Labour minister says leadership wants Moldova with active, involved older people

Eleven non-profit organizations today received grants, in order to implement projects that support active ageing in Moldova. The programme aims to improve the quality of life of older people, by encouraging their participation in social, economic and community life.

The grant certificates were awarded by the Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru during a festive ceremony. This year, the programme’s budget is one million lei.

“I would like to congratulate the 11 winning organizations that will receive the grant certificates today and will implement important projects for older people in our communities. We are talking about Anenii Noi, Floresti, Leova, Cahul, Telenesti, Calarasi, Chisinau and Straseni – localities where older people will benefit from activities and support. We need to understand that Moldova, like many other European states, is going through a process of population’s ageing. Today, every fourth person of Moldova is over 60 years old. This reality obliges us not to view old age as a burden and not to consider that life ends with retirement. Life after retirement continues. There are opportunities to further capitalize on the experience gained over a lifetime, as well as the knowledge and contribution of the people who built this country and who can continue to offer their experience to society,” said Natalia Plugaru.

The official emphasized that, for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the concept of active ageing was one of the key priorities. Thus, actions are guided by the Governmental Programme on Active and Healthy Ageing for 2023–2027.

“We want each person of Moldova to be able to age with dignity, to remain active, involved and connected to community life, regardless of the locality in which they live. The national small grants programme is one of the ways in which we turn this vision into reality. This year, we are celebrating the anniversary edition of the programme, and the government has allocated one million lei to support community initiatives dedicated to older people, a budget that in fact has doubled over the last three years. We intend to continue identifying financial resources, in order to support as many projects in communities as possible,” noted Natalia Plugaru.

The selected projects focus on activities for developing digital skills, financial education, participation in the labour market, cultural and sports activities and intergenerational dialogue.

“I am particularly glad to see more and more projects that will be implemented, especially in rural areas. Part of the funds will also be used to arrange spaces where older people can meet and talk. In addition, more initiatives focus on cooperation with local public authorities and on involving older people in decision-making processes. I very much want a Moldova in which we see ageing as a natural process, characterized by more engagement and more joy and in which age is perceived not as a burden, but as a continuity of life. We hope these projects will help enhance the civic participation of older people, develop their skills in an increasingly digitalized world and, most importantly, strengthen the belief that every person, regardless of age, has a valuable role in the society,” said Natalia Plugaru.

The Programme of Small Grants in the Field of Active and Healthy Ageing is at its 10th edition and is organized annually by the Labour and Social Protection Ministry. This year, 50 non-profit organizations took part in the competition; they implement projects and initiatives that have an impact on promoting active ageing policies at national and regional levels.