This study presents an analysis of social cohesion and social capital, based on a mixed research, mainly on qualitative sources and qualitative methodology, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study captures a number of trends regarding some fundamental elements of social cohesion and social capital in the society of the Republic of Moldova: trust in state leadership institutions; the level of agreement in relation to the actions of the state authorities; the forms of social support and solidarity manifested by citizens; the level of cohesion perceived by complying with the dominant social norms, attitudes and perceptions towards a group at risk of marginalization (returned emigrants). In addition to these aspects, the article examines how the social processes observed during the pandemic and those anticipated after the COVID-19 pandemic are refl ected in the respondents’ discourse. The authors share the views of respondents that the COVID-19 pandemic offers to the civil society leaders and to the ruling elites an opportunity to learn positive coping strategies from this crisis by increasing the forms of social cohesion for the benefi t of all citizens.