Estonia supports next-generation digital skills and awareness in Moldova

Our daily lives are increasingly digital. People communicate online, manage money through banking apps, shop on the internet, use social media, and are starting to rely more and more on AI-powered tools. But with these opportunities also come risks: online scams, account theft, unsafe links, data leaks, and the misuse of personal information.

To help people deal with these risks in a practical way, the national project “Safe with AI” is being launched in the Republic of Moldova. The initiative aims to strengthen digital safety, awareness, and cyber resilience among citizens and small and medium-sized enterprises by giving them the knowledge and habits they need to stay safer online in everyday situations. The project and its upcoming training activities are organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA) and Moldcell Foundation with the support of ESTDEV – Estonian Centre for International Development. 

Michelle Illiev, State Secretary for Digitalization and Innovation, Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation, highlighted the growing need for digital safety in today’s rapidly evolving environment: “AI is already in the hands of the next generation. Our responsibility is to make sure they know how to use it – safely, critically, and to build, not just consume. At the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, we are turning this into action: AI skills in education, clear protections online, and real opportunities for young people to create with technology. Because the future of AI is not just about innovation. It’s about who is ready to shape it.”

As part of the initiative, 50 practical training sessions will be delivered across Moldova, including in rural areas, reaching at least 500 participants. The trainings will focus on simple but essential skills: how to recognise scams, protect personal accounts, use stronger passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, avoid common online traps, and use AI tools more responsibly and securely.

Digital resilience is built through practical knowledge

Rather than speaking about cybersecurity in abstract terms, the trainings are designed to help people deal with real-life situations. What should you check before clicking a link? How can you spot a fake message? What information should never be shared with an AI tool? What can a small business do to reduce everyday digital risks? The training sessions are meant to answer these kinds of practical questions in a clear and accessible way, giving participants a practical “mental toolbox” for safer online behaviour.

By combining cyber hygiene education with guidance on the responsible use of AI tools, “Safe with AI” will give participants a practical set of skills they can use immediately in their daily lives. In doing so, the project will help build a safer digital environment and greater trust in digital services.

Kristi Kivilo, Senior Expert, e-Governance Academy, highlighted the practical approach of the initiative: “At eGA, we believe digital resilience is built through practical knowledge and skills, not abstract theory. People need simple and useful guidance they can apply immediately — whether that means spotting a scam, protecting personal data, or using AI tools more responsibly. Just as importantly, by working with local trainers and communities, this knowledge does not stay in one room or one event, but continues to spread further across Moldova, ensuring long-term sustainability.”

Irina Strajescu, Executive Director Moldcell Foundation, emphasized the role of the Moldcell Foundation as a local partner: Technology is part of our everyday lives, and knowing how to stay safe online has become essential. As a local partner, Moldcell Foundation is actively contributing to this initiative by bringing practical training closer to communities across Moldova, including rural areas. Through this partnership, we help people build essential digital skills they can apply in everyday situations – from protecting personal data to navigating online risks with confidence. By combining hands-on training with the responsible use of AI, this project empowers people to make safer, more informed decisions in an increasingly digital world.

Building on Estonia–Moldova digital cooperation

The initiative is part of a broader and long-standing cooperation between Estonia and Moldova in the field of digital development and cybersecurity, reflecting Estonia’s commitment to sharing its experience and supporting partner countries in building resilient digital societies. With the support of ESTDEV, participants in these trainings will benefit from internationally recognised expertise and practical know-how, further reinforcing Estonia’s continued commitment to supporting Moldova’s digital transformation.

“Cybersecurity is not only a technical challenge but a social one. Real resilience begins when ordinary people understand the risks they face in their daily digital lives and know how to respond. Estonia has learned this through its own experience of building a digital society, and it is exactly this knowledge we want to share. ‘Securely with AI’ reflects our conviction that meaningful change happens at the community level, through practical skills rather than abstract awareness campaigns,” said Andres Ääremaa, e-Governance and Cybersecurity Programme Manager at the Estonian Centre for International Development.

Importantly, “Safe with AI” builds on a successful track record of cooperation between the e-Governance Academy and the Moldcell Foundation. In previous initiatives implemented in Moldova, the partners conducted 100 training sessions nationwide, supporting diverse target groups, including communities outside Chișinău, in developing essential digital and cybersecurity skills. This experience provides a strong and tested foundation for the current project, ensuring both scalability and local relevance.

Why awareness matters in preventing cybercrime

Against the backdrop of a growing number of cyber threats affecting both individuals and businesses, strengthening digital awareness and prevention has become a critical priority.

Iurie Roșca, Head of the Cybercrime Investigation Center, noted: “Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, becoming more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect. Both citizens and businesses are exposed to risks such as fraud, identity theft, and online scams. Prevention through education and awareness is one of the most effective tools we have. By helping people understand these risks and how to respond to them, initiatives like „Safe with AI” play a vital role in reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening overall cybersecurity.”

By focusing on practical skills, local outreach, and everyday online risks, “Safe with AI” aims to help people and businesses across Moldova use digital tools more safely and confidently. The initiative supports Moldova’s wider efforts to build a more resilient digital society, where cybersecurity awareness becomes part of daily life. Participants are called to register their interest here: https://sigurantadigitala.md/