Public services such as emergency response, spatial planning, and infrastructure development depend on accurate and well-managed geospatial data. When data is incomplete, outdated, or difficult to share between institutions, decision-making slows down and coordination becomes more complex. As Moldova works on strengthening spatial data management within the GEO CODEX programme, an important step towards more effective and responsive governance has been made through trainings conducted by partners, ITC, and Kadaster.
As part of the GEO CODEX programme, a two-day training on spatial data management, specialists and data managers took part in a practice-oriented workshop that combined conceptual understanding with practical skills through hands-on exercises and real-world examples.
The training brought together a wide range of institutions, including the Civil Aeronautics Authority, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, National Bureau of Statistics, State Hydrometeorological Service, General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, and the Technical University of Moldova, among others. Spatial data management is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring coordination between data producers, policymakers, IT specialists, and service providers.
The workshop focused on key aspects of spatial data management within the context of digital transformation. Core topics included:
- Land governance and its spatial data
- Different types of spatial data and their applications
- Spatial data infrastructures (SDI) as part of a broader data ecosystem
- Standards and interoperability principles
- Technical elements and requirements involved in effective SDIs
“Participants gained a clearer understanding of how well-structured spatial data infrastructures support efficient land governance and data-driven decision-making. A key takeaway was the importance of adopting standards and ensuring interoperability to enable seamless data sharing across institutions,” explains Eva Unger from Kadaster, who led the two-day training in Moldova.
Through practical exercises and peer exchange, participants strengthened their ability to manage spatial data, contribute to digital transformation processes, and apply best practices in their respective professional contexts.
Early reflections of the participants promise a more coordinated approach to spatial data management, with increased awareness of the importance of interoperability, metadata, and open data principles.
“I highly appreciate the quality and relevance of the Training on Spatial Data Management within the GEO CODEX project. The expertise of the trainers and the diversity of participants from multiple public institutions created a valuable learning space and facilitated meaningful exchange of experience. As a geodesy specialist myself, this training significantly strengthened my understanding of modern NSDI concepts and will directly support the improvement of spatial data use and governance in my daily work at the Civil Aeronautics Authority.” – Mădălina Ciobanu, Civil Aeronautics Authority of Moldova
Improving spatial data management strengthens public services and spatial governance by ensuring that decisions are based on accurate, up-to-date, and accessible geographic information.
As highlighted by the Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (AGCC): “This training matters for Moldova’s Central Public Authorities because it helps build a coordinated, standards-based and digitally enabled spatial data ecosystem that improves how land and geographic information are shared, managed, and used for better governance and decision-making.”
The training marks an important step in strengthening Moldova’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure. In the coming months, AGCC will build on it by developing GIS learning materials on the government platform, helping to extend knowledge across institutions. As the project progresses, the focus will shift from learning to implementation and help turn shared understanding into practical improvements in how spatial data is managed and used. When spatial data works, public services work better.
GEO CODEX is a Government to Government (G2G) project funded by Matra, a programme focused on strengthening democratic institutions and good governance through spatial data, public-sector innovation, and peer learning is a cross-border exchange between Agency for Geodesy, Cartography and Cadaster (Republic of Moldova) and partners in the Netherlands. Matra is commissioned by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
