Cultural Voucher program in Moldova: Benefits and expansion
Over 7,200 young people from the Republic of Moldova have taken advantage of the "Cultural Voucher" program in the two years since its inception.
The majority of them bought books. Among the events available, they chose to attend concerts, cinema screenings, and theatre performances. To support this, the state allocated approximately 6.5 million lei, according to the Ministry of Culture. Project managers believe that both interest and the number of beneficiaries could grow if the process were simplified and the list of service providers expanded.
The national "Cultural Voucher" program was introduced in November 2022. The voucher is a "non-refundable digital ticket" worth 1,000 lei, which holders can use to attend concerts, theatre performances, or cinema screenings, as well as to buy books, all within a year.
The voucher can only be redeemed online at bookstores and specialised platforms. It is available to young people who are 18 or older and hold a digital signature, which is required for authentication. The Ministry of Culture is exploring the possibility of extending the program to retirees.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
