OSCE Mission to Moldova holds first forum for NGOs from Gagauz Autonomy, Taraclia district and international donors

The OSCE Mission to Moldova on 8 November 2016 organized its first forum for non-governmental organizations from Gagauz Autonomy and the district of Taraclia, and international donors, providing a platform for 52 participants to foster partnerships between NGOs outside the capital and international agencies and embassies based in Chisinau.

At the event, civil society representatives described their work as well as the specific challenges of working in a local context. At the same time, donors shared lessons-learned and their plans for supporting the development and engagement of Moldova’s civil society, including those in the Gagauz Autonomy and the district of Taraclia. The event brought to light that non-governmental organizations in the regions struggle to access donor funding, which negatively impacts their capacity to develop. The result is that the scope of civil society work in Gagauzia and Taraclia district is more circumspect than in Chisinau; for example, business consulting and the protection of the environment are underrepresented.

“The challenges any country confronts as it addresses social issues, public health and the protection of the environment as well the promotion of economic growth are immense. This is especially true for a country like the Republic of Moldova as it tackles a broad range of development reforms,” said Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

“We believe that an active exchange between the civil society and the international donor community can only but help strengthen the critical role civil society plays in the development of the country. If local communities are to benefit, then international donors must connect directly with Moldovan NGOs in the region, and in this case, the Gagauz Autonomy and the district of Taraclia.”

The Forum is part of the project on increasing the civic participation of youth and civil society belonging to national minorities, which is being implemented by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in partnership with the NGO Piligrim-Demo.