CRDC at the National Conference “Circular Economy in the Republic of Moldova” 2025

This year, the Regional Community Development Center (CRDC) joined the participants of the 2025 National Conference – “Circular Economy in the Republic of Moldova”, an event dedicated to transforming the way we produce, consume, and reuse resources.

The day was filled with ideas, examples, and practical discussions about the country’s circular future. The panels highlighted:

• European directions and standards in the field of circular economy;

• circular business models and financing opportunities;

• the role of innovation and research;

• the importance of education and cross-sector collaboration for a transition that is real, not just declarative.

For us as a community organization from Cahul, it reaffirmed that sustainable solutions start locally — in communities, through concrete actions and stable partnerships.

“For CRDC, the circular economy is not just about national policies and concepts, but about very concrete actions in the community: repairing, reusing, extending the life of items, and at the same time offering people a space for learning and connection. This new phase we are starting, including at the Cahul Community Center, helps us link our ongoing work with youth, women, and volunteers to a broader sustainability vision.”
Irina Bejan, CRDC Administrator

CRDC – beneficiary of the textile reuse support program

A concrete result of our participation in the conference is that CRDC became a beneficiary of the program supporting the development of local textile reuse services.

Through this program, we received tools and materials that will help us launch a mini sewing club focused on textile reuse within the Cahul Community Center. The new sewing machine will perfectly complement the work of our volunteer group, which already organizes sewing and creative repair sessions. With this support, we will be able to:

• expand the number of practical workshops for youth, women, and families in Cahul;

• encourage repairing, transforming, and reusing clothing instead of throwing it away;

• combine environmental education with practical skill-building (sewing, creativity, teamwork);

• build a local model of applied circular economy where results are visible immediately.

We aim to turn the mini sewing club into an open, accessible, and friendly space where the community can learn how small actions can help reduce textile waste and protect the environment.

Participation in the National Conference “Circular Economy in the Republic of Moldova” 2025 was both a learning experience and an opportunity to connect with key actors in the field.

We extend our thanks to the organizers and partners: Swiss Cooperation in Moldova, Embassy of Sweden in Chisinau, UNDP Moldova, RECONOMY, and all speakers and participants who shared expertise, examples, and resources.

The next step for CRDC is clear: to turn inspiration into concrete local actions through:

• developing the mini sewing club at the Cahul Community Center;

• engaging volunteers and the community in reuse and repair activities;

• promoting the circular economy as a natural part of everyday life in Cahul.

We are grateful for the trust and for the opportunity to integrate circular economy principles into our community programs.

Photos: e-Circular.org