3, consistent with the 
enlargement policy framework.  

The  fulfilment  of  those  payment  conditions  shall  trigger  full  or  partial  release  of 
funds, depending on the degree of their completion.  

Macro  financial  stability,  sound  public  financial  management,  transparency  and 
oversight of the budget are general conditions for payments that shall be fulfilled for 
any release of funds.  

Funds  under  the  Facility  shall  not  support  activities  or  measures  which  undermine 
peace agreements in the region. 

Article 11 

Content of the Reform Agenda 

1. 

The Reform Agenda shall in particular set out the following elements, which shall be 
reasoned and substantiated:  

(a)  measures  constituting  a  coherent,  comprehensive  and  adequately  balanced 
response  to  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  3,  including  structural  reforms, 
investments, and measures to ensure compliance with preconditions referred to 
in Article 5, where appropriate;  

(b) 

(c) 

an explanation of how the measures are consistent with the general principles 
referred  to  in  Article  4,  as  well  as  the  requirements,  strategies,  plans  and 
programmes referred to in Articles 4 and 10; 

an  explanation  of  how  the  measures  are  expected  to  further  strengthen  the 
fundamentals  of  the  enlargement  process  as  referred  to  in  Article  3(2),  point 
(n),  including  the  rule  of  law,  fundamental  rights  and  the  fight  against 
corruption; 

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(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

(l) 

an  indicative  list  of  investment  projects  and  programmes  intended  for 
including  respective  overall 
discussion  and  approval  under 
investment volumes and envisaged timelines for implementation;  

the  NIP,, 

an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute 
to  climate  and  environmental  objectives  and  their  compatibility  with  the 
principle ‘do no significant harm’;  

an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute 
to digital transformation;  

an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute 
to education, training and employment and social objectives;  

an explanation of the extent to which the measures are expected to contribute 
to  gender  equality  and  the  empowerment  of  women  and  girls,  and  the 
promotion of women and girls’ rights; 

for  the  reforms  and  investments,  an  indicative  timetable,  and  the  envisaged 
payment  conditions  for  the  release  of  funds  in  the  form  of  measurable 
qualitative and quantitative steps planned to be implemented by 31 December 
2027 at the latest;  

an explanation of how the measures are expected to contribute to a progressive 
and  continuous  alignment  with  the  CFSP,  including  Union  restrictive 
measures; 

the arrangements for the effective monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the 
Reform  Agenda  by  Moldova,  including  the  proposed  measurable  qualitative 
and quantitative steps and relevant indicators set out in paragraph 2; 

an explanation of Moldova’s system to  effectively prevent, detect and correct 
irregularities,  fraud,  corruption,  including  high-level  corruption,  and  conflicts 
of interest and to enforce State aid control rules, and the proposed measures to 
address  existing  deficiencies  in  the  first  years  of  the  implementation  of  the 
Reform Agenda;  

(m) 

for the preparation and, where available, for the implementation of the Reform 
Agenda, a summary of the consultation process, conducted in accordance with 
Moldova’s  legal  framework,  of  relevant  stakeholders,  including  Moldova’s 
parliament,  local  and  regional  representative  bodies  and  authorities,  social 
partners  and  civil  society  organisations,  and  how  the  input  of  those 
stakeholders is reflected in the Reform Agenda;  

(n) 

a  communication  and  visibility  plan  on  the  Reform  Agenda  for  the  local 
audiences of Moldova;  

(o) 

any other relevant information.  

2. 

The  Reform  Agenda  shall  be  results-based  and  include  indicators  for  assessing 
progress  towards  the  achievement  of  the  general  and  specific  objectives  set  out  in 
Article  3.  Those  indicators  shall  be  based,  where  appropriate  and  relevant,  on 
internationally agreed indicators and those already available related to the Moldova’s 
policies.  Indicators  shall  also  be  coherent,  to  the  extent  possible,  with  the  key 
performance  indicators  included  in  Commission  Implementing  Decision  approving 
the Reform Agendas for the Western Balkans under Regulation (EU) 2024/1449 and 
in the EFSD+ Results Measurement Framework. 

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Article 12 

Commission assessment of the Reform Agenda 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The Commission shall assess the relevance, comprehensiveness and appropriateness 
of Moldova’s Reform Agenda or, where applicable, any amendment to that Agenda, 
without undue delay. When carrying out its assessment, the Commission shall act in 
close  cooperation  with  Moldova,  and  may  make  observations,  seek  additional 
information or require Moldova to review or modify its Reform Agenda. 

As  regards  the  objective  set  out  in  Article  11(1)(j)  of  this  Regulation,  the 
Commission, in accordance with Decision 2010/427/EU, shall duly take into account 
the role and the contribution of the EEAS. 

When assessing the Reform Agenda, the Commission shall take into account relevant 
available  analytical  information  about  Moldova,  including  its  macroeconomic 
situation  and  debt  sustainability,  the  justification  and  the  elements  provided  by 
Moldova as referred to in Article 13, as well as any other relevant information such 
as the information listed in Article 11. 

4. 

In its assessment, the Commission shall consider in particular the following criteria: 

(a)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  represents  a  relevant,  comprehensive,  coherent 
and  adequately  balanced  response  to  the  objectives  set  out  in  Article  3  and 
elements set out in Article 11; 

(b)  whether the Reform Agenda and its measures are consistent with the principles, 

strategies, plans and programmes referred to in Articles 4 and 11; 

(c)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  can  be  expected  to  accelerate  progress  towards 
bridging the socio-economic gap between Moldova and the Union, and thereby 
enhances their economic, social and environmental development and supports 
the  convergence  towards  the  Union’s  standards,  reduces  inequalities  and 
reinforces social cohesion;  

(d)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  can  be  expected  to  further  strengthen  the 
fundamentals  of  the  enlargement  process  as  referred  to  in  Article  3(2),  point 
(a);  

(e)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  can  be  expected  to  accelerate  the  transition  of 
Moldova  towards  sustainable,  climate-neutral  and  climate  resilient  and 
inclusive  economy  by  improving  connectivity,  making  progress  on  the  twin 
transition  of  green  and  digital,  including  biodiversity,  reducing  strategic 
dependencies  and  boosting  research  and  innovation,  education,  training, 
employment  and  skills  and  the  wider  labour  market,  with  particular  attention 
on youth; 

(f)  whether the measures included in the Reform Agenda are compatible with the 

principles of ‘do no significant harm’ and of ‘leaving no one behind’;  

(g)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  appropriately  addresses  potential  risks  in 

compliance with preconditions and payment conditions; 

(h)  whether  the  payment  conditions  proposed  by  Moldova  are  appropriate  and 
ambitious,  consistent  with  the  enlargement  policy  framework,  as  well  as 
sufficiently  meaningful  and  clear  to  allow  for  the  corresponding  release  of 
funds in case of their fulfilment and whether the proposed reporting indicators 

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are  appropriate  and  sufficient  to  monitor  and  report  on  the  progress  made 
towards the overall objectives;  

(i)  whether  the  arrangements  proposed  by  Moldova  are  expected  to  effectively 
prevent,  detect  and  correct  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of 
interest,  organised  crime  and  money  laundering  as  well  as  to  effectively 
investigate  and  prosecute  criminal  offences  affecting  the  funds  under  the 
Facility,;  

(j)  whether  the  Reform  Agenda  effectively  reflects  the  input  of  relevant 
stakeholders, 
regional 
representative  bodies  and  authorities,  social  partners  and  civil  society 
organisations.  

including  Moldova’s  parliament, 

local 

and 

5. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

For the purpose of the assessment of the Reform Agenda submitted by Moldova, the 
Commission may be assisted by independent experts.  

Article 13 

Commission Implementing Decision 

1.  In  case  of  positive  assessment,  the  Commission  shall  approve  by  means  of  an 
implementing  decision  the  Reform  Agenda  submitted  by  Moldova,  in  accordance 
with  Article  12  or,  where  applicable,  of  the  amended  Agenda  submitted  in 
accordance  with  Article  14.  The  provisions  of  Article  25(2)  shall  apply  to  the 
adoption of that implementing decision. 

The Commission implementing decision, referred to in paragraph 1, shall set out the 
reforms  to  be  implemented  by  Moldova  concerned,  the  investment  areas  to  be 
supported and the payment conditions stemming from the Reform Agenda, including 
the timetable.  

The  Commission  implementing  decision,  referred  to  in  paragraph  1,  shall  also  lay 
down:  

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

the indicative amount of overall funds available to Moldova against fulfilment 
of  payment  conditions,  as  referred  in  Article  10(1),  and  the  scheduled 
instalments  to  be  released,  including  pre-financing,  structured  in  accordance 
with  Article  11,  once  Moldova  has  achieved  satisfactory  fulfilment  of  the 
relevant  payment  conditions  in  the  form  of  qualitative  and  quantitative  steps 
identified in relation to the implementation of the Reform Agenda;  

the  breakdown  by  instalment  of  financing  between  loan  support  and  non-
repayable support;  

the time limit  by which the  final  payment conditions  for the reforms  must be 
completed; 

the  arrangements  and 
reporting  and 
for 
implementation  of the Reform  Agenda, including, where appropriate, through 
democratic  scrutiny  as  referred  to  in  Article  4  as  well  as,  where  relevant, 
measures necessary for complying with Article 23. 

the  monitoring, 

timetable 

(e) 

the  indicators  referred  to  in  Article 11(2)  for  assessing  progress  towards  the 
achievement of the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3. 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

Article 14 

 Amendments to the Reform Agenda 

Where  the  Reform  Agenda,  including  relevant  payment  conditions,  is  no  longer 
achievable  by  Moldova,  either  partially  or 
totally,  because  of  objective 
circumstances,  Moldova  may  propose  an  amended  Reform  Agenda.  In  that  case, 
Moldova  may  make  a  reasoned  request  to  the  Commission  to  amend  its 
implementing decision referred to in Article 13(1). 

The  Commission  may  amend  the  implementing  decision,  in  particular  to  take  into 
account  a  change of the  amounts available in  line with  the principles under Article 
19. 

Where the Commission considers that the reasons put forward by Moldova justify an 
amendment to its Reform Agenda, the Commission shall assess the amended Agenda 
in accordance with Article 12 and may amend the implementing decision referred to 
in Article 13(1) without undue delay. 

In  an  amendment,  the  Commission  may  accept  timelines  for  payment  conditions 
extending until 31 December 2028.  

Article 15 

Loan agreement, borrowing and lending operations 

In  order  to  finance  the  support  under  the  Facility  in  the  form  of  loans,  the 
Commission  shall  be  empowered  on  behalf  of  the  Union  to  borrow  the  necessary 
funds on the capital markets or from financial institutions in accordance with Article 
224 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.  

The  Commission  shall  enter  into  a  loan  agreement  with  Moldova.  The  loan 
agreement shall lay down the maximum loan amount, the availability period and the 
detailed terms and conditions of the support under the Facility in the form of loans. 
The loans shall have maximum duration of 40 years from the date of the signature of 
the  loan  agreement.  The  loan  agreement  shall  contain  the  amount  of  pre-financing 
and rules on clearing of pre-financing. 

In  addition  to  and  by  way  of  derogation  from  Article  220(5)  of  the  Financial 
Regulation,  the loan agreement shall contain the amount of pre-financing and rules 
on clearing of pre-financing. 

3. 

The  loan  agreement  shall  be  made  available,  upon  request,  to  the  European 
Parliament and the Council. 

Article 16 

Provisioning 

1. 
Provisioning  for  the  loans  shall  be  constituted  at  the  rate  of  9  %  from  the 
envelope allocated to the Neighbourhood geographic programme under Article 6(2), 
point  (a)  of  Regulation  (EU)  2021/947  and  shall  be  used  as  part  of  provisions 
supporting similar risks.  

2. 
By  way  of  derogation  from  Article  211  (2),  last  sentence,  of  the  Financial 
Regulation, the provisioning shall be paid progressively and fully constituted at the 
latest when the loans are fully disbursed. 

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3. The provisioning rate shall be reviewed at least every three years from the date of 
application of this Regulation in line with the procedure foreseen under Article 31(5), 
fourth subparagraph, of the Regulation (EU) 2021/947. 

Article 17 

Pre-financing 

Following the submission of the Reform Agenda to the Commission, Moldova may 
request the release of a pre-financing of up to 7 % of the total amount foreseen under 
this  Facility  in  accordance  with  Article  6(1),  after  deduction  of  complementary 
support, including support to civil society organisations and technical assistance, and 
provisioning for loans.  

The  Commission  may  release  the  requested  pre-financing  after  the  adoption  of  its 
implementing  decision  referred  to  in  Article  13  and  the  entry  into  force  of  the 
Facility  Agreement  and  of  the  loan  agreement  referred  to  in  Articles  8  and  15 
respectively.  The  funds  shall  be  released  in  accordance  with  Article  19(3),  first 
sentence, and subject to the respect of the preconditions set out in Article 5. 

The  Commission  shall  decide  on  the  timeframe  for  the  disbursement  of  the  pre-
financing, which may be disbursed in one or more tranches. 

Article 18 

Implementation of investment projects under the Neighbourhood Investment Platform 

In order to benefit from the leverage of Union financial support to attract additional 
investment,  investments  supporting  the  Reform  Agenda  shall  be  implemented  in 
cooperation  with  international  financial  institutions  in  the  form  of  investment 
projects approved under the Neighbourhood Investment Platform. 

Following satisfactory fulfilment of payment conditions, the Commission will adopt 
a decision authorising a release of funds, as referred to in Article 19(3). This decision 
shall, in accordance with Article 6(1), set the amount of funds to be made available 
in  the  form  of  non-repayable  support  provided  by  the  Union  for  projects  approved 
under the NIP, and the amount of financial assistance in the form of loan support to 
be released to Moldova. This decision shall also set out, in accordance with the ratio 
set in the Facility Agreement as referred to in Article 8(5)(c), the share of this loan 
support  to  be  made  available  by  Moldova  as  co-financing  for  projects  approved 
under the NIP. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

Article 19 

Assessment of the fulfilment of payment conditions, withholding and reduction of funds, rules 
on payments 

1. 

Twice per year, Moldova shall submit a duly justified request for the release of funds 
at  the  latest  two  months  after  the  timeline  set  in  the  Commission  Implementing 
Decision  in  respect  of  fulfilled  payment  conditions  related  to  the  quantitative  and 
qualitative steps as set out in the Reform Agenda.  

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2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

The  Commission  shall  assess  without  undue  delay  whether  Moldova  has  met  the 
preconditions  set  out  in  Article 5 and the principles for financing  set  out  in  Article 
10(3)  and  achieved  satisfactory  fulfilment  of  the  payment  conditions  set  out  in  the 
Commission  implementing  decision  referred  to  in  Article  13.  In  case  the 
Commission  finds  that  payment  conditions  for  which  it  had  previously  paid  have 
been reversed by Moldova, the Commission will reduce future disbursements by an 
equivalent  amount.  The  Commission  may  be  assisted  by  experts,  including  experts 
from Member States. In the event that a request for the release of funds or a request 
for  payment  includes  a  step  related  to  Chapter  32,  referred  to  in  Article  19(2),  the 
Commission  may  not  adopt  a  decision  authorizing  the  release  of  funds  unless  it 
assesses such step positively. 

Where the Commission makes a positive assessment of the satisfactory fulfilment of 
all  applicable  conditions,  it  shall  adopt  without  undue  delay  a  decision  authorising 
the release of funds corresponding to those conditions. In respect of those amounts, 
the decision shall constitute the condition referred to in Article 10. 

Where  the  Commission  makes  a  negative  assessment  of  the  fulfilment  of  any 
conditions as per the timetable, the release of funds corresponding to such conditions 
shall be withheld. The  withheld amounts shall  be released only  when  Moldova  has 
duly justified, as part of the subsequent request for release of funds, that it has taken 
the  necessary  measures  to  ensure  satisfactory  fulfilment  of  the  corresponding 
conditions.  

Where  the  Commission  concludes  that  Moldova  has  not  taken  the  necessary 
measures within a period of 12 months from the initial negative assessment referred 
to  in  paragraph  4,  the  Commission  shall  reduce  the  amount  of  the  non-repayable 
financial  support  and  of  the  loan  proportionately  to  the  part  corresponding  to  the 
relevant payment conditions. During the first year of implementation,  a deadline of 
24 months shall apply, calculated from the initial negative assessment referred to in 
paragraph  4.  Moldova  may  present  its  observations  within  two  months  from  the 
communication to them of the Commission’s conclusions.  

Any amount corresponding to payment conditions that have not been fulfilled by 31 
December 2028 shall not be due to Moldova and shall be decommitted, or cancelled 
from the available amount of loan support, as appropriate.  

The Commission may reduce the amount of the non-repayable financial support and 
recover  from  Moldova,  including  by  offsetting,  any  amount  spent  to  achieve  the 
objectives  of  the  Facility,  or  to  reduce  the  amount  of  the  loan  to  be  disbursed  to 
Moldova  or  request  early  repayment  of  the  loan  in  accordance  with  the  loan 
agreement, in the event of funds unduly paid, identified cases of, or serious concerns 
in  relation  to,  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of  interest  affecting  the 
financial  interests  of  the  Union  that  have  not  been  corrected  by  Moldova,  or  of  a 
reversal of qualitative or quantitative steps or in cases it is found, after the payment 
has taken place, that steps were not satisfactorily fulfilled, or of a serious breach of 
an obligation resulting  from  the Facility Agreements  or from  the loan  agreements-, 
including on the basis of information provided by OLAF or of the Court of Auditors’ 
reports. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council prior 
to taking any decision of such reductions. 

8. 

By way of derogation from Article 116(2) of the Financial Regulation, the payment 
deadline as referred to in Article 116(1), point (a), of the Financial Regulation shall 

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9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

start  running  from  the  date  of  the  communication  of  the  decision  authorising  the 
disbursement to Moldova pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article. 

Article  116(5)  of  the  Financial  Regulation  shall  not  apply  to  payments  made  as 
financial  assistance,  channelled  directly  to  Moldova’s  treasury  pursuant  to  this 
Article and to Article 23 of this Regulation. 

Payments of the non-repayable financial support and of the loans under this Article 
shall  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  budget  appropriations,  as  set  in  the  annual 
budgetary procedure, and subject to the available funding, respectively. Funds shall 
be paid in instalments. An instalment may be paid in one or more tranches. 

The  amounts  shall  be  paid  following  the  decision  referred  to  in  paragraph  3  in 
accordance with the loan agreement.  

Payment  of  any  amount  of  the  support  in  the  form  of  loans  shall  be  subject  to  the 
submission  by  Moldova  of  a  request  for  payment  in  the  form  set  out  in  the  loan 
agreement, , and in accordance with the provisions set out in the Facility Agreement. 
This shall not apply to payment of pre-financing. 

Transparency with regard to persons and entities receiving funding for the implementation of 
the Reform Agenda 

Article 20  

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Moldova  shall  publish  up-to-date  data  on  final  recipients  receiving  amounts  of 
funding  exceeding  the  equivalent  of  EUR  50  000  cumulatively  over  the  period  of 
three years for the implementation of reforms and investments under this Facility. 

For  final  recipients  referred  to  in  paragraph  1,  the  following  information  shall  be 
published  in  a  machine-  readable  format  on  a  webpage,  in  order  of  total  funds 
received,  having  due  regard  to  the  requirements  of  confidentiality  and  security,  in 
particular the protection of personal data:  

(a) 

in  the  case  of  a  legal  person,  the  recipient’s  full  legal  name  and  VAT 
identification number or tax identification number, where available, or another 
unique identifier established by the legislation applicable to the legal person; 

(b) 

in the case of a natural person, the first and last name or names of the recipient; 

(c) 

the amount received by the recipient and the reforms and investments under the 
Moldova Facility that this amount contributes to implementing. 

The  information  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  shall  not  be  published  where  disclosure 
risks  threatening  the  rights  and  freedoms  of  the  final  recipients  concerned  or 
seriously  harming  their  commercial  interests.  Such  information  shall  be  made 
available to the Commission. 

Moldova shall transmit electronically to the Commission at least once a year the data 
on  the  final  recipients  referred  to  in  paragraph  1  of  this  Article,  in  a  machine-
readable  format  to  be  defined  in  the  Facility  Agreement,  as  referred  to  in  Article 
8(5)(l). 

CHAPTER IV 

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Protection of financial interests of the Union 

Article 21 

 Protection of the financial interests of the Union 

1. 

In  implementing  the  Facility,  the  Commission  and  Moldova  shall  take  all  the 
appropriate  measures  to  protect  the  financial  interests  of  the  Union,  taking  into 
account the principle of proportionality and the specific conditions under which the 
Facility will operate, the preconditions set out in Article 5(1) and conditions set out 
in the specific Facility Agreements, in particular regarding the prevention, detection 
and correction of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and irregularities as well as 
the investigation and prosecution of offences affecting the funds provided under the 
Facility.  Moldova  shall  commit  to  progressing  towards  effective  and  efficient 
management  and  control  systems  and  ensure  that  amounts  wrongly  paid  or 
incorrectly used can be recovered.  

2. 

The Facility Agreement shall provide for the following obligations of Moldova:  

(a) 

to regularly check that the financing provided has been used in accordance with 
the  applicable  rules,  in  particular  regarding  the  prevention,  detection  and 
correction of fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and irregularities;  

(b) 

to protect whistleblowers; 

(c) 

(d) 

to  take  appropriate  measures  to  prevent,  detect  and  correct  fraud,  corruption, 
conflicts  of  interest  and  irregularities  as  well  as  to  investigate  and  prosecute 
criminal  offences  affecting  the  financial  interests  of  the  Union,  to  detect  and 
avoid double funding and to take legal actions to recover funds that have been 
misappropriated,  including  in  relation  to  any  measure  for  the  implementation 
of reforms and investment  projects  or programmes under the Reform  Agenda 
and  to  take  appropriate  measures  to  treat  mutual  legal  assistance  requests  by 
EPPO and Member States’ competent authorities concerning criminal offences 
affecting the funds under the Facility, where applicable and without delay;  

for the purpose of paragraph 1, in particular for checks on the use of funds in 
relation to the implementation of reforms in the Reform Agenda, to ensure the 
collection  of,  and  access  to,  in  compliance  with  Union  data  protection 
principles and with applicable data protection rules, adequate data on persons 
and entities receiving funding, including beneficial ownership information, for 
the implementation of measures of the Reform Agenda under Chapter III;  

(e) 

to  expressly  authorise  the  Commission,  OLAF,  the  Court  of  Auditors  and, 
where applicable, EPPO to exert their rights as provided for in Article 129 of 
Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.  

The Facility Agreement shall also provide for the right of the Commission to reduce 
proportionately the amount of the non-repayable financial support provided under the 
Facility and to recover from Moldova, including by offsetting, any amount spent to 
achieve  the  objectives  of  the  Facility  and  to  reduce  the  amount  of  the  loan  to  be 
disbursed  to  the  Beneficiary  or  request  early  repayment  of  the  loan  in  accordance 
with  the  loan  agreement,  in  the  event  of  funds  unduly  paid,  identified  cases  of,  or 
serious  concerns  in  relation  to,  irregularities,  fraud,  corruption  and  conflicts  of 
interest affecting the financial interests of the Union that have not been corrected by 

3. 

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Moldova, or in cases it is found, after the payment has taken place, that steps were 
not satisfactorily fulfilled, or of a serious breach of an obligation resulting from  the 
Facility Agreement or from the loan agreement When deciding on the amount of the 
recovery  and  reduction,  or  the  amount  to  be  repaid  early,  the  Commission  shall 
respect the principle of proportionality and shall take into account the seriousness of 
the  irregularity,  fraud,  corruption  or  conflict  of  interest  affecting  the  financial 
interests  of  the  Union,  or  of  a  breach  of  an  obligation.  Moldova  shall  be  given  the 
opportunity  to  present  its  observations  before  the  reduction  is  made  or  early 
repayment is requested.  

Persons and entities implementing funds under the Facility shall report any suspected 
cases  of  fraud,  corruption,  conflicts  of  interest  and  irregularities  affecting  financial 
interests of the Union without delay, to the Commission and to OLAF. 

Article 22  

Role of Moldova’s internal systems and audit authority 

For  the  part  of  the  Facility  funding  made  available  as  financial  assistance,  the 
Commission can rely on the audit authorities established by Moldova for the purpose 
of controlling public expenditure. As appropriate, the Commission shall also rely on 
further democratic scrutiny as referred to in Article 4(9).  

The Reform Agenda shall prioritise in the first years of their implementation reforms 
related  to  negotiation  Chapter  32,  particularly  on  public  financial  management  and 
internal control, as well as on the fight against fraud, together with Chapters 23 and 
24, particularly when it comes to justice, corruption and organised crime and Chapter 
8, particularly on State aid control. 

Moldova shall report any irregularities, including fraud, which have been the subject 
of a primary administrative or judicial finding, without delay, to the Commission and 
shall keep the Commission informed of the progress of any administrative and legal 
proceedings  in  relation  to  such  irregularities.  Such  reporting  shall  be  done  by 
electronic  means,  using  the  Irregularity  Management  System,  established  by  the 
Commission.  

The entities referred to in paragraph 1 shall maintain regular dialogue with the Court 
of Auditors, OLAF and, where appropriate, EPPO.  

The  Commission  may  carry  out  detailed  systems  reviews  of  Moldova’s  budget 
implementation based on a risk-assessment and dialogue with audit authorities, and 
issue recommendations for improvements in the systems.  

The Commission may adopt recommendations to Moldova on all cases where in its 
views competent authorities have not taken the necessary steps to prevent, detect and 
correct fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and irregularities that have affected or 
seriously risk affecting the sound financial management of the expenditure financed 
under the Facility and in all cases where it identifies weaknesses affecting the design 
and functioning of the control system put in place by the those authorities. Moldova 
concerned shall implement such recommendations or provide a justification on why 
it has not done so. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

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CHAPTER V 

MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION 

Article 23 

Monitoring and reporting 

The  Commission  shall  monitor  the  implementation  of  the  Facility  and  assess  the 
achievement of the objectives set out in Article 3. The monitoring of implementation 
shall  be  targeted  and  proportionate  to  the  activities  carried  out  under  the  Facility 
Agreement,  and  shall  be  without  prejudice  to  the  reporting  requirements  set  out 
under Regulation (EU) 2021/947. The indicators referred to in Article 11(2) shall be 
expected to contribute to the Commission’s monitoring of the Facility. 

The Facility Agreement referred to in Article 8 shall set out rules and modalities for 
Moldova to report to the Commission for the purpose of paragraph 1 of this Article. 

The Commission shall provide an annual report to the European Parliament and the 
Council  on  progress  towards  the  achievement  of  the  objectives  of  this  Regulation. 
The annual report shall be complemented by presentations on the state of play of the 
implementation of the Facility twice per year. 

The  Commission  shall  provide  the  annual  report  referred  to  in  paragraph  3  to  the 
Committee referred to in Article 27(1).  

The  Commission  shall  report  on  the  progress  of  the  implementation  of  the  Reform 
Agenda  of  Moldova  in  the  context  of  the  scoreboard  established  under  Regulation 
(EU) 2024/1449.  

Article 24 

Facility scoreboard 

The  Commission  shall  establish  display  the  progress  of  the  implementation  of  the 
Reform  Agenda  in  the  Facility  scoreboard,  established  under  Regulation  (EU) 
2024/1449. 

Article 25 

Evaluation of the Facility 

After  31 December  2027  and  by  31 December  2031  at  the  latest,  the  Commission 
shall  carry  out  an  independent ex-post evaluation  of  the  Regulation.  That ex-
post evaluation  shall  assess  the  Union  contribution  to  the  achievement  of  the 
objectives of this Regulation. 

The ex-post evaluation shall make use of the good practice principles of  the OECD 
Development  Assistance  Committee,  seeking  to  ascertain  whether  the  objectives 
have  been  met  and  to  formulate  recommendations  with  a view  to  improving  future 
actions. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

1. 

2. 

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3. 

4. 

1. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

The  Commission  shall  communicate  the  findings  and  conclusions  of  the ex-
post evaluation  accompanied  by  its  observations  and  follow-up,  to  the  European 
Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Member  States.  That ex-post evaluation  may  be 
discussed  at  the  request  of  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  or  the  Member 
States. The results shall feed into the preparation of future programmes and actions 
and  resource  allocation.  That ex-post evaluation  and  follow-up  shall  be  made 
publicly available. 

The Commission shall, to an appropriate extent,  associate all relevant  stakeholders, 
including  Moldova,  social  partners,  civil  society  organisations,  in  the  evaluation 
process  of  the  Union’s  funding  provided  under  this  Regulation,  and  may,  where 
appropriate,  seek  to  undertake  joint  evaluations  with  the  Member  States  and  other 
partners with close involvement of Moldova. 

Article 26 

Reporting by Moldova in the context of the Economic and Financial Dialogue 

The beneficiary shall report once a year in the context of the Economic and Financial 
Dialogue on the progress  made in the  achievement of the  reform-related part of its 
Reform Agenda. 

CHAPTER VI  

FINAL PROVISIONS 

Article 27 

Committee procedure 

The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee, established  by the Regulation 
(EU) 2021/947.  

Where  reference  is  made  to  this  paragraph,  Article  5  of  Regulation  (EU)  No 
182/2011 shall apply. 

For implementing acts referred to in Articles 13(1) and 14(2), where the committee 
delivers no opinion, the Commission shall not adopt the draft implementing act and 
Article 5(4), third subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. 

Article 28 

Information, communication and publicity 

Without prejudice to the requirements set out under Regulation (EU) 2021/947, the 
Commission shall engage in communication activities to ensure  the visibility of the 
Union funding for the financial support envisaged in the Reform Agenda, including 
through joint communication activities with Moldova. The Commission shall ensure 
that support under the Facility is communicated and acknowledged through a funding 
statement. Actions financed under the Facility shall be carried out in accordance with 

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2. 

communication and visibility requirements in Union-financed external actions and in 
other relevant guidelines. 

The recipient of Union funding shall actively acknowledge the origin and ensure the 
visibility  of  the  Union  funding,  including,  where  applicable,  by  displaying  the 
emblem of the Union and an appropriate funding statement that reads ‘funded by the 
European  Union’,  in  particular  when  promoting  the  actions  and  their  results,  by 
providing  coherent,  effective  and  proportionate  targeted  information  to  multiple 
audiences, including the media and the public.  

3. 

Information, communication and publicity shall be provided in accessible format.  

Article 29 

Entry into force 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  following  that  of  its  publication  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Union.  

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL AND DIGITAL STATEMENT 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ................................................. 3 

Title of the proposal/initiative ...................................................................................... 3 

Policy area(s) concerned .............................................................................................. 3 

Objective(s) .................................................................................................................. 3 

1.3.1.  General objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3 

1.3.2.  Specific objective(s) ..................................................................................................... 3 

1.3.3.  Expected result(s) and impact ...................................................................................... 3 

1.3.4. 

Indicators of performance ............................................................................................ 3 

1.4. 

1.5. 

The proposal/initiative relates to: ................................................................................. 4 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative .............................................................................. 4 

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for 

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative ............................................................ 4 

1.5.2.  Added value of EU involvement (it may result from different factors, e.g. 

coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For 
the purposes of this section 'added value of EU involvement' is the value resulting 
from EU action, that is additional to the value that would have been otherwise 
created by Member States alone. ................................................................................. 4 

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past .................................................. 4 

1.5.4.  Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with 
other appropriate instruments ....................................................................................... 5 

1.5.5.  Assessment of the different available financing options, including scope for 

redeployment ................................................................................................................ 5 

1.6. 

1.7. 

2. 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.2.1. 

2.2.2. 

Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact .................................... 6 

Method(s) of budget implementation planned ............................................................. 6 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES................................................................................... 8 

Monitoring and reporting rules .................................................................................... 8 

Management and control system(s) ............................................................................. 8 

Justification of the budget implementation method(s), the funding implementation 
mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed .................. 8 

Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up 
to mitigate them............................................................................................................ 8 

2.2.3.  Estimation and justification of the cost-effectiveness of the controls (ratio between 

the control costs  and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the 
expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure) ........................................... 8 

2.3. 

3. 

3.1. 

Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities ................................................................ 9 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE ............ 10 

Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) 
affected ....................................................................................................................... 10 

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3.2. 

Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations ................................... 12 

3.2.1.  Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations.................................... 12 

3.2.1.1.  Appropriations from voted budget ............................................................................. 12 

3.2.1.2.  Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 17 

3.2.2.  Estimated output funded from operational appropriations......................................... 22 

3.2.3.  Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations ............................... 24 

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget .............................................................................. 24 

3.2.3.2.  Appropriations from external assigned revenues ....................................................... 24 

3.2.3.3.  Total appropriations ................................................................................................... 24 

3.2.4.  Estimated requirements of human resources.............................................................. 25 

3.2.4.1.  Financed from voted budget....................................................................................... 25 

3.2.4.2.  Financed from external assigned revenues ................................................................ 26 

3.2.4.3.  Total requirements of human resources ..................................................................... 26 

3.2.5.  Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments ................ 28 

3.2.6.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework.............................. 28 

3.2.7.  Third-party contributions ........................................................................................... 28 

3.3. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

Estimated impact on revenue ..................................................................................... 29 

DIGITAL DIMENSIONS .......................................................................................... 29 

Requirements of digital relevance .............................................................................. 30 

Data ............................................................................................................................ 30 

Digital solutions ......................................................................................................... 31 

Interoperability assessment ........................................................................................ 31 

Measures to support digital implementation .............................................................. 32 

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1. 

FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

1.1. 

Title of the proposal/initiative 

Proposal  for  a  Regulation  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on 
establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova. 

1.2. 

Policy area(s) concerned  

EU relations with the rest of the world  

1.3. 

Objective(s) 

1.3.1.  General objective(s) 

The strategic objectives of the Reform and Growth Facility (hereafter Facility) are to 
(a) support the enlargement process by accelerating the alignment with Union values, 
laws,  rules,  standards,  policies  and  practices  (‘acquis’)  through  the  adoption  and 
implementation  of  reforms  with  a  view  to  future  Union  membership;  (b)  support 
progressive integration of Moldova into the Union single market; and (c) accelerate 
the  socio-economic  convergence  of  Moldova’s  economy  with  the  Union.  This  will 
help  Moldova  get  a  comparable  level  of  support  as  other  candidates,  especially  as 
Moldova is not covered by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.  

1.3.2. 

Specific objective(s) 

Specific objective  

The specific objectives of the Facility shall be to:   

a) 
further strengthen the fundamentals of the enlargement process, including the 
rule  of  law  and  fundamental  rights,  the  functioning  of  democratic  institutions, 
including de-polarisation, public administration and fulfil the economic criteria; this 
includes  promoting  an  independent  judiciary,  reinforcing  security  and  stability, 
strengthening the fight against fraud and all forms of corruption, including high-level 
corruption and nepotism, organised crime, cross-border crime and money laundering 
as well  as terrorism  financing,  tax evasion  and tax fraud, tax avoidance; increasing 
compliance  with  international  law;  strengthening  freedom  and  independence  of 
media and academic freedom; combating  hate speech;  enabling an environment for 
civil  society,  fostering  social  dialogue;  promoting  gender  equality,  gender 
mainstreaming  and  the  empowerment  of  women  and  girls,  non-discrimination  and 
tolerance,  to  ensure  and  strengthen  respect  for  the  rights  of  refugees  and  persons 
belonging to minorities, including national minorities and Roma, as well as rights of 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; 

b)  move towards full alignment of Moldova with the Union Common Foreign and 
Security Policy (CFSP), including Union restrictive measures;  

fight  disinformation  and  Foreign  Information  Manipulation  and  Interference 

c) 
against the Union and its values; 

d)  move towards harmonisation of visa policies with the Union;  

e) 
reinforce the effectiveness of public administration, build capacities and invest 
in administrative staff in Moldova; ensure access to information, public scrutiny and 
the involvement of civil society in decision-making processes; support transparency, 
accountability,  structural  reforms  and  good  governance  at  all  levels,  including  as 

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regards their powers of oversight  and inquiry over the distribution of and access to 
public  funds  as  well  as  in  the  areas  of  public  financial  management  and  public 
procurement  and  State  aid  control;  support  initiatives  and  bodies  involved  in 
supporting and enforcing international justice in Moldova;  

accelerate  the  transition  of  Moldova  to  sustainable,  climate-neutral  and 
f) 
inclusive economy,  that is  capable of withstanding competitive market  pressures of 
the  Union  single  market,  and  to  a  stable  investment  environment  and  reduce  its 
strategic dependency;  

foster  economic  integration  of  Moldova  with  the  Union  single  market,  in 

g) 
particular through increased trade and investment flows, and resilient value chains; 

h) 
support enhanced integration with the Union single market through improved 
and sustainable connectivity in line with trans-European networks to reinforce good 
neighbourly relations, as well as people-to-people contact; 

i) 
accelerate the inclusive and sustainable green transition to climate neutrality by 
2050, in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal and covering all 
economic  sectors,  particularly  energy,  including  the  transition  towards  a  de-
carbonised,  climate-neutral,  climate-resilient  and  circular  economy,  while  ensuring 
that investments respect the ‘do no significant harm’ principle;  

promote  the  digital  transformation  and  digital  skills  as  an  enabler  of 

j) 
sustainable development and inclusive growth;  

k)    boost  innovation,  research,  and  cooperation  between  academic  institutions  and 
industry  in  support  of  the  green  and  digital  transitions,  promoting  local  industries 
with  a  particular  emphasis  on  locally  based  micro,  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises and start-ups;  

l) 
boost quality education, training, reskilling and upskilling at all levels, with a 
particular focus on youth, including tackling youth unemployment, preventing brain 
drain  and  supporting  vulnerable  communities,  including  refugees,  and  support 
employment  policies,  including  labour  rights,  in  line  with  the  European  Pillar  of 
Social Rights, and fighting poverty. 

1.3.3.  Expected result(s) and impact 

Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. 

Support under the Facility is expected to enable Moldova to implement reforms and 
investments  needed  to  make  its  economy  more  competitive  and  increasing  its 
convergence  with  the  Union.  The  implementation  of  the  Facility  should  also 
reinforce  internal  control  and  public  finance  management  systems  in  Moldova,  as 
well as the implementation of fundamentals of the enlargement process, in particular 
related  to  rule  of  law  and  fight  against  corruption,  fraud  and  organised  crime.  It  is 
expected to support Moldova in accessing earlier on the benefits of the EU’s single 
market and facilitate its integration into the EU.   

1.3.4. 

Indicators of performance 

Specify the indicators for monitoring progress and achievements. 

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Specific  indicators  will  be  defined  in  Reform  Agenda.  Those  indicators  should  be 
based  on  internationally  agreed  indicators.  The  indicators  should  be  relevant, 
accepted, credible, easy, and robust.  

1.4. 

The proposal/initiative relates to:  

 a new action  
 a new action following a pilot project / preparatory action5  

 the extension of an existing action  

 a merger or redirection of one or more actions towards another/a new action 

1.5. 

Grounds for the proposal/initiative  

1.5.1.  Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for 

roll-out of the implementation of the initiative 

Moldova’s economic output and competitiveness lags behind that of the EU average 
despite its progress on the EU accession path. There is an urgent need to ensure that 
it receives comparable support as other accession countries negotiating with the EU 
to support both the socioeconomic convergence as well as the implementation of the 
broader enlargement agenda.  

In  order  to  fully  benefit  from  the  opportunities  of  the  Growth  Plan,  Moldova  will 
prepare a Reform Agenda, which will set out the key measures the country intends to 
undertake  during 
to  accelerate  socio-economic  and 
convergence with the EU. The Reform Agenda will be consulted with, assessed and 
also approved by the Commission.   

the  period  2025-2027 

The  Reform  Agenda  will  be  consistent  with  the  country’s  growth  strategy  and 
aligned  with  its  enlargement  path.  It  will  bring  forward  key  fundamental  reforms 
identified  in  the  accession  process  as  well  as  a central  socio-economic  reforms 
addressing  structural  deficiencies  in  the  country’s  growth  trajectory,  which  will  be 
integrated in the Reform Agenda.    

Serving as the centrepiece of the Growth Plan, the Facility will then introduce strong 
conditionality  as  disbursements  of  EU  funding  will  be  conditioned  to  the  progress 
achieved,  in  particular  in  relation  to  enhancing  socio-economic  convergence  and 
competitiveness as well as in the area of the fundamentals.   

As  for  the  Western  Balkans  Growth  Plan,  the  new  Facility  will  be  implemented 
through delivery mechanisms that have been selected to maximise fast achievement 
of  reforms  and  related  investments,  while  maintaining  necessary  controls  and 
minimising  the  administrative  burden  for  the  Commission,  Moldova  and  other 
implementing  partners.  The  support  will  be  provided  through  three  delivery 
mechanisms: 1) Direct support to the national budgets of the Moldova 2) Support to 
investments through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) and 3) remaining 
non-repayable support.  

Direct  disbursements  to  the  national  budgets  and  making  funds  available  for  the 
submission  of  investment  proposals  will  be  subject  to  progress  and  fulfilment  of 
payment  conditions  specified  in  the  Reform  Agenda.  Payment  conditions  will  take 
the  form  of  a  set  of  qualitative  and  quantitative  steps  and  a  related  timeline  for 
disbursements linked to specific socio-economic reforms to stimulate growth, put the 

5 

As referred to in Article 58(2), point (a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation. 

EN 

5 

  EN 

 
country on a sustainable convergence path and orientate it towards specific reforms 
related  to  fundamentals  of  the  enlargement  process  including  rule  of  law,  fight 
against  corruption  and  organised  crime.  Following  the  decision  on  the  approval  of 
the Reform Agendas by the Commission (via a Commission Implementing Decision) 
and the conclusion of  a Facility and a Loan Agreements, Moldova will be eligible to 
receive prefinancing.  

Macro  financial  stability,  sound  public  financial  management,  transparency  and 
oversight  of  the  budget  are  general  conditions  for  payments  that  have  to  be 
fulfilled for a release of funds. Payments will occur according to a fixed semi-annual 
schedule,  based  on  duly  justified  requests  for  the  release  of  funds  submitted  by 
Moldova  and  following  verification  by  the  Commission  of  the  achievement  of  the 
relevant  payment  conditions.  In  case  the  payment  conditions  are  not  met,  the 
Commission will suspend or deduct a corresponding amount from the payment.   

The disbursement of the corresponding suspended funds may take place  during the 
12  months  after  the  original  deadline  set  out  in  the  Reform  Agenda,  provided  the 
payment conditions have been fulfilled.  

The  investments  foreseen  in  the  Reform  Agendas  will  be  supported  via  the  NIP. 
Related  projects  or  programmes  will  only  be  submitted  to  NIP  Board  for  opinion 
following  the  Commission  assessment  of  fulfilment  of  the  relevant  payment 
conditions.   

1.5.2.  Added  value  of  EU  involvement  (it  may  result  from  different  factors,  e.g. 
coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For 
the  purposes  of  this  section  'added  value  of  EU  involvement'  is  the  value  resulting 
from  EU  action,  that  is  additional  to  the  value  that  would  have  been  otherwise 
created by Member States alone. 

Action at Union level is necessary to achieve accelerated economic convergence of 
Moldova  with  the  EU  on  its  way  to  potential  Union  membership.  The  size  of  the 
necessary  assistance  is  such  that  Moldova  continues  to  require  sustained  external 
support that no Member State, or single donor, could provide alone. The Union is in 
a unique position to deliver multi-annual external assistance to Moldova in a timely, 
coordinated  and  predictable  manner.  The  Union  can  also  leverage  its  borrowing 
capacity to lend to Moldova on advantageous terms as well as providing grants in a 
multi-annual perspective. 

1.5.3.  Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past 

The  Facility  will  build  on  the  lessons  learned  from  the  Recovery  and  Resilience 
Facility,  which  was  established  in  2020,  as  well  as  from  a  more  recently  proposed 
Ukraine Facility which was adopted in February 2024. Most importantly, the Facility 
mirrors upon the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, proposed in 
November 2023 and adopted in May 2024. In order to treat all candidates equally, it 
reflects,  as closely  as possible, the Regulation  establishing  the Reform  and Growth 
Facility  for  the  Western  Balkans  in  its  final  form,  in  order  to  already  take  into 
account all possible comments and additions from the co-legislators as well as other 
Commission  services.  The  Facility  is  using  existing  mechanisms,  namely  direct 
financial assistance similar to  budget  support and the NIP for investments. Both  of 
these instruments have proved that EU funding can offer considerable leverage when 
used together with funding from other donors in blending contexts. 

EN 

6 

  EN 

1.5.4.  Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with 

other appropriate instruments 

The  proposed  Facility  aims  at  equipping  the  Union  with  a  legal  instrument  which 
will allow it to support greater socio-economic convergence of Moldova on its route 
towards  Union  membership.  The  overall  amount  of  the  Facility  is  to  be  provided 
through  loans  and  non-repayable  support.  The  non-repayable  support  should  be 
financed from the envelope allocated to the Neighbourhood geographic programme 
under Article 6(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/947. All provisions under NDICI-GE 
continue  to  apply,  unless  otherwise  mentioned  in  this  Regulation.    Support  in  the 
form  of loans shall be available for an  amount of up to  EUR  1 500 million for the 
period from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2029. That amount shall not constitute part of 
the amount of the External Action Guarantee within the meaning of Article 31(4) of 
Regulation  (EU)  2021/947.  The  loans  will  be  guaranteed  through  the  Common 
Provisioning Fund at the provisioning rate of 9%.  

1.5.5.  Assessment  of  the  different  available  financing  options,  including  scope  for 

redeployment 

The  Union  budget  is  already  providing  support  to  the  preparation  for  possible  EU 
accession  to  other  candidate  countries  through  the  Instrument  of  Pre-Accession 
Assistance (IPA III), which covers the Western Balkans and Türkiye, and is based on 
grants,  blending  and  budgetary  guarantees.  In  parallel,  the  Reform  and  Growth 
Facility for the Western Balkans targets accelerated socio-economic convergence of 
Western  Balkans  only,  and  is  based  on  a  different  approach,  establishing  a  strong 
link between fulfilment of reform commitments and access to funding.   

Moldova  is  currently  engaged  in  accession  negotiations,  yet  still  covered  by  the 
NDICI-GE without a dedicated instrument addressing the particular additional needs 
stemming  from  the  pre-accession  assistance.  With  the  new  momentum  for 
enlargement,  it  is  important  for  Moldova  to  be  provided  a  comparable  level  of 
support to prepare it for its possible future accession. Due to the advanced stage of 
implementation of the IPA III instrument, it is not possible to reopen the instrument 
for other candidates, notwithstanding the fact that provision of loans is not possible 
under  the  instrument.  That  is  why  a  new  instrument  is  needed  to  provide  a  similar 
level of support in terms of funding and modalities as for the Western Balkans and 
Ukraine.   

To  ensure  smooth  and  transparent  implementation  of  any  investments  identified 
under the Reform Agenda, the Commission intends to use the tested methodology of 
the  Neighbourhood  Investment  Platform,  while  maintaining  the  conditionalities 
mentioned above.   

EN 

7 

  EN 

1.6. 

Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact 

 limited duration  

–    in effect from [DD/MM]YYYY to [DD/MM]YYYY  

–    financial impact  from  2025 to  2027 for commitment  appropriations and from 

2025 for payment appropriations.  

 unlimited duration 

–  Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY, 

–  followed by full-scale operation. 

1.7.  Method(s) of budget implementation planned6  

 Direct management by the Commission 

–   by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;  

–    by the executive agencies  

 Shared management with the Member States  

 Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to: 

–   third countries or the bodies they have designated 

–   international organisations and their agencies (to be specified) 

–   the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund 

–   bodies referred to in Articles 70 and 71 of the Financial Regulation 

–   public law bodies 

–   bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that 

they are provided with adequate financial guarantees 

–   bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with 
the  implementation  of  a  public-private  partnership  and  that  are  provided  with 
adequate financial guarantees 

–   bodies or persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the 
common  foreign  and  security  policy  pursuant  to  Title  V  of  the  Treaty  on 
European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act 

–  bodies  established  in  a  Member  State,  governed  by  the  private  law  of  a 
Member  State  or  Union  law  and  eligible  to  be  entrusted,  in  accordance  with 
sector-specific  rules,  with  the  implementation  of  Union  funds  or  budgetary 
guarantees,  to  the extent that such bodies are controlled by public law bodies or 
by bodies governed by private law with a public service mission, and are provided 
with adequate financial guarantees in the form of joint and several liability by the 
controlling bodies or equivalent financial guarantees and which may be, for each 
action, limited to the maximum amount of the Union support. 

6 

Details of budget implementation methods and references to the Financial Regulation may be found on 
the BUDGpedia site: https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/corp/budget/financial-rules/budget-
implementation/Pages/implementation-methods.aspx. 

EN 

8 

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2. 

MANAGEMENT MEASURES  

2.1.  Monitoring and reporting rules  

Specific  quantitative  and  qualitative  steps  will  be  defined  in  the  Reform  Agenda 
(approved by the Commission in an implementing decision), so that the fulfilment of 
the payment conditions can be monitored. Moldova will submit a semi-annual duly 
justified  request  for  the  release  of  the  non-repayable  financial  support  and  of  the 
loan,  setting  out  how  the  satisfactory  fulfilment  of  those  conditions  has  been 
achieved, based on quantitative and qualitative steps identified in the implementing 
decision.  In  addition,  the  Facility  Agreement  concluded  with  Moldova  will  set  out 
reporting  and  monitoring  indicators  that  should  allow  monitoring  and  reporting 
progress  on  the  general  and  specific  objectives  of  the  Facility  more  widely.  The 
Commission  will  report  annually  to  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council,  and  the 
Committee referred to in Article 27 on the implementation of funds provided under 
the  Facility  as  well  as  the  progress  towards  objectives.  The  Commission  will  also 
carry out an ex-post evaluation of the Regulation.  

2.2.  Management and control system(s)  

2.2.1. 

Justification  of  the  budget  implementation  method(s),  the  funding  implementation 
mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed 

The Facility will be implemented under direct and indirect management. Part will be 
direct  management  with  direct  transfer  of  funds  to  the  state  budget  of  Moldova, 
while  a  specific  part  will  be  made  available  by  Moldova  to  investment  projects 
approved under the NIP.   

The control strategy will be adapted to the implementation under each of these pillars 
with  use  of  monitoring,  evaluation  and  audits.  Special  attention  will  be  paid  to 
implementation of the funds made available to Moldova as direct financial assistance 
and to monitoring of the obligation of Moldova to provide a pre-defined percentage 
to  projects  approved  under  NIP.  Release  of  Funds  will  occur  according  to  a  fixed 
semi-annual  schedule,  based  on  requests  submitted  by  Moldova  and  following 
verification by the Commission of the fulfilment of the relevant payment conditions. 
The  multilayer  structure  of  the  control  mechanisms  in  place  provides  an  integrated 
framework  to  ensure  that  all  the  appropriate  measures  to  protect  the  financial 
interests  of  the  Union  are  in  place.  It  will  guarantee  that  the  principle  of 
proportionality  is  taken  into  account  and  the  specific  conditions  under  which  the 
Facility  will  operate.  Moreover,  measures  under  the  Reform  Agenda  should 
contribute to improving an efficient public financial management and control system, 
money laundering, tax avoidance, tax evasion, fraud and organised crime and to an 
effective system of State aid control, with the aim of ensuring fair conditions for all 
undertakings. The Reform Agenda will contain a description of such systems as well 
as  specific  steps  related  to  Chapter  32  in  order  to  support  Moldova  in  bringing  its 
audit  and  controls  requirements  in  line  with  Union  standards.  In  the  event  that  a 
request for the release of funds includes a step related to Chapter 32, the Commission 
will not adopt a decision authorising the release of funds unless it assesses such step 
positively.   

EN 

9 

  EN 

2.2.2. 

Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up 
to mitigate them 

The main risk identified in relation to the financing relates to the non-achievement of 
payment  conditions  associated  to  the  disbursement  of  funding.  The  measures  that 
will be put in place to mitigate this risk are the following:   

-assessment by the Commission of the fulfilment of the relevant payment conditions 
before the disbursement of funds, with possibility of withholding the funds;   

-reduction  or  withholding  of  support  provided,  or  recovery  of  any  amount  spent  to 
achieve the objectives of the Facility, in cases of irregularities, fraud, corruption and 
conflicts of interests affecting the financial interests of the Union that have not been 
corrected  by  Moldova,  or  of  a  serious  breach  of  an  obligation  resulting  from  the 
agreements concluded with Moldova;   

-suspension of funding in the event that Moldova fails to fulfil the preconditions set 
out in Article 5.  

- in the event that a request for the release of funds includes a step related to Chapter 
32, the Commission will not adopt a decision authorizing the release of funds unless 
it assesses such step positively.  

2.2.3.  Estimation  and  justification  of  the  cost-effectiveness  of  the  controls  (ratio  between 
the control costs  and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the 
expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure)  

Financial  contribution  will  be  provided  to  Moldova  in  the  form  of  financing  not 
linked to cost referred to in point (a) of Article 125(1) of the Financial Regulation.   

2.3.  Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  

The proposal contains specific provisions for the protection of the financial interests 
of  the  Union.  The  Facility  will  be  equipped  with  a  strong  system  of  audit  and 
controls  set  out  in  a  multilayer  mechanism:  the  reform  of  the  audit  and  control 
systems  of  Moldova  will  be  included  as  part  of  the  reforms  under  the  Reform 
Agendas; in addition, the Commission may carry out detailed systems reviews of the 
national  budget  implementation  based  on  a  risk-assessment  and  dialogue  with 
National  Audit  Authorities,  and  issue  recommendations  for  improvements  in  the 
systems.  Moreover,  in  accordance  with  Regulation  (EU,  Euratom)  2024/2509, 
OLAF, the Court of Auditors and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), 
shall  have  the  necessary  rights  and  access  to  perform  their  respective  roles.  The 
investment  part  of  the  Facility  will  be  implemented  with  international  financial 
institutions based on the pillar assessments and framework agreements with them. 

EN 

10 

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3. 

3.1. 

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE  

Heading(s)  of  the  multiannual  financial  framework  and  expenditure  budget 
line(s) affected  

•  Existing budget lines  

In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines. 

Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework  

Number 

Budget line  

Type of   
expenditure  

Contribution   

Diff./Non-
diff.3  

from EFTA 
countries4  

from 
candidate 
countries and 
potential 
candidates5  

fromother 
third 
countries  

other assigned 
revenue  

14.01.01.01 Support expenditure for 
the  Neighbourhood,  Development 
and 
Cooperation 
International 
Instrument — Global Europe  
14.02.01.11 
Neighbourhood  
14.02.01.70  NDICI  —  Global 
the 
Europe  —  Provisioning  of 
common provisioning fund  

Eastern 

6  

6  

6  

Non-diff.  
Diff  
Diff  

NO  
NO  
NO  

NO  
NO  
NO  

NO  
NO  
NO  

NO  
NO  
NO  

EN 

11 

  EN 

  
  
 
 
 
 
  
3.2. 

Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations  

3.2.1. 

Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations  

–    The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational appropriations  

–    The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below 

3.2.1.1.  Appropriations from voted budget 

Heading of multiannual financial framework  

6 

Neighbourhood and the World 

DG: NEAR 

 Operational appropriations  

14.02.01.118 

14.02.01.70 

Year 
20257 

Year 
2026 

Year 
2027 

TOTAL 

Commitments 

Payments 

Commitments 

Payments 

(1a) 

(2a) 

(1b) 

(2b) 

93.600 
p. m. 
45.000 
p. m. 

93.600 
p. m. 
45.000 
p. m. 

93.600 
p. m. 
45.000 
p. m. 

280.800 
p. m. 
135.000 
p. m. 

Appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature  financed  from  the 
envelope of specific programmes9  

14.01.01.01 

(3) 

1.400 

1.400 

1.400 

4.200 

TOTAL appropriations 
for DG NEAR 

Commitments 

Payments 

=1a+1b 
+3 

=2a+2b 

+3 

140.000  140.000  140.000 

420.000 

p. m. 

p. m. 

p. m. 

p. m. 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

7 

8 
9 

Year N is the year in which implementation of the proposal/initiative starts. Please replace "N" by the expected first year of implementation (for instance: 2021). The same for the 
following years. 
According to the official budget nomenclature. 
Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct research. 

EN 

12 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 TOTAL operational appropriations  

Commitments 

Payments 

  TOTAL  appropriations  of  an  administrative  nature 
financed from the envelope for specific programmes  

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

138.600  138.600  138.600 

415.800 

p. m. 

p. m. 

p. m. 

1.400 

1.400 

1.400 

4.200 

TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADING 6 
of the multiannual financial framework 

Commitments 

=4+ 6 

140.000  140.000  140.000 

420.000 

Payments 

=5+ 6 

p. m. 

p. m. 

p. m. 

p. m. 

Heading of multiannual financial  framework  

7 

‘Administrative expenditure’10 

DG NEAR 

 Human resources  
 Other administrative expenditure  

TOTAL DG NEAR 

Appropriations  

Year 

2024 

Year 

2025 

Year 

2026 

Year 

2027 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

TOTAL 
MFF 2021-
2027 

1.068 

0.000 

1.068 

TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 7 of the multiannual financial 
framework  

(Total 
commitments 
= Total 
payments) 

0.000 

0.356 

0.356 

0.356 

1.068 

TOTAL appropriations under HEADINGS 1 to 7 

Commitments 

0.000 

140.356 

140.356 

140.356 

421.068 

EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Year 

2024 

Year 

2025 

Year 

2026 

Year 

2027 

TOTAL MFF 
2021-2027 

10 

The necessary appropriations should be determined using the annual average cost figures available on the appropriate BUDGpedia webpage. 

EN 

13 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
of the multiannual financial framework  

Payments 

0.000 

140.356 

140.356 

140.356 

421.068 

3.2.2.  Estimated output funded from operational appropriations (not to be completed for decentralised agencies) 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

General objectives 

Year 
2025 

Year 
2026 

Year 
2027 

TOTAL 

(a) Support the enlargement process by accelerating the alignment 
with  Union  values,  laws,  rules,  standards,  policies  and  practices 
(‘acquis’)  through  the  adoption  and  implementation  of  reforms 
with a view to future Union membership  
(b) Support progressive integration of Moldova into the Union 
single market 
(c)  Accelerate  the  socio-economic  convergence  of  Moldova’s 
economy with the Union 

138.600 

138.600 

138.600 

415.800 

TOTAL appropriations 

138.600 

138.600 

138.600 

415.800 

EN 

14 

EN 

 
 
3.2.3. 

Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations  

–    The  proposal/initiative  does  not  require  the  use  of  appropriations  of  an 

administrative nature  

–   The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative 

nature, as explained below 

3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget 

VOTED APPROPRIATIONS 

Year 

2024 

Year 

2025 

Year 

2026 

Year 

2027 

TOTAL 
2021 - 2027 

HEADING 7 

Human resources  

Other administrative expenditure  

Subtotal HEADING 7 

Outside HEADING 7 

Human resources  

Other expenditure of an administrative nature 

Subtotal outside HEADING 7 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

0.661 

0.739 
1.400 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

0.661 

0.739 
1.400 

0.356 

0.000 
0.356 

0.661 

0.739 
1.400 

1.068 

0.000 

1.068 

1.983 

2.217 

4.200 

TOTAL 

0.000 

1.756 

1.756 

1.756 

5.268 

The  appropriations  required  for  human  resources  and  other  expenditure  of  an  administrative  nature 
will  be  met  by  appropriations  from  the  DG  that  are  already  assigned  to  management  of  the  action 
and/or  have  been  redeployed  within  the  DG,  together,  if  necessary,  with  any  additional  allocation 
which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of 
budgetary constraints. The figures above represent additional needs of DG NEAR. 

Description of tasks to be carried out: 

Officials and temporary staff 

The FTEs will work on the policy development, legal issues, with particular focus on 
procurement matters, financial management, contract management, audit, monitoring, 
reporting and evaluation. 2 AD 

External staff 

3  in  HQ  and  2  in  Delegation  Moldova.  The  FTEs  sought  will  work  on  the  policy 
development,  legal  issues,  with  particular  focus  on  procurement  matters,  financial 
management, contract management, audit, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. 

3.2.4.  Estimated requirements of human resources  

–    The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources  

–   The  proposal/initiative  requires  the  use  of  human  resources,  as  explained 

below 

3.2.4.1.  Financed from voted budget 

Estimate to be expressed in full-time equivalent units (FTEs)11 

11 

Please specify below the table how many FTEs within the number indicated are already assigned to the 
management of the action and/or can be redeployed within your DG and what are your net needs. 

EN 

15 

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VOTED APPROPRIATIONS 

Year 

2024 

Year 

2025 

Year 

2026 

Year 

2027 

 Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff) 

20 01 02 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s Representation Offices) 

20 01 02 03 (EU Delegations) 

01 01 01 01 (Indirect research) 

01 01 01 11 (Direct research) 

Other budget lines (specify) 

• External staff (in FTEs) 

20 02 01 (AC, END from the ‘global envelope’) 

20 02 03 (AC, AL, END and JPD in the EU Delegations) 

Admin. Support 
line 
[14.01.01.01] 

- at Headquarters 

- in EU Delegations  

01 01 01 02 (AC, END - Indirect research) 

 01 01 01 12 (AC, END - Direct research) 

Other budget lines (specify) - Heading 7 

Other budget lines (specify) - Outside Heading 7 

TOTAL 

The staff required to implement the proposal (in FTEs):  

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

To be covered by 
current staff 
available in the 
Commission 
services 

Exceptional additional staff* 

To be financed 
under Heading 7 

To be financed 
from BA line 

To be financed 
from fees 

Establishment 
plan posts 

External 
staff 
(CA, SNEs, INT) 

N/A 

N/A 

Description of tasks to be carried out by: 

N/A 

N/A 

2 

5 

N/A 

N/A 

Officials and temporary staff 

The FTEs will work on the policy development, legal issues, with particular focus on 
procurement matters, financial management, contract management, audit, monitoring, 
reporting and evaluation. 2 AD 

External staff 

3  in  HQ  and  2  in  Delegation  Moldova.  The  FTEs  sought  will  work  on  the  policy 
development,  legal  issues,  with  particular  focus  on  procurement  matters,  financial 
management, contract management, audit, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. 

3.2.5.  Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments 

Compulsory: the best estimate of the digital technology-related investments entailed 
by the proposal/initiative should be included in the table below.  

EN 

16 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
Exceptionally,  when  required  for  the  implementation  of  the  proposal/initiative,  the 
appropriations under Heading 7 should be presented in the designated line.  

The appropriations under Headings 1-6 should be reflected as “Policy IT expenditure 
on operational programmes”. This expenditure refers to the operational budget to be 
used to re-use/ buy/ develop IT platforms/ tools directly linked to the implementation 
of the initiative and their associated investments (e.g. licences, studies, data storage 
etc).  The  information  provided  in  this  table  should  be  consistent  with  details 
presented under Section 4 “Digital dimensions”. 

TOTAL Digital and IT appropriations 

Year 

Year 

Year 

Year 

2024 

2025 

2026 

2027 

TOTAL 
MFF 
2021 - 
2027 

HEADING 7 

IT expenditure (corporate)  

Subtotal HEADING 7 

Outside HEADING 7 

Policy IT expenditure on operational 
programmes 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

Subtotal outside HEADING 7 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

TOTAL 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

0.000 

3.2.6.  Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  

The proposal/initiative: 

–    can be fully financed through redeployment within the relevant heading of the 

multiannual financial framework (MFF) 

–    requires use of the unallocated margin under the relevant heading of the MFF 

and/or use of the special instruments as defined in the MFF Regulation 

–    requires a revision of the MFF 

3.2.7.  Third-party contributions  

The proposal/initiative: 

–    does not provide for co-financing by third parties 

–    provides for the co-financing by third parties estimated below: 

Appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Year  
2024 

Year  
2025 

Year  
2026 

Year  
2027 

Total 

Specify the co-financing body  

TOTAL appropriations co-
financed  

EN 

17 

  EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3. 

Estimated impact on revenue  

–   The proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue. 

–    The proposal/initiative has the following financial impact: 

–   on own resources  

–   on other revenue 

–   please indicate, if the revenue is assigned to expenditure lines 

Appropriations 
available for the 
current financial 
year 

     EUR million (to three decimal places) 

Impact of the proposal/initiative12 

Year 2024 

Year 2025  Year 2026 

Year 2027 

Budget revenue line: 

Article …………. 

For assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected. 

Other  remarks  (e.g.  method/formula  used  for  calculating  the  impact  on  revenue  or 
any other information). 

4. 

DIGITAL DIMENSIONS 

4.1. 

Requirements of digital relevance 

4.2. 

Data 

4.3. 

Digital solutions 

4.4. 

Interoperability assessment 

4.5.  Measures to support digital implementation 

12 

As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net 
amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 20% for collection costs. 

EN 

18 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EN 

19 

  EN