Project Summary:

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen social cohesion, resilience and sustainable peace on both banks of Nistru river.

The project is set to bridge inter-generational gaps through joint activities and community events with cross-generational focus focused on harnessing the value added of the respective dialogues to social cohesion and community well-being. 

Furthermore, the project aims to empower youth to take an active role in local projects and social cohesion activities through capacity building and their active leadership in local projects/initiatives. 

Additionally, the project focuses on strengthening capacities of local public authorities and civil society groups in understanding and mitigating social tensions in communities and empowering their active role in enabling peaceful and cohesive cooperation, as well as enhance community engagement and boos local inclusiveness and participation through the design and implementation of capacity building and dialogue initiatives involving local stakeholders (CSOs, local public authorities, youth groups) and facilitate spaces for community members’ participation in decision-making processes. 

Moreover, the project aims to define and communicate social cohesion through the development of small-scale local development projects implemented with financial and technical resources from the programme to showcase the benefits of improved social cohesion for the community, inclusive of refugees and under-represented groups. 

Objectives:

• Empower target communities and their residents from both banks of the Nistru river to take an active role in addressing the needs of the people (older people, youth, women, under-represented groups and refugees), address local tensions and strengthen social cohesion;
• Contribute to increased dialogue between civil society organizations (CSOs), local stakeholders, private sector as well as local public authorities; 
• Empower communities to initiate local programs such as intergenerational support arrangements, intergenerational activities, discussion platforms for youth etc.; 
• Actively involve community members in decision-making processes and community life, fostering a deeper sense of connection and solidarity among them;
• Cultivate stronger social bonds and the establishment of robust mutual support networks within the community.

Expected results:

• Communities on both banks of the Nistru river benefit from improved social cohesion, resilience and sustainable peace;
• Beneficiary communities (13 localities) on both banks of the Nistru river contribute to   improved cross-community dialogue, trust and cooperation;   
• Local platforms and tools are established in target communities to foster dialogue, tolerance and cooperation;
• Evidence base around social tensions developed for 10 pilot communities;
• Social Tension Monitoring Mechanism (STMM) implemented in 10 communities and media monitoring of STMM developed;
• Capacity building events and summer schools on community engagement and social cohesion of youth, with dedicated activities involving older persons organized;
• Youth mobilized and engaged in the decision-making process around social tensions as members of the community security councils and the Core Reflection Group at the national level;
• 10 youth-led local initiatives for social de-tensioning and strengthen social cohesion, interregional cooperation and intercultural communication implemented in the communities where STMM is currently being undertaken;
• Youth, older people and refugees (1500) are empowered to actively participate in the community life, to access social services and contribute to social cohesion.