Diaspora Days took place at local level in 50 communities of the Republic of Moldova, with the support of UNDP’s Migration and Local Development Project, funded by the Government of Switzerland.

Over 3,000 natives who returned temporarily to their hometowns reconnected with the local development course. They got involved in local priority planning sessions, learned about the results of over 30 initiatives implemented with diaspora’s support and launched 45 new community projects.

“‘For four years now, we feel that we are really being waited for at home. Although we work abroad, we want the city of Ialoveni to be beautiful and developed, so we can happily return home. We are glad to be informed about everything that happens home and so we can contribute to the development of our hometown together with the local government and citizens. Together we achieved a lot. Now we intend to twin the Ialoveni mayoralty with the one of Letterkenny town, where we currently reside. This will make it easier for Ialoveni to attract necessary projects,” mentioned Tatiana Ciubuc, native of Ialoveni town, residing in Ireland.

The Diaspora Days agenda included cultural and gastronomic events organised for the natives who returned home: crafts exhibitions, tasting of traditional food, master classes on pottery, weaving and cooking.

“Diaspora Days are a unique opportunity when one third of the local population, who have left the community, plan community development together with the local authorities. Our hometown association helps attract important resources for local development projects, based on action plans developed in a participative manner. During 2018-2019, around 30 per cent of all projects implemented in Cioresti were developed and implemented with the support of the Hometown Association,” stated Valeriu Gutu, mayor of Cioresti.

Also, business forums were organized in the 35 communities that are partners of the UNDP’s Migration and Local Development Project. They brought together around 600 entrepreneurs in an effort to explore the local economic development potential and priorities.

“The dialogue between entrepreneurs and local authorities contributes to making joint commitments towards rethinking and expediting the local economy. This is a precondition for the development of local economy and creation of decent jobs. The aforementioned might directly influence people’s opinion to stay or return to the country together with their families,” stated Andrei Darie, Programme Specialist, UNDP Moldova.

Employees of the National Employment Agency’s territorial offices conducted over 60 events aimed at presenting services of reintegrating migrants on the national labour market.

Another event that took place during Diaspora Days was the national youth camp “E-way to home”, which inspired 36 young people to become drivers of local development and encourage their peers from the diaspora to take part in actions meant to develop their home communities.

Over 40 live broadcasts of local events on the pages of hometown associations ensured the presence of those who could not attend the events. Thus, they are informed about the decisions made in the community and how they can get involved in local development.

35 local communities were selected on a competitive basis as part of the second phase of UNDP’s Migration and Local Development Project. These target communities shall learn to capitalize on the potential of migration for local development. With a total budget of USD 6.4 million, this project phase will be implemented between 2019 and 2022.