Local committees in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees

Displaced Ukrainians in Moldova face many barriers when trying to access essential services in the towns, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. In turn, local and national authorities lack sufficient data on needs and challenges that migrants have when accessing social services and to be able to make informed decisions.

Since December 2024, the project funded through the MPF, Cities and Regions for All (CR4A): Full Integration of Refugees and Migrants in Urban and Rural Environments, and implemented by People in Need International, wants to help overcome these challenges.

Focusing their activities on Ukrainian nationals residing in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau as well Cahul and Bălți, the project Cities and Regions for All wants to bridge gaps and create a more inclusive and responsive system to address the needs of migrants and refugees through social services.

A participatory approach

To achieve these goals, the team on the ground is making use of participatory techniques. For example, during the summer of 2025, the project team created a call for Ukrainian volunteers to join community committees addressing their specific needs in different areas including education, livelihoods, and social services.

As a result, five committees are being established. One in Chișinău, Cahul and Bălți are already operative and two more will be set up in Chisinau by midle of October 2025.All committees are focused on supporting migrants and Ukrainian refugees, individuals and tier families.

“We are deeply grateful to the European Union for its support and to the Municipality of Prague 5, whose vision made this participatory approach possible. By involving Ukrainians directly in shaping the services and support they receive, we are investing not only in their well-being, but in Moldova’s future—a future rooted in inclusion, fairness, and the opportunity for everyone to call this country ‘home’.”

— Nino Karanadze, Head of Programmes at People in Need Moldova

How do the committees work?

Each committee will conduct 10 sessions. bi-weekly, one meeting will be dedicated to a specific topic, such as housing, administration, or social integration. After the 10 sessions, an action plan will be developed for each of these areas. It is expected that the overall process will last around five months.

In turn, all members of the community committees will be trained by the Social Inclusion and Protection team of People in Need International in human rights, protection principles and available services in these towns. The needs expressed by the committees will be channelled through advocacy actions aimed at removing or reducing the identified barriers.

Other areas of action for CR4A

In parallel, the project also works with local, national authorities and Social Assistance Territorial Agencies (ATAS) to revise strategies and workplans relating to areas such as protection and social assistance, education, and employment and ensure they reflect the needs of displaced, refugee and migrant populations. Alongside this, the project will formulate recommendations for revising policy and legislative frameworks at the national level.

Background information

This project funded by the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund through the Migration Partnership Facility of ICMPD is implemented by Prague 5 Municipal District (Czechia) in collaboration with People in Need.

In the 30-month expected timeframe for activities, the project will equip Moldovan municipalities, ministries and the Social Assistance Territorial Agency (ATAS) with essential know-how, resources and training to improve the efficiency and accessibility of services provided to migrants and refugees.

Further information about project activities and goals is available on the MPF Info Note.