Twelve civil society organizations (SCOs) from six districts of the country benefitted from assistance in designing projects for applying for financing within the second call for proposals of the project “Development of civil society at the local level in the Republic of Moldova”. Consequently, two of the participating organizations obtained financing for implementing projects in the field of social inclusion of children with special educational needs and children in conflict with the law. The project is implemented by Keystone Moldova and is financed by the EU and co-financed by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, IPN reports.
According to Marcela Dilion-Strechie, Keystone Moldova program manager, in six districts (Cimișlia, Ștefan Vodă, Ialoveni, Strășeni, Florești, and Sângerei) they worked with 12 SCOs, while in three districts (Fălești, Orhei and Cantemir), they offered support and assistance in disseminating models of good practices. There were staged activities with physical presence, including before the pandemic, and online, during the pandemic. The goal of the project was to unite civil society in the six districts by creating a power pole and a common voice in the promotion of the social inclusion of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. The organizations benefited from assistance in designing projects for which financing was asked.
A number of mentoring activities were held as part of the project to inform the organizations and local social assistance bodies. There were worked out a good practices guide entitled “Voice of Civil Society for Inclusion” and conducted an impact study.
The project implementers aimed to support new organizations, without experience, to join platforms or alliances. Six organizations were this way helped to join the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities.
“The project contributed to strengthening the capacities of 12 civil society organizations and representatives of LPAs in the field of promotion of nondiscrimination and ensuring of the social inclusion of persons with disabilities. The project also improved the skills in ensuring the financial sustainability of organizations by using different means, such as project writing and management, collection of funds, development of capacities for contracting social services provided by NGOs, development of public-private partnerships at the local level. The joining by five organizations of the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Moldova was of special importance,” stated Ludmila Malcoci, Keystone Moldova executive director.
Ana Severin, team leader of the project “Development of civil society at the local level in the Republic of Moldova”, said this is a project centering on professionalism exported to regions, on transfer of experience with the aim of strengthening the organizations, primarily those from regions.
The project “Development of civil society at the local level in the Republic of Moldova”, which is financed by the EU and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), in 2019-2021 offered grants to the value of about €3 million to SCOs. The total cost of the project is €59,800.
