A seminar about “Increasing the capacity of workers' organizations from candidate countries by increasing the competence of members” took place in Baile Felix / Romania from 22 to 25 October 2025, organised by IFES (Institutul de Formare Economică şi Socială) in coooperation with Parteneriatul pentru Protectia Angajatilor, supported by EZA and funded by the European Union. It was organized within the framework of the EZA special project for workers' organisations in candidate countries. 37 representatives of trade unions and other workers’ organisations from Ukraine, Republic of Moldavia, Belgium and Romania participated in the seminar.
The aim of the seminar was to share with workers' organizations from the new candidate countries for accession in the European Union the knowledge and the experience of some representative leaders and experts on subjects such as: (1) the content of the acquis Communautaire in areas such as labour law, collective and individual freedoms; (2) social dialogue at all levels; (3) communication, both inside and outside organizations, (4) occupational health and safety.
The project supported organizations from new candidate countries such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Representatives from the participating organization accumulated knowledge about the topics mentioned above. The seminar was an important opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the Romanian participants
Through the knowledge gained, the organizational capacity of the represented organisation can increase for the benefit of their members. They should ensure a better involvement in the process of integration into the European Union, more effective participation in social dialogue in the interest of union members and all workers from these countries. Good practices in social dialogue should be transferred from Member States that have already gone through the integration process or from countries with a solid tradition in this democratic practice.
The topics considered during the seminar were:
The role of trade unions in the process of accession and integration into the European Union. Challenges, experiences, and conclusions
Communication within and outside the organization
Social dialogue. At European and national level
Free movement of workers. Pensions. Mobility of pension rights
Institutional architecture of the European Union. Community acquis.
Chapters with social connotations
How to use technology in our organizations
How to attract and retain young people and what is their role in our organizations.
The seminar day was ended with a discussion about the support needed by the organizations from the new candidate countries in the future. The discussion was leaded by Silviu ISPAS – director IFES and the floor was given to the participants from Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. With this topic, the seminar came to the end.
As conclusions of the final discussions can be mentioned:
The request to continue the special projects for participants from the candidate countries
Several concrete topics for the coming years project came from Ukraine:
Organization of trade union work at the enterprise level.
Peculiarities of collective bargaining and conclusion of collective agreements.
Methods and ways of involving young people in the trade union.
and Republic of Moldova:
Digital transformation and dignity of work: challenges for workers in the Republic of Moldova and Eastern Europe.
Youth and new forms of employment: how can we attract and motivate their involvement in workers’ organizations?
Labor mobility and the protection of the rights of Moldovan migrant workers in Europe.
Work-life Balance: a new post-pandemic work culture.
Social dialogue for the green and digital transition in the Republic of Moldova.