People from vulnerable groups, including older people, people with disabilities and refugees from Ukraine, who are living in Copceac village, Găgăuzia region, will have access to quality social services. This is thanks to the EU-UNDP Moldova initiative “Mayors for Economic Growth” (M4EG), which supported the renovation, thermal insulation of walls and installation of a biomass boiler in a block of the Centre of multifunctional social services.

This Centre is one of the five projects financed through the European Union’s Response and Renewal Programme for M4EG members, with a budget of €387,000, to support localities hosting refugees from Ukraine. Copceac benefited from a grant of approximately €100,000. Thus, the social canteen, which has a capacity of about 100 people, the social laundry and the space where donated goods are collected and distributed, were renovated. The Centre will be provided with the necessary equipment and furniture, after which it will open its doors to beneficiaries, including for carrying out various activities for local residents.

During the visit of 5 December 2024 at the Centre of multifunctional social services,  Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, stated: “I firmly believe that an inclusive society naturally fosters greater cohesion. With the support of the EU, hundreds of social services have been launched across Moldova. I am delighted that we are now implementing our second assistance project in this area in the village of Copceac, Găgăuzia region. These localities, like Copceac, along with many others in Moldova, have the opportunity to thrive more rapidly and sustainably when social inclusion and cohesion serve as the foundation for community development."

Seher Ariner, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova, noted that the Centre represents a transformational perspective for the village of Copceac and beyond: "This project reflects the collective commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, including refugees from Ukraine. At the same time, new jobs will be created at this Centre for the provision of social services. By integrating essential services under one roof, we are not only responding to people’s immediate needs, but also laying the foundations for sustainable local development and recovery from crisis situations.”

In addition to the infrastructure modernization, local authorities in Copceac benefited from training to strengthen their capacities in the field of social services and develop their skills in efficient and sustainable economic planning.

Also on 5 December, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova and the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova visited another social Centre in Copceac, hosting older people without care. In 2019, with support of the European Union, UNDP and local public authorities, the facility was renovated and the rooms for beneficiaries, the rest room and the canteen were equipped.
In addition to Copceac, four other localities received grants through the European Union’s Response and Renewal Programme for M4EG members: Volintiri, Cărpineni, Drochia and Cimișlia.

In the locality of Volintiri, the Business centre building was renovated: the roof was repaired, the exterior walls were insulated and the heating system was installed. At the moment, three small businesses operate there: a tailoring workshop, a beauty salon and a physiotherapy office. The space is available for small entrepreneurs from the Ștefan Vodă district, including refugees from Ukraine.

An Integration Centre was created in Cărpineni, which ensures the professional reprofiling of refugees and their socio-economic inclusion. At the same time, activities for preschoolers are organized in the Centre, so that parents can get involved in the workforce.

And in Drochia, about 200 children are receiving quality education in a more comfortable and creative environment, after the kindergarten no. 5 "Little Red Riding Hood" that they attend was completely renovated: the walls were insulated, the roof was replaced and the facade was painted with a mural.

Also with the support of the European Union's Response and Renewal Programme for M4EG members, two new minibuses were purchased in the city of Cimișlia and a bus station was built. Thus, all residents, including refugees and people with low incomes, have access to public transport, which ensures their mobility and facilitates their access to the workplace and essential services, such as healthcare.
The "Mayors for Economic Growth" initiative, phase two (2021-2024), aims to promote inclusive economic growth and job creation by supporting local authorities in the Eastern Partnership countries.

Download the press-release in Russian.