Ethnic communities take part directly in setting priorities and drafting concrete recommendations for public policy.
The Ethnic Communities Fair and the Civil Society Fair bring together culture, traditions and civic good practice.
The needs and perspectives of national minorities are integrated into reforms and the EU accession process.
The National Forum of Ethnic Minorities is the largest national platform in the Republic of Moldova, bringing together representatives of ethnic communities, public institutions, civil society, international organizations and development partners.
In 2026, the Forum is organized by the Civic Initiatives Center for National Minorities (ICPMN), in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Republic of Moldova, the Government of Denmark through AMIS, and the Soros Foundation Moldova.
In 2026, the forum takes place under the slogan:
“Different voices, a shared future”
In 2026, the Forum moves from dialogue to jointly developing solutions: a national consultation platform to align policies with European minority-rights standards, review the 2017–2027 Interethnic Relations Strategy, and host the interactive space “Moldova in its diversity”.
Diversity becomes participation, participation becomes concrete solutions, and different voices become part of Moldova’s shared European future.
A space where ethnic communities, civil society and public institutions set priorities and draft concrete public-policy recommendations.
Reviewing progress on the Interethnic Relations Strategy, remaining gaps, and lessons for post-2027 policy.
Including ethnic communities’ views and interests in debates on Moldova’s European future and alignment with EU standards.
Identifying priorities in civic and political participation, education, language rights, access to information, cultural identity and youth.
Countering disinformation and supporting access to reliable information, including quality media in national minority languages.
Promoting cultural diversity through the ethnic communities fair, civic good-practice exchange, and concrete Forum recommendations.
Within the National Forum of Ethnic Minorities 2026 we will hold, for the first time, the Minority & Diversity Awards 2026 — a ceremony recognising people, initiatives and media work that help preserve cultural diversity, strengthen intercultural dialogue and support more active participation of national minorities in public life in the Republic of Moldova.
For organisations, initiative groups and projects that have carried out meaningful work on national minorities and cultural diversity.
Assessment will take into account:
For articles, reports, videos, podcasts, documentaries and other media that tell the story of national minorities, cultural diversity and interethnic relations in Moldova.
The following will be assessed:
For journalists who cover, systematically and professionally, issues of national minorities, identity and cultural diversity.
Main criteria:
For people whose work helps their community grow and creates visible positive change at local or national level.
We will take into account:
For young people and youth initiatives that promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and civic participation.
Criteria:
For people, organisations and initiatives that help preserve, develop and promote the languages, culture, traditions and historical heritage of national minorities in the Republic of Moldova.
Assessment will take into account:
The Minority & Diversity Awards 2026 are a chance to recognise those whose everyday work shows that diversity is a value and an essential part of the shared future of the Republic of Moldova.
Ethnic Communities Capital of Moldova 2026–2027 is a special initiative of the National Forum of Ethnic Minorities, aimed at recognising and promoting localities in the Republic of Moldova that are examples of cultural diversity, interethnic dialogue and active participation of national minorities in the life of the local community.
The title “Ethnic Communities Capital of Moldova 2026–2027” will be awarded to one locality in the Republic of Moldova that demonstrates consistent work to support ethnocultural communities, preserve cultural and linguistic heritage, develop intercultural interaction and create opportunities for people from different ethnic groups to take part in public life.
Particular attention will be given not only to initiatives already carried out, but also to the locality’s vision for 2026–2027. Candidates must present ideas and activities they are ready to implement if they receive the title.
The winner will be officially announced at the National Forum of Ethnic Minorities 2026.
The presence of different ethnic communities in the locality, their activity, representation and participation in cultural, social and public life.
Practical measures and initiatives by local authorities to support ethnocultural organisations and communities, including events, projects, resources, spaces and other forms of cooperation.
Initiatives, events and spaces that help people from different ethnic groups meet, learn about one another’s cultures and strengthen social cohesion.
Work to preserve and promote the languages, traditions, history, arts and cultural heritage of ethnic communities, including work with younger generations.
Opportunities for representatives of national minorities to take part in local initiatives, public consultations, decision-making and the development of their locality.
The quality and realism of the proposed programme for the period of holding the title: cultural and educational events, public discussions, youth initiatives, festivals, exhibitions, information campaigns and other activities that can make cultural diversity more visible and bring local communities together.
Each criterion is scored by the jury on a scale from 1 to 10. The maximum score is 60 points.
Executive Director, Center for Civic Initiatives for National Minorities
Gagauz journalist; former deputy of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia
Gagauz activist; founder of the first online translator for the Gagauz language
Journalist; Director of the news portal TUK.MD
Human rights facilitator
Associate Expert, IPRE
Journalist, «Маленькая страна»
Journalist, Zona de Securitate
Secretary General, CNTM
Project Manager, ICPMN
Member of Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
Director General, Agency for Interethnic Relations
Head of the Interethnic Relations Department, Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova
State Secretary, Ministry of Culture
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Moldova
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Republic of Moldova
Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Republic of Moldova
Executive Director of the Soros Foundation Moldova
Country Manager, Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation in Moldova
Main hall
Moderators: Ioana VATAMANU-MARGINEANU, Marina ȚÂBÂRNĂ
Main hall
A high-level dialogue on diversity, belonging and the European future of the Republic of Moldova.
Moderator: Mihai PEICOV — Executive Director, ICPMN
Main hall
European practices on participation, education, language rights, representation and minority inclusion.
Moderator: Victoria CARTERĂ — Project Manager, ICPMN
Celebrating diversity — a social activity and informal networking for participants. Artistic line-up.
Main hall
Progress, gaps and priorities for minority rights in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession.
Public institutions:
Civil society:
Moderator: Marina ȚÂBÂRNĂ
Main hall
Between disinformation, propaganda and access to reliable information: how do we strengthen information resilience and media in national minority languages in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s EU accession?
Moderator: Anatolie GOLEA (TBC)
Main hall
A participatory conversation on the priorities of ethnic communities in the Republic of Moldova.
Thematic tables:
Moderator: Aina IDRISOVA
Coffee break in the hall.
Hall C
From problems to public-policy recommendations.
Facilitator: Tudor ARNAUT — Secretary General, CNTM
Coffee break in the hall.
Hall B
Turning community needs into public-policy change.
Facilitator: Angelica FROLOV (TBC)
Coffee break in the hall.
Main hall
Closing ceremony of the Forum, presenting the main conclusions and commitments, recognising people and initiatives with impact, and designating the Ethnic Communities Capital 2026–2027.
Presentation of the Forum’s main conclusions and recommendations: Aina IDRISOVA — Human rights facilitator
Minority & Diversity Awards 2026:
Ethnic Communities Capital 2026–2027: Veaceslav REABCINSCHII — Director General of the Agency for Interethnic Relations
Moderators: Ioana VATAMANU-MARGINEANU, Marina ȚÂBÂRNĂ
Burcuta, Moldova
For Information