On 28 July 2026, Transparency International Moldova marked the successful completion of the project “Communication, integrity and information resilience for the 2027 local elections”, an initiative designed to strengthen the ability of local authorities and communities across the Republic of Moldova to identify, prevent and respond to disinformation.

Implemented from February to July 2026, through a combination of training, community engagement and practical tools, to support local leaders in communicating more effectively with citizens and contributing to greater public trust in democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 local elections.

Throughout the project, over 250 mayors, local councillors, and representatives of local public administration from several regions in northern and southern Moldova participated in specialised training workshops on strategic communication, as well as on recognising, preventing, and responding to disinformation. The training addressed these issues in the context of the voluntary amalgamation process and the broader administrative-territorial reform, as well as in the period leading up to the 2027 local elections. Participants were trained by communication experts Daniel Vodă and Samir Krilic, who guided them through practical exercises based on real-life scenarios encountered in local governance.

Alongside the trainings, the project organised community workshops led by content creator Vania Băț and podcaster Titania. The workshops promoted media literacy and critical thinking, reaching approximately 500 citizens. These activities encouraged participants to assess  information critically, verify its accuracy, recognise manipulation techniques and participate more actively in the decision-making processes.

A key outcome of the initiative was the development and publication of a practical guide on combating disinformation in the context of local elections. A total of  1,500 printed copies were distributed to mayors and local leaders across the country. The guide provides practical recommendations on identifying false narratives, communicating transparently and responding effectively when disinformation emerges or spreads within local communities.

Reflecting on the project’s impact, Valentina Carastan, Mayor of Slobozia Mare, Cahul district, highlighted the importance of continuous communication with citizens:

“Communication is essential for local authorities, we must speak clearly and regularly, not just during elections, explaining budgets, projects, and decisions while involving people. Transparency International Moldova helped our community separate facts from falsehoods and strengthened trust in voluntary amalgamation.”

Silvia Leșan, Mayor of Schineni commune, Soroca district, emphasised the practical value of the training sessions:

“We learned that simple, clear communication shows citizens the mayor’s office is on their side. It builds trust. We also learned to better distinguish real information from AI-generated false content.”

The closing event brought together project partners, central and local authorities to review the results achieved during the six-month implementation period and discuss how efforts to strengthen information resilience at the local level could be continued.