LocationsFor the first time in Moldova, every mayor, local councilor and municipality employee can learn online how to involve migrants in local development. This is possible due to an e-training course available on the e-learning platform of the Public Administration Academy.
The course has been developed following an involvement model created and tested by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland during 2015-2018.
This course reflects a stringent need, as 30% of the rural population has left abroad. Under these circumstances, the local authorities face great challenges in developing local communities.
With the creation of Hometown Associations and their partnership with the local authorities, the Moldovans who left abroad were consulted and involved in local matters. In this context, an innovative model of Diaspora involvement in local development has been developed. It is based on a 5-step mechanism: evidence-based policies, strong institutions, innovation, transparency and participation.
In the last 4 years, about 80 communities benefitting from the “Migration and Local Development” project implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland, assigned focal point on migration and development as part of the local public administration. With their support, tangible results of improving living conditions at local level were achieved. Due to the effort made by migration focal points, over 20,000 migrants took part in the development of local socio-economic development strategies.
During 2015-2018, over 10 thousand Moldovans transferred online more than 257,000 dollars for 55 infrastructure and social-cultural projects implemented in 38 partner communities of the UNDP Project “Migration and Local Development”. Then, this model was replicated by other 100 communities from Moldova, proving that they can capitalize on migration by attracting the natives who went abroad in the development of their native communities.
“To replicate the model nationwide, the Moldovan Government has adopted the Diaspora Succeeds at Home DAR 1+3 Program, approved by government decision, and UNDP Moldova has developed this online course. Thus, all the local and central authorities have the possibility to apply this tool of direct dialogue and cooperation with the natives. In case of specific issues regarding the creation of Hometown Associations and their cooperation with the local authorities, they can also be clarified with the Congress of Local Public Authorities that provides all the necessary assistance,” says Zinaida Adam, manager of the “Migration and Local Development” project.
The six modules of the e-course “Diaspora, Migration, Development and Reintegration” refer to: 1) Diaspora, migration and development; 2) Impact of international migration on the economic development of the Republic of Moldova; 3) Impact of migration on social development; 4) Mainstreaming migration in policy development; 5) Creation and development of Hometown Associations; 6) Reintegration of returnees. The e-learning course targets public servants in charge of migration issues from local and central public authorities.
Each beneficiary of the academy can sign up for the available courses under the conditions specified in the ads that are periodically posted on the Public Administration Academy website: www.aap.gov.md
Upon completion of the e-training course, the Public Administration Academy issues a certificate of graduation.
The e-course has been developed within the UNDP project “Migration and Local Development” financed by the Government of Switzerland in partnership with the Diaspora Relations Bureau, the International Organization for Migration and the Public Administration Academy.
