Moldova in the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine
Moldova is the only prioritised neighbouring country in the Norwegian Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.
Norwegian support to the Republic of Moldova has been stepped up as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion, Moldova has faced a refugee crisis, an energy crisis, high inflation, and a demanding security situation. In addition, the negotiations on EU membership place demands on the country's government. Through the Nansen Support Programme, Norway supports the Moldovan state in handling these crises and contributes to good governance, reforms and closer cooperation with the rest of Europe.
Between 2022 and 2025, Norway has allocated approximately NOK 1.4 billion in long-term support to Moldova to strengthen energy security, civil resilience, and ensure progress in European integration, reforms, and good governance. In addition, Norway contributed a total of NOK 746 million to the humanitarian refugee response in Moldova over the same period. This support has been developed in close dialogue with Moldovan authorities.
Priority areas in Norway's efforts:
Energy
Good governance, democracy and reforms
Civil society, independent media, and countering disinformation
Education
Humanitarian Support
The Nansen Support Programme for Moldova from 2022 til 2025:
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Total 2022-2024 |
2025 (So far) |
Total 2022- |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total year | NOK 287 million |
NOK 795 million |
NOK 549 million |
NOK 1.6 billion |
NOK 500 million |
NOK 2.1 billion |
| Humanitarian aid |
NOK 137 million |
NOK 275 million |
NOK 198,6 million |
NOK 610.5 million |
NOK 149.6 million |
NOK 760 million |
| Energy sector | NOK 410 million |
NOK 170.8 million |
NOK 580.8 million |
NOK 186,2 million |
NOK 767 million |
|
| Governance and reforms |
NOK 150 million |
NOK 110 million |
NOK 98.6 million |
NOK 359 million |
NOK 61,2 million |
NOK 420,2 million |
| Civil society, media, and countering disinformation |
NOK 15.6 million |
NOK 15.6 million |
NOK 28,6 million |
NOK 44,2 million |
||
| Education | NOK 65 million |
NOK 65 million |
NOK 74 million |
NOK 139 million |
A total of approximately NOK 2.1 billion / approx. EUR 181 million allocated to Moldova through the civilian part of the Nansen Support Programme, excluding Norwegian EEA support.
2025 are still preliminary figures. This article will be continuously updated.
See the full overview of the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine and the region from 2022 to 2025.
Energy
Previously, Moldova was almost entirely dependent on Russian energy. Although this dependence has been significantly reduced in recent years, there remains a need to further strengthen energy independence, both through improved energy efficiency, better transmission capacity for electricity imports from EU countries, and increased investment in domestic renewable energy production. Independence from Russian energy has also led to higher energy prices. In winter 2025, nearly 150,000 vulnerable households received support from Norway via UNDP to compensate for heating expenses.
Norwegian support for increased energy efficiency in public and private buildings helps to reduce consumption, so that municipalities, the state, and private households pay less for electricity and heating. Through GIZ, Norway supports energy efficiency measures in smaller multi-apartment buildings as well as the replacement of inefficient household appliances. Furthermore, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with support from Norway, is establishing a credit line with Moldovan banks to improve access for households to loans for energy efficiency improvements. Norway also supports the multi-donor fund E5P, which promotes green development in the public and municipal sectors in areas such as district heating, waste management, and infrastructure energy efficiency.
In 2023, Norway, in cooperation with EBRD, provided NOK 400 million to Moldova for the purchase of gas. This ensured a stable heating supply by allowing the state energy provider Energocom to buy gas at more favourable prices during the summer, thus avoiding further price increases for consumers. The Norwegian support and the EBRD loan together accounted for 73% of Moldova’s annual gas consumption in 2024.
Moldova is among the countries in Europe most affected by climate change. Norway, together with Sweden and UNDP, supports the preparedness of Moldovan local communities for climate change and climate-smart solutions for women-led small businesses. Support also goes to establishing the first renewable energy communities in Moldova, which represent a sustainable and decentralised solution for energy sharing.
Good governance, democracy and reforms
EU membership negotiations demand significant reforms from the Moldovan authorities. Through the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, Norway supports good governance reforms in Moldova and closer cooperation with the rest of Europe.
In 2023–2024, Norway allocated NOK 160 million to the World Bank’s multi-donor fund Moldova Growth, Resilience and Opportunities for Wellbeing (M-GROW), which provides Moldovan authorities with support for critical investments, improved competitiveness, strengthened institutions, and increased energy efficiency. Norway also supports reform efforts through the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Moldova, focusing on rule of law, democracy, and human rights. This support amounted to NOK 8 million in 2024.
Norway supports free and fair elections in Moldova by strengthening the Moldovan Electoral Commission in cooperation with UNDP and other donors. In 2024, the Electoral Commission carried out its largest voter education campaign ever, reaching 2.4 million people. A record number of election officials received training, and the Commission was better equipped to withstand cyberattacks. Norway allocated around NOK 18 million to election support in Moldova in 2024.
Civil society, independent media, and countering disinformation
Moldova is a target for Russian hybrid warfare and disinformation, seeking to undermine the country’s stability. In 2024, Norway provided around NOK 15 million to counter disinformation in Moldova through partners International Media Support (IMS) and Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), who work with local civil society and independent media outlets. With a focus on coordination and collaboration, the local partners produce fact-based content aimed at prebunking disinformation before it gains traction.
Norad is also working in 2025 to expand Norwegian support to local civil society organisations in Moldova to strengthen democratic participation and good governance.
Education
Education is an important sector for Norwegian support to Moldova in the coming years. Teacher shortages, emigration, and declining pupil numbers especially affect rural areas, with significant disparities in results between urban and rural schools. Despite Moldova investing more in education than the EU average as a percentage of GDP, the latest PISA survey shows that Moldovan students score below the OECD average in reading, writing, and mathematics. Many school buildings have not been renovated since they were built during the Soviet era and lack adequate hygiene facilities.
In 2024, Norway signed a four-year agreement with UNDP for a comprehensive effort to improve the quality of school education in Moldova, in close collaboration with Moldovan authorities. This is part of a larger reform, in which several schools will be upgraded with new infrastructure and outdoor areas, together with measures to improve the quality of teaching. This involves revising national curricula and strengthening teacher’s training and school management. In the initiative supported by Norway, five schools will be renovated, while mathematics and science in particular will be strengthened. A partnership has also been established with Tallinn University to strengthen school management and improving the overall learning environment. Norwegian support for this initiative amounted to NOK 65 million in 2024. In addition, part of the Norwegian support through the E5P and M-GROW funds goes to energy efficiency upgrades in schools and kindergartens to ensure a better learning environment for pupils and teachers in Moldova.
Humanitarian Support
Since February 2022, around 1.8 million Ukrainians have crossed the border into Moldova. As of March 2025, Moldova was host to 127,000 Ukrainian refugees according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Half of these are children. With a population of 2.4 million, Moldova has taken in the most Ukrainian refugees per capita, despite being one of Europe’s poorest countries. Moldova is a special neighbouring country in the UN-coordinated humanitarian response, as vulnerable locals receive support alongside refugees from Ukraine.
Norway is among the largest humanitarian donors in Moldova. According to the UN, around 100,000 people received humanitarian support in Moldova in 2024. The support included acute needs such as food, clothing and cash transfers, access to services like health and education, as well as assistance with legal matters such as residency and refugee status. Among others, 56,700 Ukrainian refugees and 27,400 Moldovan host families received cash transfers in 2024. 66,600 children received access to catch-up and support classes, and nearly 67,000 people received health assistance.
Key partners in the humanitarian response in Moldova under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine include the UN via IOM, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, and the Red Cross Movement, Caritas, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Norwegian Church Aid and NORCAP.