The Youth Commission of the National Trade Union Confederation of Moldova (CNSM) organized the Trade Union Campus “Empowering Young People in the World of Work: Challenges and Opportunities” on September 10–11, 2025, at the “Costești” Tourist Complex in Ialoveni district, with the support of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Moldova Foundation. The event brought together around 60 young trade unionists aged between 18 and 35 – leaders and activists from various trade union organizations.
At the opening of the Trade Union Campus, welcome messages and presentations were delivered by: Felicia Bechtoldt, State Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Victor Ciobanu, Entrepreneurship Development Policy Division, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, Raisa Dogaru, Director, National Employment Agency, Vlada Anichienco, Head of Electronic Payments Management Section, Electronic Governance Agency, Denis Zacon, Founder of AI SKILLS, Dan Marius Palihovici, Program Coordinator, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Moldova Foundation
The main goal of the Campus was to strengthen young people’s skills and encourage their active involvement in identifying solutions to the challenges they face in the labor market. The event’s agenda included interactive workshops, training sessions, and presentations on employees’ rights, occupational health and safety, European integration, digitalization, work-life balance, and the role of trade unions in defending young people’s interests.
Participants also discussed national employment programs, opportunities in strategic industries, and were introduced to modern digital tools such as the government application EVO.
“This Campus represents a valuable platform for dialogue and experience exchange, a space where we can work together to identify concrete solutions to the challenges young people face on the labor market, and where we can strengthen the community of young trade unionists,” said Igor Zubcu, President of CNSM, in his address to participants.
“The future doesn’t build itself — we create it together. That’s why I urge you to be active, to defend your rights, and to promote the values of solidarity. Let’s make this Campus the beginning of real change for young people,” added Igor Zubcu.
The CNSM President also emphasized that young people are a key element in the development of civil society and the trade union movement, and that youth policies remain a constant priority for CNSM, promoted at all levels through consultations and collective bargaining with social partners.
“Young people are the engine of change and the future of the trade union movement. Through the Trade Union Campus, we aim to provide them not only with knowledge and practical tools but also with the confidence that their voice matters in the decision-making process. The resolution adopted here proves that young people have vision, courage, and the desire to contribute to a fairer and more united society,” stated Emilian Glavan, President of the CNSM Youth Commission.
The Campus program provided young people not only with theoretical training but also with practical experiences, teamwork exercises, and networking activities that strengthened community spirit and union involvement.
During the debates, the young trade unionists adopted a Resolution calling for concrete measures to improve the situation of youth in Moldova’s labor market. These include:
- Expanding allowances and incentives for young specialists
- Improving the “First Home” program by subsidizing at least 50% of the interest rate
- Introducing career guidance classes in schools
- Indexing child care allowances to inflation
- Amending legislation on temporary work incapacity benefits
- Encouraging employers to provide alternative childcare services
- Strengthening guarantees through collective bargaining
Young trade unionists believe these proposals can help retain young labor in Moldova and foster sustainable economic development.
The full text of the Resolution of the Trade Union Campus “Empowering Young People in the World of Work: Challenges and Opportunities,” which will soon be presented to public authorities and social partners, can be accessed here:
https://sindicate.md/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Rezolutie-Campus-Sindical.pdf
More photos from the activities held during the Trade Union Campus can be accessed on the CNSM Facebook page:
