Working Meeting of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Initiative Group Convened in Chișinău

18 August 2026 — The Institute for Democracy and Development (I4DD), the organization holding the 2026 Presidency of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Initiative Group, convened and chaired the meeting of the WPS Initiative Group.

The meeting provided a structured space for analysis and dialogue on the main findings of the Interim Evaluation Report of the National Programme on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for 2023–2027. The event was opened by I4DD together with the BREN II team.

In her opening remarks, Cristina Lesnic, Director of I4DD, outlined the objectives of the meeting and emphasized the strategic role of the WPS Initiative Group in monitoring and supporting the implementation of national commitments under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The I4DD team subsequently presented and discussed the key findings of the interim evaluation, guiding the dialogue toward critical questions: who benefits, who is left behind, and how current interventions shape local dynamics and perspectives.

Civil society organizations that are part of the Initiative Group presented their observations and put forward proposals regarding the implementation of the measures under the National Action Plan (NAP) 1325. They also formulated a consolidated civil society position on the recommendations and lessons learned emerging from the interim evaluation of this public policy document.

Participants further discussed the necessary follow-up actions based on the evaluation findings, as well as the potential expansion of the Initiative Group to include new members.

This meeting provides a substantial platform for an open assessment of existing progress and challenges, and for consolidating a common civil society position. A key priority is strengthening the role of national and local organizations — and of the Initiative Group itself — in the systematic monitoring of the current Programme, including through data collection, trend analysis and identification of gaps. Civil society expertise must be leveraged not only to track progress, but also to shape the monitoring indicators for the next national framework on Women, Peace and Security. Integrating these perspectives will enable more coherent, evidence-based and sustainable policies.

Cristina Lesnic, Director of I4DD

Following the meeting, the WPS Initiative Group agreed on several actions aimed at enhancing human and community security through the lens of NAP 1325.

The event was the first activity carried out under the project “GROWING A SAFER MOLDOVA” , implemented by the Institute for Democracy and Development within the BREN II programme, with the support of the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) and the UK Government.

The project aims to strengthen institutional security and resilience in the Republic of Moldova by enhancing the capacities, coordination and preparedness of key actors. It also contributes to the practical application of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the Triple Nexus approach, while reinforcing the role of civil society in building community resilience and promoting evidence-based policy dialogue.

The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of IWPR or the UK Government.