Study: Working conditions and access to social protection in Moldova’s independent cultural sector

The independent cultural sector in the Republic of Moldova operates within a fragile framework, marked by financial instability, atypical labor arrangements, and limited access to social protection. Recently, Lilia Nenescu—an anthropologist, activist, and project coordinator dedicated to human rights, civic participation, and urban sustainability—conducted a study examining the working conditions of independent artists and cultural workers.

The study provides a detailed picture of the forms of labor, sources of income, social vulnerabilities, and systemic challenges faced by those working in this sector. It also identifies the main legislative gaps and mechanisms that restrict cultural workers’ access to fundamental rights.

The research highlights the structural problems of the independent cultural sector and will serve as a foundation for launching a pre-advocacy campaign on the Status of the Cultural Worker in the Republic of Moldova. In the coming period, we will communicate the study’s key findings to bring to the attention of both the public and decision-makers the urgency of adopting measures that improve working conditions in this field.