PHOTO // Great National Planting campaign starts in central Moldova settlement; about 1,200 people to plant 40 hectares of forest in Prut River meadow

The Great National Planting campaign today started in the Prut River meadow, in the commune of Poganesti, Hancesti district, where around 1,200 people will plant 40 hectares of poplar trees. The action is part of the #ForestGeneration campaign and is taking place in more than 80 locations across Moldova.

Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder said he was proud of this initiative, which brings people together to contribute to greening the country. The official expressed conviction that, over time, the programme would become a genuine tradition.

„Each time, I notice that more and more people are getting involved, and this is very important. I very much want that, when we are asked: „What makes you proud of your country?”, one of the answers should be #ForestGeneration and the people who plant trees. We should be able to say with pride: „We have a wonderful tradition in Moldova: every spring and every autumn, we gather to plant a forest!”. I am sure that, by the end of today, we will have planted 40 hectares of forest here in Poganesti. At the national level, there are 81 locations available for everyone who wants to get involved. I am convinced that, by the end of the day, we will count several hundred hectares of new forest for Moldova and this is very important,” the official said.

Gheorghe Hajder said that every effort must be made to ensure that this tradition continues. The minister noted that Moldova had fallen far behind in the afforestation process, but is now achieving very good results.

„I encourage you to come back here next year, to see what has taken root from what we are planting today, and to visit other locations as well. Of course, we also face certain challenges in implementing this programme, because we are not planting under ideal conditions. Most of the time, we take over abandoned land and turn it into forests. Our goal is not to take highly productive arable land and transform it into forest. We are making use of land that is currently unused. We do not compete with agriculture or with other sectors. The Environment Ministry is doing exactly what is necessary: we are planting more trees, increasing forest coverage and turning Moldova into a greener and more forested country,” the minister added.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu is also taking part in the Great National Planting campaign. He emphasized that the action has become a nice tradition held every year, in spring and autumn.

„This is not merely a tree-planting exercise. I believe that, first and foremost, it is an opportunity for all of us to be together and do something important for ourselves and for our children. At the same time, we have the opportunity to socialize, enjoy ourselves and be useful. Congratulations on this initiative! Today I was coming from Lapusna, where a forest stand was planted two years ago. I looked at it carefully and it looks nice. Therefore, when you pass through the places where you have planted trees, stop, look around and take pride in what you have achieved! May it be a successful endeavor! May Moldova be green and beautiful!”, Igor Grosu said.

This year, the afforestation campaign is accompanied by a clothing collection drive, with the items set to be donated to people in need of support.

„It is an honor to be part of this wonderful day, when everyone has the opportunity to do two good deeds. The teams of the CONCORDIA Public Association visit families in need of help every day. For some of these families, especially during the cold season, buying a winter jacket or a pair of boots for a child is a luxury they cannot afford. That is why, we are mobilizing. We know how important these items and donations are; things that may no longer be useful to us can mean a great deal to others. When I was little, there was a small forest on the outskirts of my native village. At one point, I asked my parents where that forest had come from. They simply replied: „Some people planted it.” They were good and involved people who thought about future generations, so that we could have a more forested country. I would like, years from now, when we pass along this route, to look around with pride and be able to say to ourselves: „Look, I helped make this happen! I also contributed to this forest!”. I also promise you that I will remember not only that I helped plant this forest, but also that many of you made a donation for families in need of support,” said Tatiana Balta, executive director of the CONCORDIA Public Association.

This autumn, afforestation works are planned across 3,000 hectares, with more than 33 million seedlings grown in specialized nurseries set to be planted.

At present, the forest coverage rate of Moldova is a little bit more than 11.6 per cent, significantly below the European Union average, which exceeds 35 per cent. In recent years, more than 24,000 hectares have been afforested in the country.

The #ForestGeneration Autumn 2026 campaign is part of the National Programme for the Expansion and Rehabilitation of Forests, which aims to increase forested areas.