[Closed] Migration and Local Development (phase 2)

Status:Closed
Duration:2019 – 2022
Budget:US$6,658,172
Donor:Switzerland 
Coverage:Nationwide
Beneficiaries:National and local public authorities, migrants, community members including women, children, older persons, people with disabilities and minorities from 35 villages and towns from North, Centre, South and Gagauzia; as well migrants, including returnees accessing services provided by 35 territorial employment offices, throughout the country
Focus Area:Inclusive Growth
Partners:State Chancellery of the Republic of Moldova, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, National Employment Agency, central and local public authorities, civil society, private sector and local community including the migrants from partner localities, International Organization for Migration; Congress of Local Authorities
Project Document:
Final Report: Migration and Local Development (phase 2)  - Final Report
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.

 

Project Summary:

Globally, UNDP is working to maximize the developmental benefits of human mobility and to mitigate any negative consequences. UNDP addresses migration through development lenses and works with partner countries to balance short-term responses to addressing the impacts of emigration with long-term sustainable development solutions.

The Republic of Moldova registers high levels of emigration, with significant impact observed at local and national levels. Although larger-scale emigration from Moldova started taking place only in the early 2000s, the intentions of the Moldovan diaspora to support and invest in their home country has been consistently high. UNDP Moldova’s “Migration and Local Development” project is part of a multi-year intervention “Moldova – Making the Most of Migration” of the Swiss Development Cooperation.

Objectives:

  • Potential, current and returned migrants in the Republic of Moldova benefit from complex employment support services. To that end, national and local authorities will be fully equipped to respond to the needs of all categories of migrants at every phase of migration (pre-, post-migration);
  • Community members including the migrants are significantly involved in local development processes. Hereby, activities are focused on close cooperation with public authorities, other local actors and migrants on the efficient implementation of local development initiatives that refer to the enhancement of local services and provision of income generating opportunities at local level.

Expected results:

  • National policy, coordination, regulation and institutional framework in the area of labor migration is updated for more efficient management of labor migration;
  • Employment service providers have the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude and training to provide quality services to migrant workers; 
  • All local actors involved (local public administrations, hometown associations) have necessary skills, knowledge and instruments to implement local development initiatives looking to contribute to local development and to provide income generating opportunities at local level;
  • The experience of migrants’ engagement in the development of 35 communities is well documented and harnessed for an easy replication.

Accomplishments:

  • A more coherent and evidence-based legislative, policy framework in labour migration endorsed, enabling a safer migration and return;
  • Profile of the Moldovan migrants in six destination countries established and facilitating the policy and decision-making process;
  • Guidance and technical support provided to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for the negotiation of a new bilateral labour migration agreements;
  • Enhanced partnerships between the Moldovan Trade Union Confederation and foreign counterparts facilitated, as to enhance the protection of labour migrants’ rights;
  • The capacities of Ministry of Labour and National Employment Agency in negotiating bilateral labour agreements were strengthened with the support of the project, resulting in the implementation of a MoU on seasonal labour migration with Germany. (complemented by pre-departure sessions and continuous informational support during the entire migration cycle);
  • Informal and non-formal skills recognition mechanism successfully piloted in 10 specialized centres, reaching at least 395 beneficiaries across 46 competences, and prepared for extension to other areas;
  • Chisinau and Soroca territorial offices of the National Employment Agency modernized using user-centred techniques and offering upgraded employment services;
  • Support offered to the implementation of the secondary legislation in the area of the enhanced labour migration framework, with corresponding capacity building activities for 30 representatives of relevant authorities, as well as capacity building to the territorial offices of the National Employment Agency  (NEA) to serve the need of returning migrants;
  • The NEA’s job-placement portal (www.angajat.md) upgraded for easier job application and online fairs for outreach. The module on labour migration addressing labour migrants’ information needs on accessing the foreign labour market was updated and currently includes information (ranging from legal provisions, challenges, and opportunities for legal and safe labour migration) relevant to 39 countries of destination;
  • Hometown Associations from 98 localities implement community projects in partnership with LPAs and the active participation of the diaspora;
  • Thematic platform for Hometown Associations networking, capacity building and experience sharing established, with the participation of the Diaspora Relations Bureau and Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova;
  • Governmental programme "Diaspora Succeeds at Home" (DAR 1+3) launched following the successful partnership established with the Diaspora Relations Bureau;
  • The Alliance of Hometown Associations was established, a platform that aims to consolidate the 160 initiative groups and registered hometown associations and enhance cooperation for local development between hometown associations, local public authorities, diaspora, and residents;
  • Community-level assistance, complemented by local, diaspora, and project contributions was provided to the local campaign „My locality for peace”, joined by 29 local communities and amounted to almost $160 thousand that were directed towards the partial coverage of costs for accommodation and food for refugees.
  • Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantage (PACA) approach in supporting the local economic development was piloted, which improved the local business environment and created additional income generating opportunities for 28 beneficiary-municipalities with a total population of over 200 thousand citizens (direct and indirect beneficiaries);
  • A comprehensive package of professional facilitation and capacity building activities carried out, complemented with $1.54M granting, which resulted in: 862 new jobs created, expanding/upgrading business operations of 144 existing local firms, launched 109 start-ups, co-generated investments in the of amount of $19.2M (by mobilizing $3M from private sector, $5 M from extra-budgetary public funds and $11.2M from other donors). 20% of the supported entrepreneurs are returned or circular migrants;
  • Support provided to 12 rural communities to initiate or to enhance their touristic sector, which resulted in the creation of: 15 new touristic routs, 50 newly created or expanded businesses in tourism sector, 34 new guest houses (with over 200 new accommodation places), 5 newly established local touristic information centers and over 17 km of access roads rehabilitated and paved.
YearsBudgetDelivery
Swiss Agency for Development and CooperationFrance
2019$1,451,985 $1,307,040
2020$2,561,155 $2,481,558
2021$1,555,829 $1,487,646
2022$1,356,136$45,500$1,360,504