It is the first time that 'social cohesion' has been prioritized by the Moldovan national authorities under the government program 'Diaspora Succeeds at Home DAR 1+3'. 

Chisinau, June 13 Sustainable waste management, disaster preparedness equipment, green energy, street lighting, heating systems in schools, kindergarten renovation, tourism infrastructure, and recreational and sports areas are some of the key sectors selected among the projects supported by IOM through a financial contribution worth of USD 230,000.

The IOM matching grants, supported by the PRM (Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration) of the US, matching the financial contributions of the central government, local authorities, the Moldovan diaspora, and the private sector. Among the 16 awarded projects are initiatives aimed at enhancing social cohesion among refugees and local communities, both of which will benefit greatly from installing solar panels to facilitate sustainable access to water resources to the local community and boost its ability to adapt to climate change, installing streetlamps to enhance street safety and encourage community interaction.

Another example is spaces envisaged for joint activities where both local communities and refugees can meet and arrange diverse social pursuits, thus enhancing social cohesion, integration, cultural exchange through interactions on the renewed facilities such as playgrounds, sport installations, and recreational areas.

To foster a comfortable environment for learning, integration, and enhanced healthcare, the initiative supported access to medical services, education, and proper learning infrastructure for refugee and Moldovan children, and focused on enhancing the heating system for a school and renovation of the medical facilities in rural areas. The DAR 1+3 Programme, coordinated by the Diaspora Relations Bureau, was established in 2020 to provide local public authorities with tools to encourage and stimulate the implementation of local development projects in collaboration with diaspora associations, the private sector, hometown associations, and other initiative groups.

The following local public authorities received support: Izbiște, Pelinia, Pitușca, Corjeuți, Bădragii Noi, Leova, Geamana, Sărata Veche, Gangura, Stolniceni, Cioc-Maidan, Văleni, Anenii Noi, Hirbovat, Seliște, and Telita.

The IOM contribution to DAR 1+3 was made possible with the generous financial support of the US government.

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For more information, please contact:

Riccardo Severi, Communications and Public Information Officer, IOM Moldova, rseveri@iom.int