Viorel Ursu

Viorel Ursu joined the Open Society Institute–Brussels in 2003. He is responsible for Open Society Foundations advocacy work on EU policy towards its Eastern neighbors (Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia) and EU funding issues.

Before joining the Open Society Foundations, Ursu lectured in international law and human rights protection at the State University of Moldova. He also managed an EU-funded program introducing the first European law master's program in Moldova. At the same time he worked with the Soros Foundation–Moldova’s various programs, including civil society development, youth, and education. He was involved in developing and implementing strategies for civil society development in Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region, and managed a grantmaking program supporting community development, social integration of minorities, and human rights promotion.

Ursu holds a law degree from the State University of Moldova and an MA in European studies from the College of Europe, Warsaw. He speaks English, French, Russian, and Romanian.