Keystone Moldova Contributes to EU Consultations on Future Partnership Priorities for 2028–2034

Keystone Moldova presented recommendations on disability inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities during a consultation organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, contributing to the development of the European Union’s next cooperation framework with Moldova for 2028–2034. Representing the organization at the meeting held on 8 September 2026, Ludmila Malcoci, Executive Director of Keystone Moldova and Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe at Keystone Human Services International, highlighted the need to make disability inclusion a cross-cutting and measurable priority of future EU support and partnership with Moldova.

The consultation brought together representatives of civil society organizations to discuss Moldova’s main development challenges and opportunities, share strategic priorities for the coming years, and identify areas for future EU engagement, cooperation and investment under the 2028–2034 programming cycle.

During the discussions, Keystone Moldova emphasized the importance of making disability inclusion a measurable, cross-cutting priority within the future EU–Moldova partnership framework. Drawing on a joint position paper developed together with the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), Keystone Moldova highlighted that Moldova’s EU accession process offers a unique opportunity to accelerate reforms that promote the rights, inclusion and full participation of persons with disabilities in society.

Keystone Moldova noted that although significant progress has been achieved in areas such as deinstitutionalization, inclusive education and community-based services, many persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers. Key challenges include insufficient community-based support services, persistent poverty, limited accessibility of public infrastructure and digital services, low employment rates, inequalities in education, weak local implementation capacity, and inadequate participation of organizations of persons with disabilities in policymaking and monitoring processes.

The organization presented seven strategic priorities for the 2028–2034 period: independent living and deinstitutionalization; accessibility and universal design; inclusive social protection and poverty reduction; inclusive education and skills development; employment and economic participation; participation and democratic inclusion; and stronger data, monitoring and accountability systems. These priorities are closely aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, and Moldova’s EU accession commitments.

Keystone Moldova also encouraged the European Union to mainstream disability inclusion across all sectors of cooperation, including governance, justice, employment, education, health, transport, digital transformation and local development. The organization called for accessibility to become a condition for EU-funded investments and highlighted the need to strengthen organizations of persons with disabilities, expand successful community-based service models, and support disability-inclusive public administration reforms.

Particular attention was drawn to the situation of persons with disabilities living in rural areas and refugees with disabilities, who continue to face increased risks of exclusion and reduced access to services. Keystone Moldova stressed the importance of ensuring that future EU-supported reforms and investments are inclusive, accessible and responsive to diverse support needs.

By contributing evidence-based recommendations and practical policy proposals, Keystone Moldova reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Moldova’s European integration process and ensuring that the rights and interests of persons with disabilities remain at the center of national reforms and development efforts.

Position Paper Available

The recommendations presented during the consultation are detailed in the joint position paper “Disability Rights in Moldova: Priorities for EU Engagement and Partnership 2028–2034,” developed by Keystone Moldova and the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (AOPD). The full document can be viewed and downloaded below.