Phoenix Centre: Addressing social exclusion in Moldova through philanthropy and diaspora engagement

Diaspora members like Victoria unite people across borders for social change in our communities. IOM Moldova, with the support of IOM's Migration and Sustainable Development Unit, has told Victoria's story in our new Storyteller on the Phoenix Centre: Addressing social exclusion in Moldova through philanthropy and diaspora engagement to showcase how migrants and diaspora members are triggering transformative, transnational change. Victoria believes that it is up to every citizen and especially civil society organizations to eliminate barriers that may hinder persons with disabilities, which will contribute to greater levels of social inclusion and cohesion and reduce inequalities in Moldova, as foreseen by Goal 10 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That's why she and others established an organization called “MAD-Aid” (whose acronym comes from “Make A Difference”) with the aim to contribute to a world where children and adults with special needs have access to the same opportunities as others to fulfil their life’s ambitions, a world where all can live safely with dignity, respect, and quality care. This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the contributions migrants all over the world are making to advance inclusive communities that leave no one behind. Victoria is proof that despite no longer living in their native countries, diaspora members can be actively involved and support the development of their countries and communities to catalyse positive change. --- The IOM Mission to Moldova is working to enhance the capacity of the Moldovan migrant communities abroad to actively support local development in Moldova. An important part of IOM Moldova's Migration and Development Department’s work supports the capacity of the Moldovan Government to engage diaspora members like Victoria, leverage the development impact of diaspora resources, and work towards further inclusion of the Moldovan diaspora in the country’s development. One significant ongoing initiative in Moldova is the Global Programme on Making Migration Work for Sustainable Development (implemented in 11 countries in partnership between IOM and UNDP and funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation). They work in partnership with Moldovan diaspora and migrant organizations like MAD-Aid, national and local authorities, civil society and the private sector to ensure migration’s positive contributions to sustainable development. To learn more about MAD-Aid, visit their website. For more information on IOM Moldova’s work, please see https://moldova.iom.int/ or email vvarzari@iom.int. To find out more about the Global Programme and IOM’s global work on Migration and Sustainable Development, access our website here or email migration4development@iom.int.