The project “Rule of Law, Human Rights and Justice”, funded by the International Organization of the Francophonie, was carried out between November 2022 and March 2023 and had the overall objective of ensuring respect for and prevention of human rights violations in the Republic of Moldova, in particular in the areas of migration, asylum, statelessness and integration of foreigners.

Within the framework of the project, 17 training sessions were conducted and 261 persons were trained, four training courses in the field of migration, asylum, statelessness and integration of foreigners were developed and piloted for social/ guardianship authorities, lawyers, representatives of NGOs.

The trainings were attended by 152 social workers, specialists in the field of child rights protection from Ungheni, Basabareasca, Anenii Noi, Causenii, Cahul districts.

The trainings organized by CDA were also attended by 35 lawyers and 80 members of 11 non-governmental organizations: Caritas, Artemida, Norwegian Refugee Council, Women’s Law Centre, Casa Maria, Keystone Moldova, Ukrainian Congress of Moldova, Terre des Hommes, Catholic Relief Service, Sunflower Refugee Centre.

More than 81 percent of the beneficiaries of the training courses rated them as very useful and 73 percent of the participants said they gained new knowledge.

The content of the training programs, developed by the CDA, included specific topics in the field of migration and asylum that would meet the professional needs of each group and facilitate the fulfilment of workplace tasks and duties in the context of the refugee crisis in Ukraine.

The training programs contained practical information on methods and techniques of performing duties (in accordance with the legislation in force) as well as practical activities such as role plays and case studies in which these techniques were applied.

The project “Strengthening access to justice through legal empowerment of  refugees in Moldova”, funded by Sweden through the UNDP Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Peace and Sustainable Development, was implemented by CDA from 21 March to 25 April 2023.

Under the project, CDA developed a training course and organised seven training sessions for 36 police officers, judges and prosecutors from over 20 localities of the Republic of Moldova.

Participants in the trainings strengthened their knowledge in the field of refugee rights protection and learned more about coordinated and targeted response to refugees’ needs, combating prejudice and non-discrimination practices.

Soros-Moldova Foundation provided financial support for the implementation by CDA of the project “Emergency legal assistance for refugees from Ukraine”, implemented for six months, from 1 March to 31 August 2022.

Soros Foundation Moldova provided CDA, through an emergency mechanism, with a grant in the amount of 100, 000 USD, aimed at providing free primary, informational legal assistance to refugees at the Call Center of the Migration and Asylum Bureau.

In the framework of this project, CDA, with the support of SOROS Moldova Foundation, hired 5 operators, who worked at the Call Center of the Migration and Asylum Bureau – Green Line. Every day they received hundreds of calls and answered the most diverse questions, such as the procedure for crossing the border, obtaining a residence permit, financial aid, employment etc.

During this period, CDA operators, together with colleagues from the BMA, took more than 41 000 calls, of which more than 29 000 – from refugees from Ukraine.

In line with the given Project, CDA provided expertise and support to the team of the Migration and Asylum Office.

The project “Decentralized support for Ukrainian refugees”, funded by the international humanitarian organization Oxfam, was implemented by CDA in the period 01.04.2022 – 31.03.2023, targeting displaced persons from Ukraine living in host communities in 10 districts of the country, representatives of local public authorities and members of local communities.

Through the establishment of decentralized offices, mobile teams, CDA employees facilitated access of displaced persons from Ukraine to legal aid services. They organized events for social cohesion and integration of beneficiaries into local communities. CDA lawyers also trained social workers on national and international legislation on refugee rights, national asylum procedures, temporary protection; the legal situation of children coming from Ukraine to Moldova.

The CDA supported the implementation of local projects in the host community, such as the procurement of lifts adapted to the needs of people with disabilities for the Stefan-Vodă Culture House and the District Library of Causeni; the procurement of a laptop and shelves for the Causeni District Library; the donation of goods and supplies needed by youth centres, creative centres, district councils, schools and other institutions in local communities.

Within the framework of the Project were carried out:

– 72 information sessions;
– 35 social cohesion events;
– 14 trainings for social workers;
– the Campaign – Road Education Week “A pedestrian of grade 10” was carried out;
– an essay competition;
– 26885 individual counsellors were provided