An Alliance of Hometown Associations was established as a platform that aims to enhance cooperation for local development between hometown associations, local public authorities, diaspora, and residents, IPN reports, quoting a press release of UNDP Moldova.
The establishment of the Alliance of Hometown Associations is a natural step in the consolidation of the 160 registered hometown associations and initiative groups that have been active since 2015 with the support of the UNDP project “Migration and local development”, funded by the Government of Switzerland. Since then, hometown associations have proven that they are entities capable of significantly contributing to local development.
“Once officialised, the Alliance of Hometown Associations will assist its members to better respond to local needs and emerging priorities, bringing more innovation, sustainability, and resilience to the local presence, and help to building sustainable partnerships,” said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.
“When people unite forces to create more for the Republic of Moldova, change comes not only from the government, but from the whole society. Our country needs strong communities and the initiative that is being launched today will make an essential contribution to this process,” said Dumitru Udrea, Secretary General of the Government of the Republic of Moldova.
On 16 September 16, the Alliance’s founding documents were adopted and the Board and Secretariat were elected. Anastasia Rusu, Executive Director of the Cimișlia Hometown Association, was appointed as Chairperson in charge of domestic relations, and Victoria Dunford, founder of MAD-Aid CSO, was elected as Chairperson responsible for relations with the diaspora.
