Media: USAID granted over $124,000 to support Moldova's 2024 voter mobilization

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated $124,200 to fund voter mobilisation campaigns during Moldova's 2024 presidential elections.

This is according to an analysis of the USAID public programme database, Caliber.Az reports per RIA Novosti.

The funding was granted to the Moldovan NGO Klumea as part of initiatives aimed at strengthening Moldova’s resilience. The grant is specifically intended to "increase and strengthen support among Moldovans for European integration."

In related developments, former Moldovan president and leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Igor Dodon, has stated that his party will seek the resignation of Moldova's current president, Maia Sandu, in 2025.

On February 7, political analyst Stanislav Tkachenko highlighted that parliamentary elections in Moldova this year could serve as a stepping stone to improved relations between Moscow and Chisinau. He also noted that Russia and Moldova have many potential areas for collaboration, including in energy, food products, fertilisers, and other sectors.

In parallel, the Trump administration has announced plans to eliminate over 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign aid contracts, cutting $60 billion in global assistance. The move, which aims to scale back U.S. development and humanitarian efforts abroad, will leave few USAID projects remaining, potentially hindering advocacy efforts amid ongoing legal challenges.

Details of the cuts were revealed in an internal memo and court filings. The Supreme Court intervened late on Wednesday, blocking a lower court's order for the administration to release billions in foreign aid by midnight. The administration claims the cuts are part of a broader effort to reduce waste and better align taxpayer funds with U.S. interests, with a focus on advancing American priorities.

President Trump and supporter Elon Musk have both been critical of foreign aid, arguing that USAID programmes promote a liberal agenda and are inefficient. Trump had previously ordered a 90-day review of foreign assistance programmes, resulting in an immediate freeze on funding and the removal of many USAID staff through forced leave and dismissals.

By Aghakazim Guliyev