More than 3,300 young people, seniors, representatives of local public authorities, and civil society from both banks of the Nistru River have developed their skills and knowledge in the field of social cohesion by participating in dialogue sessions, community initiatives, and learning programmes. The results were presented at the Social Cohesion Forum, which marks the conclusion of the pilot phase of the project “Enhancing social cohesion in Moldova through dialogue and community empowerment”. The initiative was implemented in 13 communities, with financial support from Switzerland and implemented by UNDP and UNFPA Moldova.

“One important lesson from the past 18 months is that social cohesion cannot be built by projects alone. It is built by people - by those who continue the conversations, who create opportunities for cooperation and who believe that dialogue is worth the effort,” said Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova.

“We are happy to have contributed through this joint project to creating an enabling environment for people from all walks of life, of various ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, to meet and work together, share experiences and build trust. From discussions clubs, dialogues, cultural events to volunteering for social causes, all these enhance Moldova's social fabric,” said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

„Social cohesion is not a “soft” concept. It is a strategic necessity. We have seen communities move from distance to interaction, from stereotypes to understanding, and from dialogue to action. And, most importantly, we have observed that when people are given the right space, they are ready to connect. Because without trust, participation decreases, cooperation declines, and reforms become fragile. As Moldova continues on its path toward European integration, strengthening social cohesion becomes indispensable to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Karina Nersesyan,  UNFPA Representative for the Republic of Moldova.

With the support of the project, two Intergenerational Community Centres were established in Dondușeni and Comrat. These spaces have become vibrant meeting places between generations: over 1,100 seniors learned digital skills, while young people became mentors and promoters of inclusion.

“Social cohesion means a group of people united by bonds of friendship, harmony, respect, and trust. After participating in the project activities, I returned to my college and, as a member of the Student Council and the District Youth Council of Dondușeni, I contributed to promoting initiatives for young people and to creating and organizing them,” said Denis Andruc, a 17-year-old from Dondușeni.

“This project helped us get to know each other more deeply, understand each other’s opinions, express ourselves, and communicate with the younger generation. It gave us the opportunity to give them a voice and truly listen to them. To share what we feel for them. All of this will contribute to building a better society,” notes Nina, 73, from Rîbnița.

At the same time, ten civil society organizations, thanks to funding totaling US$150,000, implemented community and cultural initiatives. More than 1,500 participants from both banks of the Nistru River were involved, including refugees and ethnic minorities.

Meanwhile, 260 representatives of local public authorities from 20 localities across the country participated in dialogue exercises, contributing to identifying the causes of the erosion of social cohesion and to developing local solutions. In parallel, a dedicated group of 28 representatives of local public authorities benefited from an in-depth six-month mentorship programme, directly contributing to the integration of these approaches into local governance practices.

Representatives of civil society came together at four thematic forums, strengthening regional cooperation and laying the foundations for a social cohesion network.

The Social Cohesion Forum provided a platform to reflect on these results and opened the discussion on how these models can be expanded at the national level.

The project will continue with a new four-year phase, thanks to a US$6.25 million investment from Switzerland. The next phase, implemented by UNDP and UNFPA, will focus on strengthening social cohesion and building trust between people and institutions, as well as among communities.