In transition economies like Moldova, understanding how external funding aligns with national priorities is key to sustaining environmental progress.

Moldova was selected for country portfolio evaluation because of its diverse portfolio spanning biodiversity, climate change, international waters, and POPs, its group allocations under the Resource Allocation Framework, and its participation in Black Sea and Danube River regional projects. The evaluation reviewed national projects and relevant regional initiatives using document reviews, field visits, stakeholder consultations, and two Review of Outcomes to Impacts (ROtI) studies.

Findings indicate that GEF support aligns with Moldova’s environmental priorities but results vary across focal areas. Biodiversity investments achieved modest progress, but capacity and information gaps constrained impact. Climate change results remain limited, while POPs support proved more strategic, and international waters results are too early to assess.

The report recommends introducing the Small Grants Programme, addressing land degradation and climate adaptation, setting clearer requirements and budgets for dissemination, and strengthening the focal point mechanism to coordinate stakeholders and portfolio-level M&E in Moldova.