08th February 2024, London/ Chișinău – As part of the Diaspora 4 Climate Action (D4C) project, IOM hosted the first project steering committee meeting with the Moldovan government officials attended, among others, by the Minister of the Environment, Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, State Secretary of the Government, Ana Calinici, and the Head of the Diaspora Relations Bureau, Violina Donu.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has officially welcomed the Republic of Moldova as a participating country in the D4C project. Funded by the IOM Development Fund, the project aims to strengthen global action on climate change through diaspora engagement in priority sectors identified by national governments and their partners. With the participation of Moldova, in addition to Bangladesh, Ghana and Jamaica, the D4C project is now implemented in four continents. The D4C project aims to create a model for other countries to promote the unique role diaspora can play in advancing national climate action.

According to the World Bank Moldova ranks as the most climate vulnerable country in Europe.  Moldova is highly vulnerable to natural hazards like droughts, late spring frosts, hail, floods, and severe storms, which have been affecting the agriculture sector and the country’s socioeconomic development. A recent report indicates that the 2008 floods in Moldova resulted in costs exceeding USD $120 million, and the droughts between 2007 and 2012 inflicted damages over USD $1 billion dollars, affecting 80% of the country's territory. “Climate change is already shaping human mobility and causing millions to leave their homes. However, migrants and diaspora communities can also be part of the solution.” says Christa Rottensteiner, Chief of Mission of IOM in the United Kingdom.

She adds, “The UK is home to some of the largest diaspora communities worldwide and their contribution to both their countries of origin and residence is key to accelerate climate action and address one of the greatest challenges of our time.”

IOM in the UK and in Moldova will work closely with the UK-based Moldovan diaspora, as well as the Diaspora Relations Bureau, Ministry of Environment and Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) in Moldova, and other national stakeholders to build stronger connections and foster diaspora contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

"Through this action-oriented project we will strengthen the role of diaspora, in cooperation with national and local authorities, and UN agencies in the Republic of Moldova.

Moldova is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in Europe, and we believe that this joint work will create enabling conditions for all migrants and their families to benefit from new income opportunities and contribute to the transition to a green economy”, said Lars Johan Lönnback, IOM Moldova’s Chief of Mission.

During the event, IOM presented their report conducted jointly with the University of Vienna on climate change and migration in Moldova. The report found that migration is of high importance for the Republic of Moldova’s overall economic and social development, and has also considerable impacts on local, the commune level. Migration’s contribution to these spheres needs to reach its full potential.

As part of the D4C project, IOM will support the Moldovan government-led initiative ‘Diaspora Succeeds at Home’ (DAR 1+3) that links diaspora contributions to local development projects. IOM’s D4C will support local projects that promote biodiversity conservation, clean energy, circular economy, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and green renovation.

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For more information, please contact: 

Ghenadie Cretu, Program Coordinator / Analyst - Migration & Development, gcretu@iom.int, IOM Moldova
Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, rseveri@iom.int, IOM Moldova