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Partners

CDA has established partnerships at national and international level, which present the evidence of the recognition of the effectiveness and prestige of the association.

Law Center of Advocates (CDA) has been cooperating with UNHCR Moldova since 1998, acting as the only legal partner of the UN Refugee Agency in the Republic of Moldova. For more than 25 years the UN Refugee Agency has been the main donor for CDA projects in the fields of asylum, migration, statelessness and integration of foreigners.

CDA is a full member of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), an associate member of the European Network on Statelessness (ENS), a member of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, and has the observer status, at the Limited Working Group on Migration of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ-MIG).

CDA has carried out projects in cooperation with/funded by such international or humanitarian organizations as UNHCR-Moldova, UNDP Moldova, Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, International Organization of the Francophonie, Soros Foundation Moldova, Oxfam International, Farmacéuticos Mundi, HEKS/ EPER, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), NACHBAR IN NOT (NiN) Foundation, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, and the US Embassy in Moldova.

At the national level, CDA’s partners are institutions and organisations working in the field of human rights and the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons, stateless persons, foreigners, undocumented migrants, or with duties and responsibilities in this field.

CDA’s core partners in the country are the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM), the General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP), the People Advocate (Ombudsman) Office, the National Institute of Justice, the National Legal Aid Council (NLAC).

CDA cooperates with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in organising trainings for target groups of professionals in the field of human rights, refugee rights, asylum, statelessness, integration of foreigners, such as lawyers, judges, prosecutors, employees of public institutions and civil servants.

CDA collaborates with several international and Moldovan NGOs, including AVE Copiii, ACTED, Caritas Moldova, Keystone Moldova, HelpAge Moldova, INTERSOS, Charity Center for Refugees (CCR), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the Romanian National Council for Refugees (CNRR), and the Tenth of April (DK).

International Partners

UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
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United Nations Development Programme
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United States Agency for International Development
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Oxfam International
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Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
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European Council on Refugees and Exiles
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U.S. Embassy In Moldova
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Soros Foundation-Moldova
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Council of Europe Office in Chisinau
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Farmacéuticos Mundi (Farmamundi)
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Global Alliance to End Statelessness
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European Network on Statelessness
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Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
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National Partners

CDA collaborates with
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
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General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM)
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National Legal Aid Council (NLAC)
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General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP)
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People’s Advocate Office (PAO)
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UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)

CDA International Partner

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has been present in the Republic of Moldova since February 1997, and since 1998 has been cooperating with the CDA, which is the only legal partner of the UNHCR in the Republic of Moldova.

The partnership agreement signed between CDA and UNHCR provides for cooperation on legal assistance during the procedure for determining refugee status, the procedure for determining stateless status, the integration process; monitoring in the field of protection, border crossing points and detention facilities; support for lawyers, judges, policy makers and other professionals.

For over 20 years, the UN Refugee Agency has also been the main donor of CDA projects in the fields of asylum, migration, statelessness, and the integration of foreigners.

In 2017, with the financial support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), CDA participated in the development of the Quality Standards and Tools for External Monitoring of the Quality of State Guaranteed Legal Aid by Lawyers in Asylum Cases, the Guidelines for Lawyers Providing State Guaranteed Legal Aid in Asylum Cases, and the Curriculum for Continuing Legal Education of Lawyers Providing State Guaranteed Legal Aid in Asylum Cases.

UNHCR also financially supports the activities of the CDA and during the refugee crisis in 2022, such as monitoring the observance of refugee rights at border crossings, providing advice and legal assistance in refugee accommodation centers, providing primary legal assistance and information to telephone counseling hot lines, through online communication platforms and through the distribution of printed information materials

On 18 January 2023, the UN Refugee Agency Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Francesca Bonelli, and the Executive Director of CDA, Oleg Palii, signed the 25th cooperation agreement between UNHCR Moldova and CDA.

UNHCR-Moldova and the Law Centre of Advocates will develop cooperation in providing legal support and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, foreign nationals, displaced and undocumented persons.

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United Nations Development Programme

CDA International Partner

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.

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United States Agency for International Development

CDA International Partner

USAID partners with the Government of Moldova (GOM) and its people in moving the country along its journey to self-reliance. USAID’s goal is to help build a competitive and democratic European Republic of Moldova that resists malign influences while being powered by an engaged citizenry and catalytic partnerships with the private sector.

In support of promoting Moldova’s participatory democracy, USAID focuses on direct assistance to public institutions in order to catalyze citizen engagement in their communities and to drive demand for accountable governance and stronger democratic institutions.

In bolstering the country’s economic growth, USAID provides direct sector support to elevating the role of the private sector and leveraging creative partnerships in transformative sectors.

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Oxfam International

CDA International Partner

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.

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Organisation internationale de la Francophonie

CDA International Partner

CDA implements a new training project on the protection rights and legal support of migrants, refugees, and stateless persons.

The project is funded by the International Organization of the Francophonie, will be carried out by the end of March 2023, and will be for training of the representatives of four categories of asylum professionals.

At least 190 lawyers and representatives of guardianship authorities/child protection social services; non-legal NGOs; representatives of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum will benefit of 12 training sessions on the rights, protection and legal support of migrants, refugees, and stateless persons.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacities of human rights and asylum professionals to enhance legal assistance, protection and support to foreigners, asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless persons in the Republic of Moldova.

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European Council on Refugees and Exiles

CDA International Partner

CDA became a member of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) în November 2022.

The European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) is a pan-European alliance of 106 NGO-s in 39 countries protecting and advancing the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons.

Working together with its members and partners to inform and persuade European authorities and the public, ECRE monitors and denounces human rights violations while proposing and promoting fair and effective durable solutions.

The mission of ECRE is to promote the establishment of fair and humane European asylum policies and practices in accordance with international human rights law.

ECRE strives for a Europe that protects refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons with dignity and respect

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U.S. Embassy In Moldova

CDA International Partner

The project “Legal Assistance for Stateless Persons in the Republic of Moldova” was implemented by CDA in partnership with the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Moldova under a grant agreement from 01.10.22 to 30.09.23. 

CDA directly assisted 59 persons in documentation and citizenship proceedings and referred 2 individual cases to the court.  

In addition to direct assistance to the beneficiaries, CDA has advocated for legislative changes to provide for the guaranteed right to Moldovan citizenship for every child born in our country.  This concerns the amendment of the Law on the Citizenship of the Republic of Moldova No. 1024/2000 and other normative acts related to the simplification of the procedure for acquiring the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova. The efforts of the CDA have been successful. These amendments have been implemented and will enter into force on 1 November 2023. 

The CDA organized three round tables on statelessness and documentation issues with the participation of more than 70 people, representatives of the authorities responsible for documentation and naturalization of stateless persons, lawyers, social workers.  

Through its network of advisers in the country,  CDA informed local authorities about the CDA’s free legal assistance in statelessness cases.  The Association has also signed cooperation agreements with some district social assistance directorates and town halls in the Republic of Moldova, in order to increase the efficiency of assistance to stateless persons.  

As a result, with the involvement of local public authorities, 26 undocumented persons have turned to the CDA for assistance, 15 of whom were documented with Moldovan identity cards. 

The project period coincided with the war in Ukraine, and the need for close collaboration with Ukrainian colleagues arose. The CDA cooperated with the Ukrainian NGO ’10 Kvitnea’ to help undocumented people who needed legal

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Soros Foundation-Moldova

CDA International Partner

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.

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Council of Europe Office in Chisinau

CDA International Partner

Moldova became a member of the Council of Europe on 13 July 1995. The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova ratified the European Convention on Human Rights on 24 July 1997. The Information Office of the Council of Europe was set up in Chisinau on 30 June 1997, at the request of the government of the Republic of Moldova. On 20 October 2002 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe agreed to the proposal of the Secretary General to appoint a Special Representative of the Secretary General in Chisinau. The exchange of letters between Secretary General and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova on 30 October and 4 November 2002 has resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding on the status of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

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Farmacéuticos Mundi (Farmamundi)

CDA International Partner

CDA cooperated with Farmacéuticos Mundi in the project “Advice and legal assistance for migrants from Ukraine”, financially supported through its donors.

The memorandum signed in this regard between CDA and Farmacéuticos Mundi provided legal counseling and assistance for refugees from Ukraine in refugee centers or housed in families on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

With the support of Farmaceuticos Mundi, CDA hired 6 legal to provide legal assistance and counseling in 4 accommodation centers for refugees in Chisinau, Cojusna and Slobozia Dusca.

According to the project, CDA supported important local initiatives, contributed to the organization of various events with the participation of members of the host community and refugees, thus promoting the socio-economic empowerment and their integration.

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Global alliance to end statelessness

CDA International Partner

The Global Alliance to End Statelessness
The Global Alliance to End Statelessness is a collaborative multistakeholder platform led by UNHCR. Its vision is to create “a world free from statelessness where everyone enjoys the right to a nationality without discrimination.” The initiative is part of the UN Secretary General’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Global Alliance is set to launch on 14 October 2024 at the High-Level Segment on Statelessness in Geneva, which will both mark the completion of the IBelong Campaign.
While building upon the successes, momentum, and lessons learned from the IBelong Campaign, the Global Alliance operates with a distinct approach. Its modus operandi centres around fostering greater collaboration and expedited action among relevant actors, including States, stateless individuals, UN agencies, and civil society. The goal is to accelerate the implementation of solutions to statelessness
The Alliance currently includes over 50 members.
CDA joined the Global Alliance to End Statelessness in June 2024.

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European Network on Statelessness

CDA International Partner

CDA is an associate member of the European Statelessness Network. CDA collaborated with it to research and compile comparative information on statelessness in Moldova and contributed to the development of the Statelessness Index in Moldova (Moldova | Statelessness Index ENS_Country_briefing-Moldova-Russian.pdf (statelessness.eu)).

The Statelessness Index is a comparative online tool that assesses European countries’ legislation, policies, and practices on the protection of stateless persons, the prevention and reduction of statelessness in comparison with international rules and good practice.

The Law Center of Advocates (CDA), the European Network on Statelessness (ENS) and the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (ISI) made în 2021 a joint submission to the 3 rd Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), on the right to a nationality and human rights challenges pertaining to statelessness in Moldova.

The European Network on Statelessness (ENS) is a civil society alliance of over 170 organizations and individual experts from 41 countries working to end statelessness and ensure that stateless people in Europe can access their rights.

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Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

CDA International Partner

In 2022- 2023 alone, CDA carried out several projects in cooperation with or funded by such international or humanitarian organizations as UNHCR-Moldova, UNDP Moldova, Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, International Organization of the Francophonie, Soros Foundation Moldova, Oxfam International, Farmacéuticos Mundi, HEKS/ EPER, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), Austrian Development Agency (ADA), NACHBAR IN NOT (NiN) Foundation, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, US Embassy in Moldova.

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National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

CDA National Partner

Created in 2007, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) carries out the initial training of candidates for the positions of judge and prosecutor, the continuous training of incumbent judges and prosecutors, clerks, legal assistants, heads of secretariats of courts, prosecutors’ consultants, probation counselors, lawyers providing state-guaranteed legal aid, as well as the initial and continuing training of other persons working in the justice sector, in the cases provided for by law.

Being the only organization in the Republic of Moldova that has expertise and experience in the field of asylum, CDA cooperates with NIJ in organizing trainings for target groups of human rights professionals, especially lawyers, judges, prosecutors, police officers, social workers and other professionals, whose work is related to interaction and work with foreigners, stateless and undocumented persons in Moldova.

In 2021, CDA in collaboration with NIJ, BMA, NLAC organized 17 training activities with the participation of 275 people, including employees of the Border Police, and BMA, judges, lawyers, social workers

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General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM)

CDA National Partner

General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM) is one of the main national partners of CDA. CDA cooperates with GIM based on three collaboration agreements: Memorandum of Understanding between CDA, BMA and NLAC and Memorandum of Understanding between CDA, GIBP, UNHCR and BMA, Memorandum of Understanding between CDA and GIM from 6 March 2023.

Cooperation with the BMA has become more intense since February 24, 2022. CDA lawyers monitor the observance of human rights at border crossings points, help Border Police and the Bureau of Migration and Asylum identify asylum seekers who apply at the border crossing points, receiving asylum applications, providing legal assistance, advising asylum seekers at the border.

The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed on 6 March 2023 reflects the joint commitment of the CDA and the GIM to implement the temporary protection mechanism in the Republic of Moldova and to successfully carry out integration activities for foreigners.

The document aims to establish a support mechanism by attracting additional staff to the regional integration centres for foreigners and the foreigners’ registration offices of the GIM.

At the same time, the parties will ensure the process of informing, advising and facilitating access to protection measures in terms of respect for the rights of foreigners, in particular beneficiaries of temporary protection. Joint actions will also aim to ensure the achievement of legal status and promote an inclusive society.

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National Legal Aid Council (NLAC)

CDA National Partner

In 2013, CDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the BMA and National Legal Aid Council (NLAC), by which the parties agreed on the organization of legal assistance to foreign nationals and stateless persons in order to be taken into public custody and placed in the Temporary Placement Centre for Foreigners (TPCF) of the BMA.

In accordance with the commitments from this Memorandum, CDA provides initial legal advice to all persons placed in the TPCF on their rights and obligations, and if necessary – the necessary primary or qualified legal assistance. CDA informs NLAC about the persons placed in TPCF who have requested legal assistance. Correspondingly, the NLAC takes over from the CDA the requests of the persons placed in the TPCF in case it will be necessary to provide qualified legal assistance guaranteed by the state.

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General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP)

CDA National Partner

The Border Police is the public administration body within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which exercises its powers and implements the state policy in the field of state border management, prevention and combating cross-border crime.

CDA has been cooperating with General Inspectorate of Border Police (GIBP) since 2009, when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between CDA, GIBP, UNCHR and BMA. Cooperation relations intensified during the refugee crisis in Ukraine, triggered by the invasion of the Russian Federation in the neighboring country. GIBP and CDA collaborate in monitoring the observance of the rights of foreigners at the border crossing points, carrying out some exchanges of information on this subject. The CDA also provides trainings for Border Police employees.

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People’s Advocate Office (PAO)

CDA National Partner

Public Association „Law Center of Advocates” (CDA) has been cooperating for many years with the People’s Advocate Office (PAO) in matters on respecting the rights of asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international protection, undocumented, stateless persons, foreigners. In September 2021, CDA and PAO signed a collaboration agreement.

In cooperation with the PAO were elaborated the Thematic Study “Observance of the rights of foreign citizens in state custody”; Thematic Report “Three years of joint border monitoring. Office of the People’s Advocate – Law Center of Advocates”.

CDA is a member of the Advisory Council for the prevention of violations of the rights of refugees from Ukraine, created within the People’s Advocate’s Office on March 11, 2022. In this capacity, CDA contributed to the elaboration by the People’s Advocate of the Report No. 1 on the monitoring the observance of the rights of foreigners from Ukraine in the context of the state of emergency for the period from February 25 to April 30, 2022.

Representatives of the PAO are involved in the projects carried out by the CDA on monitoring the observance of the rights of foreigners in the accommodation centers for refugees from Ukraine.

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