The European Union supports the civil society’s efforts in the process of implementing innovatory solutions that refer to the promotion of the social inclusion of persons with disabilities and vulnerable persons who were affected by the pandemic. Owing to the successful implementation of the EU-funded project “Better Social Services through a Sustainable Partnership between Civil Society and the Government”, over 1,000 children from vulnerable groups and about 1,260 persons with disabilities have benefitted from community social services adjusted to their needs. The results of the project were presented in an online final conference that was hosted by Soros Foundation Moldova, IPN reports.
In the event, EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Michalko said the COVID-19 pandemic affected the vulnerable persons in a disproportionate way and the 42 social services created in 24 districts of Moldova with the funds allocated by the EU enabled to support the persons who needed assistance in these difficult times.
Petru Culeac, executive director of Soros Foundation Moldova, said their daily work, on the one hand, seems to be an invisible struggle for life, health and human dignity, but on the other hand, it produces results that are seen in each community where the necessary social services were developed. “A crucial role in this project was played by the institutions of the local public administration that, during the three-year project, had been an invaluable partner of civil society, bearing their burden in this project. The LPAs will ensure the sustainability of these services in the long run. I also highlight the fundamental role of the project implementation teams, Soros Moldova, Keystone Moldova, the Alliance of Active NGOs in the field of Child and Family Social Protection and the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities. Owing to the devoted work of the implementation teams, this project was completed successfully and produced the expected impact. The project “Better Social Services” stimulated the local-level initiatives and helped communities in the country to create new social services or to develop the existing ones,” stated Petru Culeac.
Project manager Daniela Leahu said that 33 civil society organizations benefitted from grants for developing social services in Moldova’s towns and villages. In 24 districts of the country, there were developed social services intended for persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities and children from vulnerable groups. At the same time, 100 persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities left national residential institutions, returning to the biological families or joining the Protected Home or Community House services.
The project “Better Social Services through a Sustainable Partnership between Civil Society and the Government” is financed by the European Union and is co-financed and implemented by Soros Foundation Moldova in partnership with Keystone Moldova, the Alliance of Active NGOs in the field of Child and Family Social Protection and the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities of the Republic of Moldova.
