Moldova

ISSAT has been requested to conduct an evaluation of the Swedish Police Programme in Moldova. The evaluation is the fourth evaluation of the SPA projects (previously Serbia, Liberia, Albania) and aims to review the extent to which the project remains relevant in the changing context and whether it is on track to achieve the expected outcomes by end 2020. The project is supporting the Moldovan Police in developing a concept for community policing, basic tactics, and financial crimes.

In 2007, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security established the Norwegian Mission of Rule of Law Advisers to Moldova (NORLAM). The programme, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has deployed active justice practitioners from Norway to provide advisory support to Moldova in various aspects of criminal justice system reform. The NORLAM team composition has usually included judges, prosecutors, probation officers, defence lawyers and corrections officers supported by Moldovan legal advisors. While the programme components have changed over time, notable focal areas of work have included commentary of draft laws, supporting development of a juvenile prison (Goian), pre-trial detention, and various aspects of juvenile justice reform. The programme with its holistic approach to the criminal justice chain remains a unique example in global justice and security sector reform practice.

A decision has been taken to close down all programme components and activities of NORLAM by 30.06.2017.  Norwegian experts (2) and local staff will be present on the ground until end of June. Given the important role of NORLAM in supporting justice sector reform in Moldova for a decade, the Norway is seeking to develop a structured transition strategy that will promote sustainability of NORLAM reform efforts, ensure continuity of work, and reduce the potential risks associated with the eventual closure of the programme.

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MoJ) decided to develop a 3-year overall strategy and planning cycle to support the Rule of Law (RoL) in Moldova and Ukraine. As a starting point for discussions, the following outline was designed:

1.    Overall priorities Rule of Law
2.    Reform agenda Ukraine/Moldova – Including political commitment and context
3.    The Norwegian Rule of Law response pool:
   • Working concept/approach: Full Justice Chain – holistic, flexible and responsive approach to support justice reform
   • Process for identification of projects and priority areas of engagement
   • The essential policies and procedures required for effective implementation and accountability
   • Recruitment of experts
   • Training
4.    Theory of change: Ukraine/Moldova
5.    Resultsframework and reporting chain: Ukraine/Moldova
6.    Local ownership and sustainability
7.    Risk
8.    Gender
9.    Anti-corruption
10.    Donor-co-ordination Ukraine/Moldova
11.    Exit Strategy

The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MoJ) decided to develop a 3-year overall strategy and planning cycle to support the Rule of Law (RoL) in Moldova and Ukraine. As a starting point for discussions, the following outline was designed:

1.    Overall priorities Rule of Law
2.    Reform agenda Ukraine/Moldova – Including political commitment and context
3.    The Norwegian Rule of Law response pool:
   • Working concept/approach: Full Justice Chain – holistic, flexible and responsive approach to support justice reform
   • Process for identification of projects and priority areas of engagement
   • The essential policies and procedures required for effective implementation and accountability
   • Recruitment of experts
   • Training
4.    Theory of change: Ukraine/Moldova
5.    Resultsframework and reporting chain: Ukraine/Moldova
6.    Local ownership and sustainability
7.    Risk
8.    Gender
9.    Anti-corruption
10.    Donor-co-ordination Ukraine/Moldova
11.    Exit Strategy

ISSAT supported the Norwegian Ministry of Justice through 3 field deployments (Ukraine, Moldova, and Norway). In 2014 ISSAT supported a review of NORLAM which served as a basis for the current re-design of the programme. The Norwegian Ministry of Justice is currently in the process of setting up a potential NORLAU project which would be based on the NORLAM cross criminal justice chain approach.