CONNECT4MORE project brings Moldovan and Skytte students together to explore EU enlargement challenges

Ten students and two lecturers from Moldova State University (MSU) visited Skytte institute as part of the Blended Intensive Programme “Challenges and Opportunities of the Enlargement Process in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood”. The initiative was organised under the framework of the CONNECT4MORE project, funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).

The programme brought together 10 Moldovan and 10 Estonian students who collaborated in smaller groups on pressing issues shaping the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood ranging from Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption to Resilience Against Disinformation and Hybrid Threats and the Future of Eastern Partnership.

The blended format of the programme combined virtual and in-person components. Throughout the past semester, students engaged in online teamwork and attended webinars offered by our institute’s lecturers, before convening in Tartu for a week of joint lectures, seminars, and group work presentations.

In addition to in-class activities, student-led initiatives further enriched the experience. A highlight was the panel discussion on Moldova’s European future, organised by the UT Society of International Relations and featuring both MSU and UT students. The event, held at Tartu’s Genialistide Club, provided a vibrant platform for exchanging perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of Moldova’s European integration.

At the end of the week, the Moldovan group travelled to Tallinn, where students and lecturers met stakeholders and decision-makers. They visited the Moldovan Embassy and met with Ambassador Caras, the Estonian Parliament, Tallinn’s Europe House, and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). In discussions with ESTDEV Director Klen Jäärats and Project Manager Marika Kundla, participants gained valuable insights into the agency’s priorities, the practical dimensions of Europeanization, and Moldova’s path toward EU integration.

“This programme is a unique opportunity to foster academic exchange and mutual learning between Moldovan and Estonian students. By working together on key issues such as the rule of law, security, and disinformation, participants expanded their knowledge, while developing the skills and networks that will be essential for their future professional paths. CONNECT4MORE demonstrates how education and cooperation can contribute to Moldova’s European perspective,” said Dr. Stefano Braghiroli, project coordinator and Associate Professor of European Studies at the University of Tartu.

The CONNECT4MORE project, coordinated by the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies at the University of Tartu, seeks to strengthen ties between Estonia and Moldova in the field of higher education, foster mutual understanding, and support Moldova’s European readiness.

As a next step, the CONNECT4MORE project will launch a new online MOOC developed together by our institute and MSU on the European Union and Moldova’s integration process in early October. The course will be open to a broad audience, offering an accessible platform to deepen understanding of Moldova’s European future and the functioning of the enlargement process. Info and registration available at the following link.

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