Cultural Diplomacy and European Integration: The Role of Education and Civil Society in Romania and the Republic of Moldova

This paper investigates the role of the European Union’s cultural diplomacy, with a particular focus on educational and cultural policies as tools of soft power in the European integration process of Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The overall aim of the study is to explore how education can function as a strategic instrument in promoting European values, enhancing democratic practices, strengthening social cohesion, and building a shared European identity. The research problem addressed is the extent to which EU educational influence is perceived and internalized by national education systems in post-communist contexts undergoing Europeanization. The study employs an empirical design based on a structured questionnaire distributed to teaching staff in both countries. The questionnaire aimed to assess educators’ perceptions of the educational systems, the transmission of values in schools, and the EU’s influence on the development of civil society. The findings indicate that education plays a critical role in shaping attitudes towards Europe and facilitating the Europeanization process at both institutional and societal levels. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of cross-border cooperation, cultural exchange, and civil society engagement in reinforcing a common European identity. The paper concludes by proposing an integrated model of cultural diplomacy in which education, culture, and civil society act synergistically to promote democratic values and political stability in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood. These findings have practical implications for EU foreign policy and suggest future comparative research that could include other Eastern Partnership countries to validate and expand the current analysis.