A Digital Center for Social Innovation launched on Monday will work at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. This is a major project to improve, unify and digitalize social protection services. Minister Alexei Buzu, the Center will contribute to providing higher quality services closer to vulnerable citizens, will implement programs with impact and will take part in strengthening an integrity system by reducing fraud and errors, IPN reports.
The launch of the Center was made possible with the support and implementation of UNDP Moldova, with the financial support of UNICEF Moldova, from the funds of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany, provided through the German Development Bank (KfW).
Minister Alexei Buzu said that the Ministry manages over 370 social services intended for vulnerable people. The number of beneficiaries is increasing. The Ministry manages 14 information systems. The compensation program is the most visible one.
Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova, noted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection started a complex reform to revolutionize the management and provision of social assistance, both money and services, and UNICEF has always been by its side. In her opinion, the digitization of social assistance brings benefits, including increasing the productivity of the system, the efficiency of the institution in all aspects, and this is directly reflected in the lives of the beneficiaries.
Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, said that UNDP’s support is aimed at ensuring more accessible social protection through the use of digital solutions and tools. The transformation of social protection, launched with the Restart Reform, is not only a response to the needs of vulnerable people, but it is also a proactive effort for a future where social protection is provided in an inclusive and seamless way. The creation of the Center will increase the independence of the Ministry, including as regards the technical part.
A team of nine people works within the Center. Another 14 employees are to be recruited by the end of the year.
