Chișinău – Part of the European Cooperation Network through the SUSTAIN-2 and SUSDEST-NET Projects!

On June 18, 2025, the Chișinău Municipal Council approved the city’s participation in the implementation of two strategic European projects: SUSTAIN-2 (“A Sustainability Model for Tourism”) and SUSDEST-NET (“Sustainable Destinations Black Sea Network”).

The projects will be carried out between 2025 and 2028, with funding from the European Union’s Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.

This decision aligns with the city’s sustainable tourism development priorities, outlined in the “Chișinău – Tourist Capital 2022–2026” Strategy, approved by CMC Decision No. 9/13. Through these initiatives, Chișinău continues to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, cooperation, and smart development.

Approved Projects:

🔹 SUSTAIN-2 – A Sustainability Model for Tourism (2025–2027)
The project aims to develop a sustainable tourism model based on innovation, digitalization, and advanced technologies. It will boost Chișinău’s competitiveness as a destination, in line with European trends in ecological and responsible tourism.

Total Project Budget: €1,090,064.60

• €981,058.11 (90%) – EU Interreg Fund

• €92,556.91 (8.4%) – Public contributions from project partners

Chișinău Municipality budget for SUSTAIN-2 (2025–2027): €154,872.22

• €15,487.23 – non-reimbursable local contribution (10%)

• €139,384.99 – reimbursed via the lead partner, Democritus University of Thrace – School of Engineering (Greece), from EU funds after each reporting period.

🔹 SUSDEST-NET – Sustainable Destinations Black Sea Network (2025–2028)
This project aims to strengthen a network of sustainable tourism destinations in the broader Black Sea region by promoting cross-border cooperation, best practices, and capacity-building for sustainable tourism.

European and Regional Framework

Both projects are developed under Priority 1 – “Blue and Smart Region” of the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, focused on:

• enhancing research and innovation capacities

• adoption of advanced technologies

• promoting interregional cooperation and resilience in key economic sectors

Total Project Budget: €1,415,719.10

• €1,274,147.15 (90%) – EU Interreg Fund

• €141,571.95 (10%) – Public contributions from partners

Chișinău Municipality budget for SUSDEST-NET (2025–2028): €223,245.22

• €22,324.53 – non-reimbursable local contribution (10%)

• €200,920.69 – reimbursed by the lead partner, Municipality of Kavala (Greece), from EU funds after each project reporting period

Chișinău’s participation in these initiatives demonstrates the local administration’s commitment to European values, the modernization of public services, and the promotion of the city as a smart, sustainable, and attractive tourist destination.