Moldova Matters Turns Four!
Thank you all for your support!!
It’s now been 4 years since I hit publish on the first Moldova Matters Weekly Roundup back on February 19th 2021. And wow… what a long strange trip it’s been.
I won’t dwell too much on just how much happened in Moldova last year. I’ve already written about it in the year in review article and it almost boggles the mind to consider just how much change 12 months can bring. When I started this newsletter conventional wisdom said that Moldova was a small country more or less on the road to nowhere. Travelers and commerce had no specific reason to transit Moldova and the country existing in a small, tranquil corner of Europe that was largely ignored. Suffice to say that has changed and world events continue to put Moldova on the map - in ways both good and bad. I set out to make the case that Moldova Matters. That case has gotten easier to make over time, but this has only increased the urgency for solid understandings of how Moldova works. I’ve been proud to play some small part in filling that need.
Over the last year we’ve had some big changes with the newsletter. Last summer I launched a first season of the Moldova Matters podcast where, over 8 episodes, I experimented with a new format. I got great reader / listener feedback about what worked and what didn’t and I plan on continuing with the podcast with a new “season” this year. Just like last I hope to focus on bigger topics than the day to day news - the history of what got us here, economic trends, the nature of reforms and more. I want to put out episodes that don’t get stale as soon as the news cycle ends and I’m happy with how that worked out last year. If you haven’t listened to the episode on Transnistria you really should!
Another major change was conducting original investigations. As I’ve mentioned before this kind of content will be sporadic but (I suspect) will remain relevant as the world lurches into whatever this new crisis is. Doing this work has been *extremely* time consuming but it seemed to infuriate people who did not want their actions exposed so that was nice.
All in all it was another year of changes. I hope 2025 will also bring lots of positive changes and see Moldova Matters grow into a better, more sustainable project.
There’s that word “sustainable” - and yes, it is code for financially self sufficient. Over time lots of people have reached out to ask how they can support this project. I’ve put some thought into that question and have few more answers than I did before!
Subscribe - or Call me for Your Next Event!
First and foremost, if you haven’t already please become a paid subscriber. This newsletter takes quite a lot of work so if you find value in what you are reading consider becoming a supporter!
Looking beyond subscriptions, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that I do speaking events, consulting work and analysis / research work as well. I’ve decided to ad a “Contact” tab at the top of the webpage with information about this and how to get in touch. If you need an expert on Moldova for your next conference feel free to reach out!
Additionally, I’ve thought for a long while about advertising and sponsorships. This newsletter is never going to bombard readers with ads - so don’t worry about that. At the same time I know how extraordinarily difficult it is for me to reach new readers who are interested in Moldova. It’s a niche topic with people spread out all over the world. If there was a similar newsletter when I launched I would have been thrilled to pay for a sponsorship.
So I’m open to some end of email ads or discussions about sponsorships. I haven’t decided on whether or not to go down this road but I’m open to a conversation - if you or your organization is interested, reach out and we can talk.
If none of that appeals to you, you can always buy me a coffee (or a few)!
Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me since the beginning and for all the new readers and friends I’ve met along the way. I’m always delighted that so many readers send me thoughtful, challenging questions and comments. Those of us interested in Moldovan politics and life, either for work or because we call this country home, are a small group. But my experience has been that this newsletter has grown into a great community of interest and I am thrilled to be part of it. Once again, Thank You - your support continues to make this newsletter possible and for that I’m incredibly grateful.
Wow David, hard to believe it's been 4 years! I have always loved reading your work to keep my connections with Moldova after finishing my Peace Corps service in 2017. And because I know you personally and always felt a little bit of home at Smokehouse. But watching your writing and subject matter grow has become more meaningful as events in Eastern Europe change.
MM has helped my knowledge of a part of the world too many know nothing about continue to grow. I visited many of the places where current events in Eastern Europe are happening so I feel a tie others don't have. I also am proud and at the same time afraid for my friends and the citizens of Moldova. Keeping this connection feels more important every day. I feel a bit of comfort knowing you're there sharing a concise and knowledgeable accounting of what's happening. Keep up the good work. It has been a pleasure watching your work grow and continue to be more and more meaningful for so many.