ECOU Association Announces the Launch of the Project “AI Without Borders: Youth and Women from Diverse Communities Unite Moldova Through Innovation”
The ECOU Association is pleased to announce the launch of the project “AI Without Borders: Youth and Women from Diverse Communities Unite Moldova Through Innovation,” funded by the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) under the BREN II – Building Resilience in the Eastern Neighbourhood program.
The project will be implemented between October 2025 and December 2026 and aims to develop digital competencies and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with civic applications among young people and women in the southern regions of the Republic of Moldova.
One of the key objectives of the project is to strengthen social cohesion, promote interethnic dialogue, and build mutual trust among participants from the districts of Cahul, Cantemir, Comrat, Ceadîr-Lunga, Taraclia, and Vulcănești.
“The project ‘AI Without Borders’ continues the initiative launched by the ECOU Association in 2024 through the project ‘AI Opportunities: Towards Sustainable Jobs Through Artificial Intelligence.’ Our goal is to strengthen social cohesion and digital inclusion through education and innovation. We are transforming the online platform AIOPORTUNITATI.MD into a modern space for learning, collaboration, and exchange of ideas. Translating all materials into Russian will increase accessibility for Russian-speaking youth and women in the southern regions of the country,”
said Natalia Ponomariov, Project Coordinator.
Within the framework of the project, 18 thematic training sessions will be organized on the application of AI tools in civic initiatives (“Civic AI”), cybersecurity, and information integrity, as well as a regional hackathon dedicated to finding AI-based solutions for strengthening social cohesion.
The project is implemented in partnership with the European Center “Pro-Europe” in Comrat and the Association for Civic Initiatives for National Minorities, joining forces to promote a connected, resilient, and inclusive Moldova.
“In times of disinformation and social polarization, developing digital skills and critical thinking becomes particularly important. This project gives young people an opportunity to unite through knowledge and dialogue,”
emphasized Valentina Kaleji, Regional Coordinator for ATU Gagauzia.
“Participants will jointly work on digital solutions that overcome linguistic and cultural barriers. It is a form of interethnic dialogue and civic diplomacy through technology,”
added Mihai Peicov, Regional Coordinator for Taraclia and Cantemir districts.
Through this initiative, the ECOU Association reaffirms its commitment to strengthening community connections, empowering youth and women, and turning digital innovation into a tool for social unity and progress.
This informational material was published within the framework of the project “AI Without Borders: Youth and Women from Diverse Communities Unite Moldova Through Innovation,” funded by a grant from the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IWPR or the Government of the United Kingdom.
