EIB and EU invest €50m to modernize 20 Moldovan model schools
The Moldovan Government approved the signing of a €50 million (approx. 980 million MDL) financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on June 11 to launch the "Rehabilitation and Modernization of Moldovan Schools" project.
The structural funding will target 20 educational institutions across the country. These schools represent the first major tranche of the government's strategic "Model Schools Network," an initiative designed to establish regional hubs of academic excellence.
Financial breakdown of the package
According to Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun, the €50 million investment relies on a blended financing structure. This includes a €40 million concessional loan from the EIB, a €2 million grant from the Neighborhood Investment Platform (NIP), and an €8 million direct contribution from the European Union’s Growth Plan for Moldova.
The multi-million EUR deployment will fund deep structural renovations, the overhaul of engineering networks, and energy efficiency upgrades across all selected campuses.
Digital and inclusive infrastructure
Classrooms will receive modern furniture and advanced digital setups. The project specifically targets the modernization of STEM infrastructure, including physics, chemistry, biology, and informatics laboratories.
Furthermore, school libraries will transition into comprehensive resource centers with access to digital educational content, supported by upgraded high-speed internet connections.
The modernization also ensures that all 20 institutions will be fully adapted to meet the accessibility needs of students with special educational requirements, alongside the creation of dedicated recreational spaces and green zones.
Long-term strategic vision
"This project represents one of the most substantial investments in our educational infrastructure in recent years," stated Minister Dan Perciun. "It will transform these model schools into modern educational hubs capable of providing high-quality learning opportunities for thousands of students nationwide."
The initial list of beneficiaries includes regional pillars such as the Ion Creangă Republican Theoretical High School in Bălți and the Vasile Alecsandri Theoretical High School in Colibași, Cahul, alongside several institutions in Chișinău, Cimișlia, Glodeni, Hâncești, Nisporeni, Râșcani, Sângerei, Soroca, Telenești, and Ungheni.
The Ministry of Education and Research launched the Model Schools Network in 2023 with 35 regional institutions. In 2025, the government scaled the initiative to encompass 90 schools, including 24 in the capital city of Chișinău.
Full implementation of the 90-school network requires a total investment of €220 million. To date, the Moldovan government has successfully secured approximately €155 million of this requirement through international partnerships and external funding sources.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
