Students from across Moldova have gathered for an intellectual games championship that aims to strengthen understanding and foster dialogue. “This initiative reflects CMI’s mission in Moldova,” says Natalia Djandjgava, CMI Country Manager.
The intellectual games championship is one part of a national initiative that involves over 13,000 young people.
CMI has been active in Moldova since 2011, supporting efforts for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict and strengthening dialogue between central authorities and the Gagauz Autonomy.
Activities have contributed to fostering dialogue, enhancing institutional cooperation, and improving social cohesion. CMI’s work has focussed on confidence-building, informal mediation, and sustained engagement with political actors, experts, and communities.
In recent years, CMI’s work has increasingly expanded to initiatives that empower young people, promote intercultural understanding, and strengthen Moldova’s social fabric.
Intellectual games championship strengthens intercultural understanding
This commitment was in the spotlight earlier this month, when on 2nd December, more than 250 middle and high school students from across the Republic of Moldova gathered for the national finals of the eighth edition of the intellectual games championship, called ‘Sub Cusma lui Guguță’.
The event falls within the scope of a five-month national initiative involving over 13,000 young people that is aimed at strengthening social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and youth participation through non-formal education.
This year’s games championship placed a strong emphasis on the values of diversity, inclusion, and dialogue. It aligned with the goals of the ‘Social Cohesion Through Dialogue’ project, implemented by CMI.
The championship is co-financed by the European Union through the project ‘Social Cohesion Through Dialogue’ that is implemented by CMI.
The event brought together 42 teams representing a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds, highlighting the power of non-formal education to connect communities and inspire intellectual curiosity.
The gathering welcomed representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the European Union, the National Youth Agency, and CMI, alongside teachers and mentors who prepared the teams.
Championship forms part of five-month initiative involving 13,000 young people
“We are proud to see Moldova’s brightest young minds here today. You are the future of this country, and this competition is a stepping stone toward confidence and new achievements”, said Sergiu Gurin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research.
Marcia Kammitsi, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union said: “This championship shows that education contributes to bringing people together. The European Union is proud to support this edition through the project ‘Social Cohesion Through Dialogue’ and our goal is simple: to show that diversity is an asset, a source of richness for a stronger and more united society.”
The European Union has reaffirmed its support for initiatives that encourage young people to participate in non-formal educational activities activities and contribute to strengthening cohesion in communities across the country.
The games championship placed a strong emphasis on the values of diversity, inclusion, and dialogue. This has been at the heart of CMI’s work in Moldova since 2011.
The championship provides a practical, youth-centred model for intercultural dialogue and for strengthening cohesion in diverse communities. Through interactive competition, young people learn to collaborate across differences, understand diverse perspectives, and resolve challenges constructively.
CMI’s work in Moldova has focussed more on young people in recent years
This aligns with CMI’s long-term engagement in Moldova, where since 2011 the organisation has facilitated dialogue and confidence-building processes across divided communities, contributing to more inclusive and peaceful relations.
“This initiative fully reflects CMI’s mission in Moldova: to promote intercultural dialogue, strengthen community ties, and empower young people to participate in shaping decisions. Together, we are building a generation that sees diversity as a strength for Moldova’s European future”, said Natalia Djandjgava, CMI Country Manager.
Evghenii Poleacov, President of the Intellectual Games Association, emphasised that the competition develops not only knowledge and quick thinking but also resilience.
Natalia Djandjgava, CMI Country Manager, said CMI’s mission in Moldova is to promote intercultural dialogue, strengthen community ties, and empower young people to participate in shaping decisions.
At the end of the event, the top-performing teams were awarded trophies, diplomas, and Guguta’s symbolic hat, celebrating creativity, teamwork, and perseverance.
Moldova remains a context where dialogue, trust-building, and community resilience are essential for long-term stability. By promoting teamwork, curiosity, and respect for diversity among young people, this initiative strengthens social links across communities and contributes to a more cohesive society.
The initiative is implemented by the Intellectual Games Association of the Republic of Moldova, supported by the National Youth Agency through the 2025 Annual Grant Program for Youth Organisations, and co-financed by the European Union under the project ‘Social Cohesion Through Dialogue’ implemented by CMI.