On 15 May 2026, mayors, local councillors, and representatives of local public administration from Cahul and Cantemir discussed an increasingly important issue for their communities: how to respond effectively to disinformation and how to build public trust through clear communication. The workshop was organised as part of the “Road to Transparency” campaign implemented by Transparency International Moldova.

The campaign aims to support local leaders in the Republic of Moldova in identifying, preventing, and countering disinformation in the context of the administrative – territorial reform and ahead of the 2027 local elections.

Participants were trained by communication experts Daniel Vodă and Samir Krilic. The discussions focused on the concrete challenges faced by local administrations and on situations in which insufficient communication can fuel speculation, tension and distrust. Through practical exercises, participants examined scenarios inspired by their day-to-day work and reached a clear conclusion: accesible language, direct explanations, and public consultation matter just as much as the decision itself.

“We often focus on the capital, but it is equally important for a mayor in a small town to communicate effectively with citizens, the media, and the community. The purpose of these exercises and the guide we developed is to help them manage communication in a professional and appropriate way,” said Samir Krilic.

Participants also highlighted the importance of dialogue. Tamara Rotaru said the exercises provided useful communication techniques for engaging with citizens, while Tatiana Gălățeanu noted that involving people in public decision-making helps them better understand and appreciate the outcomes.

In total, the campaign included 10 workshops organised across several regions in northern and southern Moldova, bringing together more than 250 representatives of local public administration.

Transparency International Moldova also plans to organise community workshops on critical thinking and media literacy, as well as to distribute a practical guide on combating disinformation in the context of local elections.