The National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM), in partnership with the Labour Institute, launched on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the 12th edition of the educational project “Trade Union School of Moldova”, dedicated to the training and development of a new generation of trade union leaders. This year’s edition brings together 35 participants representing 15 national branch trade union centres. The opening event took place at the Labour Institute and gathered representatives of CNSM, national branch trade union centres, mentors, trainers, and participants of the new class.

Welcome and encouragement messages were delivered by Lilia Franț, Vice President of CNSM, and Viorel Braga, Director General of the Labour Institute, who highlighted the importance of trade union education, youth involvement in trade union activities, and strengthening the trade union movement in the Republic of Moldova.

During the event, the project’s team of mentors and trainers, as well as the participants of the 12th edition, were introduced. Graduates of previous editions and representatives of the trade union organizations that delegated participants also shared experiences and messages of support for the new class.

The programme of the first day included organizational and training workshops, as well as thematic sessions dedicated to the history of the trade union movement, the legislative and regulatory framework governing trade union activity, trade union rights in the context of fundamental human rights, trade union structures, and the activity priorities of CNSM.

The courses were delivered by experienced specialists and trade union trainers, including Eugeniu Covrig, Head of the Legal Department of CNSM, Elena Anton, Head of the Organization, Education and Information Department of CNSM, Dorin Suruceanu, Deputy Director of the Labour Institute, and Lilia Franț, Vice President of CNSM.

Throughout the four training sessions, participants will study topics related to trade union organization management, legal protection of employees, social partnership, trade union communication, occupational health and safety, leadership skills development, and trade union team building. Participants will also develop projects to be presented at the conclusion of this year’s edition in November.

The “Trade Union School of Moldova” project aims to develop the competencies of trade union leaders, promote trade union values, and strengthen social dialogue through the continuous training of trade union activists in the Republic of Moldova.

It should be noted that the “Trade Union School of Moldova” has been implemented by CNSM jointly with the Labour Institute since 2012. This year’s edition is implemented with the support of Union to Union within the project “Defending Workers’ Rights in Moldova”. The overall objective of the school is to strengthen primary trade union organizations in order to defend and promote the rights of employees and trade union members.

From 2012 to the present, a total of 232 participants — trade union leaders and activists from national branch trade union centres — have been trained within the framework of the “Trade Union School of Moldova”.