Supporting the implementation of the migration and development component of the EU-Moldova Mobility Partnership and harnessing its benefits for the residents of Transnistria (SIMP II)

The main objective of the SIMP II project is to support the implementation of the migration and development component of the EU-Moldova Mobility Partnership in order to minimize the negative effects of migration as well as harness the benefits of migration for development purposes. The benefits of the partnership will also be extended to the Transnistria Region of the Republic of Moldova in order to contribute to the confidence building measures between the right-bank and the left-bank territory. The confidence building measures are meant to diminish the social pressure caused by the unsettled conflict over the societies.

To achieve the overall objective, the project offers a comprehensive approach -- with four specific objectives -- that build on the existing capacity of the national public services with a migration management mandate.

The four objectives of the project are:

• To improve the links between the academic and research community on both banks of the river Nistru and enhance the capacity of the Transnistria academic and research community, through fostering the implementation of the EU Moldova Mobility Partnership. This will be done through updating and expanding the so-called “Extended Migration Profile” to include the Transnistria Region, as well as through the exercise of diaspora mapping.
• To improve the Government’s and local authorities’ capacity in diaspora programming and enhance the capacity of migrant associations and initiative groups in destination countries (including those originating from the Transnistria Region) to become active in support of local development.
• To enhance the protection of the rights and the social security of Moldovan migrants working abroad, including the ones originating from the Transnistria Region by developing and implementing innovative return and reintegration programmes, as well as promotion of economic empowerment of returning migrant workers entrepreneurs and rural youth and women - including the Transnistria Region residents.
• To identify, develop and implement specific activities targeting family members left behind by migrants, including the Transnistria Region residents, as well as other vulnerable groups of the population affected by migration. The project should take into account their vulnerability in order to minimize the negative effects of migration.