The program of grants provided by the USAID within the Moldova Civil Society Strengthening Program, implemented by FHI 360, has been completed. During four years, more than 200 nongovernmental organizations of Moldova benefited from financing for developing public policies and diversifying the provided services.

FHI 360 program director Anatol Beleac said that the NGOs in 2009-2013 put forward plans of action for solving problems related to the observance of human rights, promotion of persons with disabilities and activities aimed at dealing with environment-related problems and regional activities. The organizations that applied for grants were to meet a number of conditions, including to engage the community in designing projects.

“We aimed to identify the problems faced by the ordinary people. Money was offered for solving such community problems as the repair of a bridge in a village and the reinforcing of a levee that posed a threat to the settlement,” said Anatolie Beleac.

Another condition was for the NGOs to focus on their organizational development and financial viability by diversifying the services provided by them so that they become less dependent on foreign donations. The grants provided varied between US$20,000 and US$80,000. The organizations were to make their own contribution.

Silvia Strelciuc, director of the Cahul Center “Contact”, said that within the grants program the association managed to diversify its services. A number of the organization’s activities were included in the action plan of the Regional Development Agency “Sud” and partnerships were established with the central and local public authorities. “Owing to this program, we succeeded in developing the organizational component. This allowed us to believe in our own forces more. We bought the necessary equipment and improved the policies on communication and financial management. We developed as a sustainable organization,” she stated.

Silvia Strelciuc added that the Center “Contact” is now less dependent on foreign donations, provides services for the local authorities, devises strategic planning projects and facilitates the implementation of regional development strategies in districts. In the last two years, the share of incomes earned from providing services rose from 1% to 7%.