Victor Coroli, Director of the Alliance of Access to Information and Training Community Centers of Moldova, and Ludmila Mitioglo, chairman of the Pro-Europa Center in Comrat, launched the Project “EU-RM, Partnership More than Donorship”, which aims to reduce Moldovan citizens’ Euro-skepticism and to promote best EU practices in Moldova.

On Wednesday press conference at Infotag, Victor Coroli said that the emphasis will be given to providing citizens with objective information about advantages of the European Integration by means of promoting positive models of the small and medium enterprises development, which have implemented projects, programs and other financial assistance from the EU.

“The project has three objectives: to reduce Euro-skepticism by organizing in Comrat and Rezina two exhibitions with participation of businessmen, who received financing from the EU; raising awareness about European values via the electronic education program; dissemination of best practices, gained within the project”, said Coroli.

According to him, on the Polish international platform www.civicportal.org a distance learning course “EU-RM, Partnership More than Donorship” will soon be launched, where such themes as European Integration history will be discussed, as well as economic problems of the extended EU, possibilities for youth in the process of integration, myths and manipulations during Eurointegration, economic advantages and challenges for small and medium businesses in the EU, sustainable development in the European Union.

Moreover, debates will be organized in some schools, with participation of Moldovan businessmen, who have successfully started their business in Moldova with the EU assistance. “The project is not a large one, but very ambitious. We are sure that it is possible to realize an important project with limited resources”, said Victor Coroli.

Ludmila Mitioglo noted that the project is of current interest, taking into account the high level of skepticism among Moldovan citizens, especially in Gagauzia. “If several year ago there were over 60% of the EU Integration supporters, now they make only 20% of the population.

We believe that the project will help people understand that the EU is not a simple donor, because besides the financial assistance, the businessmen accumulated a great experience, which allows them developing successful business at home. We hope that due to the project, people will change their attitude towards the EU and will be able to use opportunities, provided by the EU community”, stressed she. The project, worth US$6 thousand and financed by the USA Embassy to Moldova, will last till the end of 2014.