The Municipality of Chișinău announces the implementation of the European project “Sustainable Destinations Black Sea Network (SUSDEST-NET)”, financed through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021–2027, with the support of the European Union. The project will be implemented between November 2025 and May 2028 and aims to strengthen a more competitive, smarter, and more sustainable Black Sea region by supporting the blue economy, with a particular focus on sustainable tourism.

SUSDEST-NET seeks to transform partner destinations into sustainable tourism destinations through:

promoting sustainability principles (ESG);

applying artificial intelligence and digital tools in destination management;

developing the capacities of public authorities, the tourism sector, and local communities;

strengthening transnational cooperation and the exchange of best practices.

An innovative component of the project is the development of an AI-based Recommendation and Monitoring System, alongside a digital education and collaboration platform, designed to support informed decision-making and to monitor the sustainability performance of tourism destinations.

The project brings together partners from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Türkiye, with the Municipality of Kavala (Greece) acting as Lead Partner. The Municipality of Chișinău participates as a project partner, actively contributing to the development of joint policies, the implementation of pilot actions, and the promotion of sustainable tourism destinations across the region.

The total project budget amounts to EUR 1,415,719.10, of which 90% represents non-reimbursable funding from the European Union. The budget allocated to the Municipality of Chișinău is EUR 223,245.22, with a 10% own contribution.

At local level, project implementation will be coordinated by the SUSDEST-NET Project Implementation Unit within the Chișinău City Hall, directly contributing to the objectives of the municipal tourism development strategy “Chișinău – Tourist Capital.”

Through its participation in the SUSDEST-NET project, Chișinău strengthens its position as a responsible tourism destination, committed to innovation, regional cooperation, and long-term sustainable development.