44 Hometown Associations implemented community projects to improve the life of about 130,000 people thanks to grants offered by UNDP in 2019, with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland, in the framework of “Migration and Local Development” Project.

The Forum of Local Initiatives, held on 27 February in Chisinau, celebrated the results achieved. Thanks to their activism and dedication, the Hometown Associations mobilized overall USD 183,791, in addition to the USD 160,000 offered by the Government of Switzerland.

“Their achievements are indeed uplifting. The examples and figures that you could see during the exhibition of this event speak for themselves. But when talking about these 44 initiatives, I would also like to emphasize the non-tangible results - the dignity and pride experienced by thousands of Moldovan migrants, when they discovered and explored their ability to bring tangible benefits and hope for a better future to their native communities,” said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Moldova.

Those 44 Hometown Associations from various regions were awarded diplomas for their efforts both to implement projects meant to improve the local infrastructure and public services, and to engage local authorities and natives.

“The multiplying effect the Hometown Associations have in the country becomes vital, as the ‘Migration and Local Development’ Project is now in its last phase. The strategic partnerships with the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova and the Government of the Republic of Moldova played an important role and we would like to thank them for their cooperation and openness,” noted Caroline Tissot, Director of Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova.

All 44 Hometown Associations shared their experience with those 150 participants at the Forum: representatives of local authorities, initiative groups and newly created Hometown Associations.

“Mihaileni village managed to arrange a park, with the support of the Hometown Association, which managed to involve the natives that left the village. For a long time, Mihaileni was deprived of a recreation park for children and the elderly, parents and youth. Together we managed to create a common good, but first of all, to show solidarity and prove that migration can be transformed into an opportunity,” said Valerian Cecan, Mayor of Mihaileni village, Riscani district.

This year as well, the initiative groups and the newly created Hometown Associations can apply for two grant programs:

• For the “Incubator” grant program, newly created hometown associations or initiative groups that intend to set up an effective association can apply. The selected initiatives will receive up to USD 1,000 funding.
• For the “Accelerator 1+1” grant program, registered hometown associations, with demonstrated experience in implementing a local project, can apply. The associations will benefit from a grant in the form of co-financing up to USD 10,000, on the basis of a 1+1 formula (the grant’s value offered by UNDP and the Government of Switzerland to the hometown association has to be equal with the contributions collected both online and offline from the Diaspora).

The deadline for submitting applications is 24 March 2020.