The Institute for Rural Initiatives (iRi) has successfully completed the project named “MEET UA: Meet, Engage, Embrace, Integrate”, implemented from April 2023 to February 2024, as a response to the needs of integration of displaced persons from Ukraine in the Republic of Moldova.
The project was a concerted effort by the iRi team and local partners to identify and implement solutions for the prompt and effective integration of displaced people from Ukraine. The aim of the project was double: to provide direct support to refugees in their integration process and to strengthen the capacities of host communities, with a focus on institutions and civic groups in those three project localities: Chisinau, Cahul, Drochia.
The project initiated an innovative mechanism of cooperation between local public administrations and other local stakeholders to directly address the challenges faced by refugees at the local level.
“We signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Cahul General Directorate of Education for a more effective partnership to improve the quality of formal and non-formal education in support of refugee and non-refugee children.” – Tatiana Tronciu, the leader of the Cahul MIT team.
The inter-community teams (MIT) created in mun. Chisinau, Drochia and Cahul have been empowered to act as promoters of available public services and have had a significant impact on the lives of over 200 people displaced from Ukraine in Moldova. These teams have been able to provide essential wide-range support to refugees and non-refugees: social assistance, psychological counselling, information assistance, guidance in administrative procedures, support in finding accomodation, education, health care and integration in society in general.
“How did we do it? We got in touch with all relevant stakeholders in Drochia, in particular with the Directorate of Social Assistance and Family Protection, then we researched on social media NGOs that provided support for refugees. We contacted them and organised the first round table. Thus, we worked out together the list of institutions and organizations offering support to refugees both in Drochia district and across Moldova.” – Mariana Bruma, the leader of the MIT Drochia team.
Within the project, 3 MEET Community Centres were created in three project localities. These Centres became friendly spaces for refugees where they had access to relevant information, psycho-social support as well as recreational and developmental activities for children and parents.
The beneficiaries of MEET Centres through the organised activities had the opportunity to mitigate the effect of war through socialising, learning, joint activities with children, parenting and creating new lasting friendships. These centres were more than just a place to meet, they became real extended families for refugees, non-refugees and their members.
“My daughter Sonea was overwhelmed by the experts, the atmosphere and the mode of teaching at the Lab Design course – expression through art. This motivated her not only not to miss the classes, but also to bring her younger sister Tania.” – Elena, mother of the girl, the beneficiary of MEET Chisinau Centre.
Throughout the project, the campaign “I am from Ukraine, I like the Republic of Moldova” was run, where beneficiaries had the opportunity to share their personal success stories, thus contributing to the promotion of instruments and mechanisms created for the integration of refugees.
At the end of the project, a short material was delivered including success stories from the project with a series of recommendations to LPAs and local civil society to create/improve services for refugees and vulnerable non-refugees.
The iRi team and its partners are grateful for the support and collaboration of local communities and are committed to provide continuous support and assistance to those who face difficulties in their integration process.
For more information, details, activities related to the “MEET UA” project click here:
Meet, Engage, Embrace, Integrate: assisting Ukrainian kids and youth rehabilitation and integrating into Moldova society
MEET Centres in action during the summer time
LabDesign – creative and recreational space for parents and children from Ukraine
The activities are implemented within the regional project “Civil Society Resilience and Media Response to the War in Ukraine”, funded by the European Union in the Republic of Moldova and implemented by People in Need Moldova, in partnership with the Prague Civil Society Centre and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, with contributions from the Global Fund for Children (GFC) and developed by the Institute for Rural Initiatives/Institutul pentru Inițiative Rurale (iRi).