Moldova's Labor and Social protection Ministry, development partners sign agreement

Over 20 buildings where social services are provided will undergo energy efficiency improvements. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (MMPS), in partnership with the Soros Foundation Moldova, Keystone Moldova and the NGO Social Innovation Fund of Moldova, has signed a Collaboration Agreement to implement the Local Partnerships for Energy Efficiency in Social Services Project.

The initiative is funded by the European Union, aiming to improve social service infrastructure through investments in the energy efficiency of the buildings where these services are provided. This contributes to reducing resource consumption, optimizing maintenance costs and creating safe and sustainable conditions for beneficiaries and service providers.

‘’Modernizing social services does not means only enhancing the quality of social interventions, but also caring for how we use public resources. Through this partnership, we transform social centers into energy-efficient spaces, safe and adapted to people's needs. This is an example of understanding that solidarity and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with social policies,’’ Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu emphasized.

In all, 21 buildings where social services are provided will undergo energy efficiency improvements, 19 of which are institutions under the Territorial Social Assistance Agencies, and two belong to administrative authorities under the ministry's jurisdiction. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will act as a co-financier and beneficiary, contributing 10 per cent of the total cost of the works – about 2.52 million lei.

Besides infrastructure investments, the project also includes a component for supporting local initiatives. Thus, on April 3, 35 organizations received grant certificates worth approximately 87,000 euros for actions promoting responsible energy consumption and innovative energy efficiency solutions in buildings with social purposes.

‘’The collaboration between local civil society organizations, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and other institutional partners is essential for building an open, fair and inclusive society. Local organizations act to meet the real needs of communities, while authorities formulate efficient public policies. This initiative, supported by the European Union, underlines the importance of local partnerships – between civil society, public authorities and donors – in transitioning to a sustainable development model based on solidarity, efficiency and responsibility for resources. By strengthening civil society's capacity to act locally, we create the premises for systemic transformations with significant impact nationally,’’ said Daniela Vidaicu, Executive Director of the Soros Foundation Moldova.

The project will be implemented in the upcoming period by the Soros Foundation Moldova, in partnership with Keystone Moldova and the NGO Social Innovation Fund of Moldova, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.