About 10,000 Moldovans, who left their home communities, contributed with over USD 257,000 to the development of these localities. As a result, socio-economic services and infrastructure for about 300,000 residents were improved in 38 partner localities of the UNDP Moldova Project “Migration and Local Development”, implemented with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.

This achievement was enabled by the cooperation between 38 newly established Hometown Associations and local authorities, which implemented 55 local development projects.

“It is rewarding that the involvement of natives from 38 localities in Moldova led to better services for recreation and sports, water supply, road infrastructure, public lighting, waste management or the modernization of educational institutions. These results indicated that the collected donations generated double investment on behalf of the LPAs, local community and Hometown Associations,” mentioned Zoia Tulbure, Head of Diaspora Relations Bureau of the State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova.

The implementation of these projects was possible with the grants provided by the Government of Switzerland, in total amount of USD 1.19 million.

“We are very content that the migrants have become the key actors of local development. Such cooperation when the investment of migrants fully reflects the local needs providing better services and opportunities for those left at home, is a perfect model that addresses the positive side of migration and ensures local sustainable development,” said Caroline Tissot, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Bureau in the Republic of Moldova.

Innovative instruments such as live broadcast of plenary sessions of the local councils and crowdfunding campaigns were used to engage migrants, promote volunteering and enhance local governance.  

“Moldovan communities are regional front-runners when it comes to tapping the potential of migration and the diaspora. I am impressed by the determination and efforts of the 38 Hometown Associations established with UNDP and SDC support, which provided a platform for close to 9,000 migrants to contribute financially through crowdfunding to 55 local projects, bringing better services to more than 300,000 women and men,” said Stefan Liller, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Moldova.

In just three years, the newly created 38 Hometown Associations implemented over 300 initiatives in beneficiary communities of the UNDP Migration and Local Development Project.

“Homecoming is always an important and emotional moment in the life of every person. That is why we organize each year the Diaspora Days, online campaigns, as well as events to involve those living abroad in the community life, to create a relation based on trust and transparency in actions. In just three years since the creation of the Hometown Association, we succeeded to promote numerous small initiatives and two local big projects. Thanks to the involvement of the natives we now have access to water and a beautifully arranged park,” mentioned Valentina Carastan, the mayor of Slobozia Mare village, Cahul district.

Communication with natives was ensured through 200 events organized with the participation of migrants. At the same time, the social media profiles gathered about 40,000 active members.

“Once the Hometown Association was created, we started focusing on activities to mobilize the natives from Congaz, who live all over the globe. By creating social networking groups, we succeeded to collect contributions to implement two projects. Building a bridge between the natives who left, and the local community is of utmost importance,” said Mihail Șalvir, chairperson of the Hometown Association from Congaz village, ATU Gagauzia.

The cooperation model between the community and the newly established Hometown Association was taken over by other 101 localities throughout the country, which implemented about 300 initiatives, in total amount of USD 235,000.

The UNDP Migration and Local Development Project supported the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection and the National Employment Agency in implementing policies and delivering quality services to reintegrate and employ returned migrants. As a result, the National Employment Strategy for 2017 – 2021 was developed and the referral mechanism for returned migrants was established. Hence, over 5,800 Moldovan returnees benefited from employment support during 2015-2018.

All these results were presented over the event conducted on the International Migrants Day. A motivational song and video clip “With Longing and Love from Home” was launched on the 18^th of December depicting 11 celebrities from 38 partner localities. The song and video are launched as part of the national campaign “prOMotorul de ACASĂ” conducted by UNDP Moldova, with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.

The UNDP Migration and Local Development in Moldova Project was implemented during 2015-2018 in 38 localities throughout the country, that were selected on a competitive basis.