Project Summary:

The “Strengthen social cohesion through inclusive participation and empowered citizens” project is set to establish, through multi-dimensional partnerships and interventions, a model of efficient cooperation and strengthened social cohesion through empowered diaspora members, returning migrants and other citizens and responsive local governance.

Building upon the meaningful community cooperation and diaspora engagement framework established in previous SDC-UNDP interventions, the project will invest resources and efforts at local and national levels in supporting local communities to advance democratic practices and improving public participation in development outcomes. At the same time, the project includes components for advancing policy and institutional frameworks and to create an environment more conducive for resilient and democratic communities.

To complement the results already achieved, the project will also work on empowering local public authorities, community organizations (e.g. hometown associations) and local action groups to engage in community development and social cohesion initiatives.

Objectives:

• Enhancing institutional capacities of the Diaspora Relations Bureau as key executive agency in diaspora and migration policy;
• Continuing supporting the process of HTAs creation and their territorial diffusion;
• Providing the support for institutional development of the HTA Alliance as resource and knowledge center for HTAs;
• Improving skills, knowledge, attitude, training, and experience of relevant local stakeholders on integrated inclusive governance, local cooperation and outreach, and community development.

Expected results:

• 50,000 additional community members (of which 51% women, 49% men, and 10% vulnerable) will benefit from more democratic institutions, improved public services, increased social cohesion, better living conditions and human rights;
• 20 local initiatives dedicated to democratic and resilient communities will be implemented jointly by LPAs and HTAs, with participation of community members, civil society organizations, diaspora/migrants;
• 20 communities will improve their local democratic practices and increase public participation in development outcomes via a sustainable dialogue among citizens, the civil society and LPAs;
• 40 LPA representatives from 20 localities will benefit from improved skills, knowledge, attitude, training, and experience on integrated inclusive governance;
• 60 hometown associations and/or initiative groups (of which 20 new/emerging HTAs) will benefit from the assistance of the HTA Alliance to improve their skills, knowledge, attitude, training, and experience on fundraising, democratic governance, and integration of public participation;
• 1,000 community members (of which 52% women, 48% men and 15% vulnerable) and 150 diaspora representatives/migrants (of which 51% women and 49% men) will have participated in and influenced public service provision, decision-making, and budgeting in their localities;
• The capacities and program portfolio of the HTA Alliance will be consolidated to ensure the organization’s sustainability and capacities to further support Moldovan hometown associations.

Accomplishments:

• Over 75 representatives of local public authorities and civil society organizations contributed to the relaunch and consolidation of the DAR 1+3 Programme as a core Government Programme through public consultations, strengthening the policy framework for diaspora engagement and support for return.1 evidence-based analytical study informed national policies and measures on the reintegration of Moldovan citizens returning from abroad;
• 700 diaspora representatives from over 20 countries strengthened participation in policy dialogue and engagement in Moldova’s development through the Diaspora Days Diaspora Congress;
• Over 700 children and youth strengthened their connection with Moldova, social inclusion and participation in community and diaspora initiatives through the Government DOR Programme and local summer camps organized by the members of the Alliance of Hometown Associations in partnership with local public authorities;
• 20 hometown associations and local public authorities strengthened social cohesion and local democratic practices through jointly implemented community development initiatives;
• Over $55,000 in co-financing was mobilized from diaspora and local partners, increasing community ownership and the sustainability of local development interventions;
• 105 hometown associations strengthened the sustainability, representativeness and collective voice of the hometown association movement through the Alliance of Hometown Associations;
• 7 national and international partnership agreements strengthened strategic cooperation between the Alliance of Hometown Associations and key institutional partners, enhancing support for local development and diaspora engagement;
• 120 leaders from 60 hometown associations enhanced cooperation with local public authorities, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable local development processes;
• 40 cooperation agreements institutionalized collaboration between hometown associations and local public authorities, strengthening civic participation and community engagement;
• Over 400 community members, including 130 youth, strengthened capacities in participatory governance, diaspora engagement and community leadership through active participation in the Alliance School and Junior Club platforms;
• 60 women leaders enhanced their leadership capacities and participation in local development processes;
• 3 hometown associations from Sireți, Lozova and Sărata Veche adapted and replicated successful diaspora engagement practices, strengthening community participation and local diaspora outreach;
• 80 local public authorities, in partnership with CALM, strengthened institutional capacities to engage diaspora and support migrant reintegration through improved migration governance mechanisms;
• 2 Local Action Groups (LAGs) mainstreamed Diaspora, Migration and Development (DMD) principles into local development strategies, creating a replicable model for diaspora and returnee engagement in territorial development planning.