October 31, 2025, Chișinău – The EcoVoucher Caravan has concluded its tour across the country. Over a two-month period, from September 8 to October 29, the Caravan reached 36 localities, covering all district centers of the Republic of Moldova, including Bălți municipality and the ATU Gagauzia. The Caravan also reached communities located on the left bank of the Dniester River, in Dubăsari district. The team of the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED) travelled more than 9,000 kilometers, organizing information sessions and practical demonstrations on the efficient use of electricity.

More than 30,000 people participated in the Caravan’s activities. Throughout the journey, information sessions and demonstration activities were held, thousands of information materials were distributed, and individual consultations were offered on how to benefit from the Household Appliance Voucher Program (EcoVoucher) and on the advantages of replacing old appliances with modern, energy-efficient ones. Residents had the opportunity to witness live demonstrations comparing the real energy consumption of an old refrigerator with that of a new high-efficiency model, to learn how to read the EU energy efficiency label, and to discover practical ways to reduce monthly electricity costs by using energy-efficient appliances.

“Through the EcoVoucher Caravan, we brought information where it is most needed – directly to communities. We want every citizen to understand that using energy-efficient appliances is not only an environmentally responsible choice but also a real way to save money in the household budget. The experience has shown that proper information and energy-efficient behavior can significantly reduce electricity costs”, said Ion Muntean, Director of the National Centre for Sustainable Energy.

At the same time, the Caravan visits provided an opportunity to collect citizens’ opinions, questions, and suggestions, which will help the team analyze people’s real needs and further improve the energy efficiency programs supported by the Government of the Republic of Moldova.

Local authorities were highly receptive, and meetings were held with representatives of local public administrations to present the benefits and funding opportunities for implementing energy efficiency projects at the community level.

The initiative was organized by CNED, with the support of the European Union and the Government of Germany, through the project “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Moldova” (E4M), implemented by GIZ.

„Energy efficiency starts with awareness, and the EcoVoucher Caravan has brought that awareness directly to people’s doorsteps. The European Union is proud to support initiatives that empower Moldovan citizens to make practical, sustainable choices in their everyday lives. Each informed decision contributes to a greener, more resilient future for Moldova.”, stated Iwona Piórko, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

The program, developed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the support of the European Union and co-financed this year by Norway, provides eligible households with vouchers worth 6,000 MDL, covering up to 70% of the cost of an energy-efficient refrigerator or washing machine. Since its launch, over 37,000 families across Moldova have benefited from vouchers for purchasing large household appliances. In 2025, funding from Norway enabled the distribution of over 24,700 vouchers.

“This program is an example of effective partnership between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and European partners. The EcoVoucher Caravan has demonstrated that energy efficiency can be explained in a simple and practical way, with visible results for citizens. Behind every voucher is a family that will consume less energy, pay smaller bills, and contribute to reducing carbon emissions”, emphasized Viorel Albu, Component Manager within the E4M project.

The EcoVoucher program has been developed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with financial support from the European Union. This EcoVoucher program edition is implemented by the National Centre for Sustainable Energy through the “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies for Moldova” (E4M) project. E4M is implemented by GIZ together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, financed by the German Government and co-financed by the European Union, Norway, and Denmark. The current EcoVoucher round is financed by Norway and the EcoVoucher Caravan is supported by the European Union and the Government of Germany.

For more information about the EcoVoucher Program, visit www.cned.gov.md.

The National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED) is a public institution responsible for coordinating and organizing activities aimed at implementing state policies in its areas of competence, including mobilizing and managing financial resources to fund and promote projects and programs in the fields of sustainable energy, climate change, and environmental protection, contributing to the increase of the country’s energy security.