United Nations in Moldova

The UN in Moldova remains a key partner in supporting Moldova’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) nationalization and implementation process. The Government has committed to achieving the SDGs, and with the support of the UN, the Moldovan State Chancellery conducted extended external consultations regarding the 2030 Agenda and its application to the local context. The SDGs nationalization report “Adapting the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development to the context of the Republic of Moldova” was presented to the Coordination Council for Sustainable Development and endorsed by its members on 4 July 2017.

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Publication

01 August 2022

National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods

National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods: the Republic of Moldova reflects FAO’s commitment to promoting gender equality, while integrating a gender perspective into its operations. The report focuses on the intersections of gender, agriculture and rural development, and presents a snapshot of critical gender-based inequalities and their consequences for agricultural production and rural livelihoods in the Republic of Moldova. A picture of significant gender gaps in terms of the rural population’s access to educational and employment opportunities and social services is presented. In the area of agricultural production, women have much more limited access to and control over vital resources, including land, extension and advisory services and irrigation. The assessment includes recommendations on enhancing agriculture and developing rural communities with a gender-sensitive perspective, taking into consideration gender roles and differences between women and men in access to productive resources, inputs and information.

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Story

01 August 2022

Two new friends – one from Ukraine, the other from Moldova – are united by music

Eight-year-old Zlata pushes aside a black toy gun and a curly red wig. She’s searching for the perfect prop for the photo booth and settles on sunglasses with red hearts. She’s performing on stage in an hour, but for now she’s focused on playing dress-up in the park with her friend Sofia. Dipping her sunglasses and striking a pose, Zlata is a refugee from Ukraine. Along with her mother Julia and two sisters, Zlata was forced to flee Odessa as the city was struck by heavy shelling and air strikes. “My daughters woke up to the sounds of bombs erupting in the sky and our house vibrating,” says Julia. Zlata’s father and grandparents remain in Odessa, along with their chickens. Now safe in Moldova, Zlata has joined a UNICEF-supported choir and quickly made friends with nine-year-old Sofia. Today is a big performance as the girls will be singing to mark the International Day for Protection of Children. The concert, entitled Muzica Desenelor Animate (‘Animated Movie Soundtracks’), includes a set list of hits from the Lion King, Frozen, Star Wars, Ghostbusters and classics from Ukraine and Russia. Adriano Marian, conductor and founder of the Moldovan National Youth Orchestra, wears a sharp black suit and bright white sneakers. Music has been at the centre of his life since age 6 when he first picked up the trumpet. Adriano doesn’t need to hold a conductor’s baton – his energy and passion for music seeps through his hands and the performers have learned to follow his sweeping gestures. Music can have an incredible impact on children’s education and it unites people, says Adriano, struggling to keep his hands still before the concert begins. “Music is an essential way to bring communities together,” he says. “That’s what we believe at the Youth Orchestra. Wherever there is music, it creates connections between people and brings happiness.” Zlata and Sofia are restless with excitement as they are called onto the stage. Water bottles are passed around as the clouds only briefly shield the children from the sun; it’s 26 degrees at 5 p.m. and the atmosphere is heating up. Parents lift their small children onto their shoulders so they can get a better view as the park quickly swells to a crowd. Parents lounge on bright red beanbags while children hurl themselves onto them. Three siblings dart around the park, pausing briefly as their white balloon breaks free from its stick and is rescued by a stranger. Adriano raises his hands, pauses, then opens the show. He guides the strings, brass, and percussion sections through the playlist of Disney hits. An opera singer accompanied by a young performer wows the audience while Zlata and Sofia stand side by side in the chorus, two friends brought together by their joy of music. “I love music because it’s beautiful,” says Zlata. “It helps me forget all that is sad and gives me a lot of emotions. Moldova is a lovely country and I have many friends. I like it here because everyone respects and helps me.” A man in a crisp white shirt waits patiently behind the tower of speakers, his hands clutching sheet music. Veaceslav Redea is the principal conductor of the Symphony Orchestra from Zaporizhzhia, and this evening he is a guest conductor. “I arrived in Chisinau following the tragic events in Ukraine, which are being watched by the whole world,” says Veaceslav. “My friend Adriano invited me to participate in this concert. Today is a beautiful holiday recognizing the International Day of Child Protection.” All children must be protected, but tragically, children and families from Ukraine have now faced 100 days of horror. Children just like Zlata have been attacked, have lost loved ones and have been forced to flee. UNICEF is supporting refugee children and ensuring they have the right to an education, health and a social life – because children should be surrounded by the sounds of melodious music, not missiles. “I think the greatest joy for parents is to see their children happy, to see their smiles,” says Veaceslav. “It’s so important for children to experience the art of music. Many may not become professionals, but it will help them in life and communication. They will be free.” The concert winds to a close and applause erupts in the park. Zlata and Sofia run off the stage and are swooped up by their proud mothers. “I’m very happy,” says Zlata’s mother. “I will do everything I can to make my daughters happy and ensure they are safe.” Fittingly, Pharrell Williams’ feel-good song ‘Happy’ blares from the speakers and travels over the park. Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative for the Republic of Moldova, is at the concert with her young daughter, whose face is painted as a butterfly. “This is the day when we put everything aside and we celebrate children. We’re here with children from Moldova, children from Ukraine and from around the world,” says Maha. “Ukrainian children have been surrounded by the sounds of shelling, the sounds of silence, of tension and of stress. We’re replacing those sounds with sounds that make them happy.” As the evening winds to a close and tired children are rushed home to bed, Zlata still longs for her life in Ukraine. “I miss my home, my friends, my school and my beloved teacher,” she says, trying to hold back tears as her friend leans over to give her a hug. Music unites us.

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Story

16 July 2022

Building resilience, hope and strength at UNFPA-supported youth centres

Sabina lost friends in the war. Today she lives with her family in Gratiesti village, close to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, and volunteers and teaches art therapy at one of the 44 youth centres across the country that UNFPA supports. The youth centre in Gratiesti has opened its doors to dozens of new youth volunteers in the past few months, many of them from Ukraine. “When I moved to Gratiesti, I didn’t know anyone,” recalls Sabina. “I was invited to volunteer at the school my younger brother is now attending, where I organized an art session. The class liked it so much that the teacher suggested I visit a youth centre and volunteer on a regular basis.” Gratiesti youth centre is where Sabina met Moldovan, Elena, 15, and they are now good friends. “We bonded immediately, she is my pillar of strength,” says Sabina. “We like doing the same things. We both like art and being in nature.” On Saturdays, Sabina and Elena gather a group of Moldovan and Ukrainian youth at the centre. “Our peers need new friends and positive vibes,” says Elena, speaking of the many young people who have suddenly found their lives, hopes and dreams upended by the war. At the centre they talk, draw and express themselves through art. “I am not the only one who lost friends or family in the war. Many of the young refugees here are struggling with stress and depression,” explains Sabina. “Art therapy helps us all to cope with our pain, the injustice of losing friends and normal life.” The youth centre in Gratiesti, which has been open for more than 20 years, is part of a network of youth centers across the country visited by 30,000 young people each year. Since the influx of refugees into Moldova, the centres have expanded their activities, initiating new clubs to help young refugees from Ukraine integrate into local communities, and promote solidarity, and importantly hope. Around 20 young people visit the centre in Gratiesti daily, and around half, like Masha, 17, who fled Avgustovka in the Odessa region, are from Ukraine. Before the war started Masha was looking forward to celebrating her high school graduation with her friends. Today, that normality seems like a faraway dream, but she is continuing her education at the youth centre, which now has a computer lab to support distance learning for those refugees in need. “I want to study Criminal Science at a Ukranian university,” she says with determination. “And I am hopeful that it will be in the fall.”

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01 August 2022

The cash assistance provided to refugee families from Ukraine brings safety closer to every child

Victoria is 32 years old, and she raises her five children on her own. After two months of war and seven days spent in the basement of a house in Odessa, Ukraine, the young mother left in search of safety. Her biggest fear is to lose her family due to rocket strikes and to see panic engraved on the faces of her children. ”When a missile hit a block of flats close to our house, I took my children and fled to Chisinau,” says Victoria, in a small room of the Municipal Refugee Placement Center of Moldova, where she sought refuge for an undetermined period. ”At the center, we are a true family. We got everything we need.” Victoria is one of the more than 61,000 refugees from Ukraine who receive monthly financial support from UNHCR, UNICEF, and other partners. ”You must know that I received money on my card, and I used them to buy medicines, fruit, and food for my children. They were so happy, and I was also happy to afford that,” says Victoria. At the same time, the three-year-old Miriam asks insistently for the phone to play; the nine-year-old Timur says he wants to go in the park for a walk and the seven-year-old Amina listens attentively to her mother’s indications and tries to be helpful. Omar is 10 years old and he sits quietly, a bit sad. Victoria is getting worried. ”The strikes and the sirens affected them a lot. Omar, the eldest son became very anxious. Miriam is also very agitated. They are all very stressed. The youngest child has special needs. Moreover, shortly before the war he had a heart surgery. He needs rehabilitation,” says the woman. The family left Ukraine on 20 April. To be eligible for the monthly cash assistance amounting to MDL 2,200, Victoria got registered at the Moldexpo cash assistance center. ”In Ukraine, I used to receive child benefits only. Their father helps me with money only when he has resources. Hence, I don’t have many subsistence means. I bought food and other things the children wanted with the first money I received. It is very hard to come to a foreign country with five children and no income source, particularly given that the food is getting more expensive,” says the mother of those five children. Victoria dreams to go back home and enjoy peace together with her children. ”I want to go home, I want stability, I want missiles never fly over the sky and children to go back to schools and kindergartens in Odessa. If rocket strikes continue, I will try to enroll my children in an educational institution in Moldova, but I hope we’ll return home." By the end of this year, 45,000,000 dollars will be distributed to refugees as cash assistance, and 6,000,000 dollars is the contribution of UNICEF. To receive cash assistance, refugee families are advised to register at the closest registration centre. More exactly, eight such centers were opened in the Republic of Moldova.Two of them are located in Chisinau and other centres are located in Donduseni, Causeni, Cahul, Ungheni, Orhei and Balti. There are also four mobile teams that inform and register refugees from vulnerable groups. Since the war in Ukraine began, over 500,000 refugees came to the Republic of Moldova, and half of them are children.

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21 July 2022

Free vaccinations for Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Moldova

“I’m very happy that I‘m still able to get my child vaccinated according to the immunization schedule recommended by doctors,” says Inna Iachimenco, a Ukrainian mother who fled to the Republic of Moldova along with her 2 sons in early March, after the first gunshots and explosions were heard near their home in the Sumy region. So far, more than 1000 doses of routine vaccines, including those against measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), poliomyelitis, and diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, have been administered to refugee children. In addition, 1150 adult refugees have been vaccinated against COVID-19 while in or transiting through the country. Aware of the benefits of immunization, Inna was keen to get her youngest son, Maxim, vaccinated against MMR as soon as he reached his first birthday – the age at which children are eligible for the joint vaccine. Although now far from his home in Ukraine, Maxim was still able to get this important first shot as scheduled. “All unvaccinated children are a health hazard for other children with a weak immune system. I recommend other mothers to follow my example and suggest they read about vaccination only from official sources, not from social media groups,” says Inna. Inna’s older son has also received all his recommended shots. “He is already a teenager. Vaccines have protected him from infectious diseases. He had no side effects,” she continues. “I care about my children, so I choose what is best for them. I feel safer knowing that they are protected from diseases.” Raisa Ursu, a nurse from the Calarasi Health Centre who has been vaccinating refugees, explains, “Vaccinating children and adults against infectious diseases is the simplest and most cost-effective prevention option available. Vaccines are a shield against these dangerous diseases, which can cause severe illness or death.” Raisa adds, “Thanks to immunizations, many diseases that were once common are now at their lowest levels in history.” Equitable access to vaccination for all “We are putting all our efforts into delivering aid to those most in need, particularly the vulnerable, including older people, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and children. Closing gaps in coverage with routine and COVID-19 vaccines is a priority now to protect both local and refugee communities, ensuring no one is left behind,” says Dr Miljana Grbic, WHO Representative in the Republic of Moldova. To date, well over 500 000 refugees have entered the Republic of Moldova since the beginning of the war. Of these, approximately 80 000 (half of whom are children) are residing in the country. All refugees have free access to the same vaccination services that are available to all residents in the country. With WHO support, the national health authorities have been implementing prompt public health actions to prevent the occurrence and spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. From the first days of the war, WHO has supported the development of immunization guidelines, conducted critical risk assessments and held a series of workshops to strengthen efforts to close immunization gaps. WHO has also placed an emphasis on ensuring refugees at border crossings, refugee centres and health-care facilities have access to essential information on immunization services and the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases. European Union–WHO project to support the Eastern Partnership countries Funding from a joint project of the European Union and WHO/Europe to support the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in the Eastern Partnership countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine – has been repurposed to address the immediate health needs of the conflict-affected population of Ukraine.

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04 August 2022

The women who tame the bees: The buzz on developing a business in a traditionally male area

Gradually managing to ‘tame’ the bees and overcome stereotypes, today roughly 8 per cent of the 7,696 apiaries listed in the National Food Safety Agency’s National Register of Beekeepers are kept by women. The apiaries belonging to Liza Mămăligă, from the village of Todirești in Ungheni, and to Cristina Bacaliuc, from Andrușul de Jos village in Cahul, are among that 8 per cent. Both beekeepers are energetic, curious and fascinated by bees and their work. Croutons rolled in honey At 33 years of age, Mămăligă is a young mother and businesswoman who has worked hard to build herself a wonderful future in her hometown. In fact, she never stops – something she seems to have learned from the bees she keeps. She wakes at the break of dawn, makes a cup of tea from flowers she picks in the garden and plans her day. Order and involvement in your work are the key to the success of any business, the young woman believes. After completing her studies, Mămăligă started to look for job offers. She could not imagine sitting for hours in a row in a bank, working behind a desk. She wanted to try to create something new – but what exactly? A scholarship in Germany caught her attention. Young people from all over the world had the possibility to learn from renowned experts how to start their own businesses. Bees were the first thing she thought about. She had lived her whole life among bees and hives. Her best childhood memories are related to them, when the neighbours’ children would visit and her father would give them a plate of honeycomb. She recalled how tasty the croutons rolled in fresh acacia honey were, or how she and the children used to hide behind the colourful beehives in the apiary by the forest. This is how the small family business started. “It was in 2012. At that time, you could see only older men at the beekeepers’ meetings or fairs. No one would take you seriously [as a girl]. I was young and I was a beekeeper. They were thinking that I had bought the honey and that I was trying to sell it, but their lack of trust motivated me even more to continue learning and I want to bring beekeeping to an even higher level and to have more young people involved in this kind of work,” admits Mămăligă, with and a cheeky grin. ‘Beekeeping is a challenge’ She managed to reach her goal over the years. Now, she has around 80 beehives and produces natural nutritional bars made with hazelnut, plums and other vitamin-rich fruit, which are popular and appreciated in the European Union market. She also produces her own propolis tincture, beeswax candles and tea sets made of plants she grows in her own garden. “I love trying new things. I want to test my ideas,” laughs Mămăligă while putting on her suit and picking the bee smoker, which she uses to calm the bees down. It’s time she paid them a visit to make sure they are well and not in need of anything. “I like to spend time in nature. When I work with the bees, I can feel all seasons, all flowers, meadows; I feel connected to nature. Beekeeping feels like a challenge – many issues to resolve, decisions to make, and sometimes this has to be done in the blink of an eye. There’s no time to get bored, and every year feels different,” says Mămăligă. She aims to promote local products, which are natural and have as little processing as possible. “I want us to develop new product ideas, to bring money into the local economy, to create jobs, and to do the work we like. Bees, as we know, are very important for biodiversity, for pollination, for organic farming. We want everything we do to have a positive impact. We don’t want to make any compromises that would harm the environment,” adds Mămăligă as the sunrays breach the heavy clouds and start warming the hives scattered by the edge of the woodlands. ‘I always keep an eye on the weather forecast’ It is a single-storey house. One can hear the soft humming of the device that transforms honey into an aired homogenous cream, enriched with cinnamon and ginger. Cristina Bacaliuc bends over the huge stainless-steel bowl, watching every rotation. This is her new laboratory, where she creates special products out of the honey she harvests in her apiary. In Andrușul de Jos village, Bacaliuc tells a similar story of her path to becoming a beekeeper. In 2014, her family started caring for two beehives. They now have 300. “My husband studied beekeeping and shared with me various interesting facts about bees, how each of them has a role to play, regardless of what happens. I was bewitched and I said I wanted to come and help him. Then, I never wanted to leave. I like to hear them buzzing. It calms you, and we work really well together [with the bees],” laughs Bacaliuc, letting the honey cream flow slowly into a jar. She takes a little honey with a wooden stick and tastes it. She explains that it is important for it to be creamy and to melt immediately on the tip of your tongue, then turns on the stirring mechanism again, to make sure it is just right. “In summertime, I wake up and go to bed at the same pace as bees do. I always keep an eye on the weather forecast. I know at what time sun rises, what direction the wind blows, when it is going to rain and when it is going to be nice ... What I like best is the day when honey is harvested, because that’s when we see the result of our year-long work,” says Bacaliuc. She puts in her maximum effort so that the beekeeping will turn into a long-lasting family business that her three sons, who only run among the beehives now, will eventually like to take over. As part of the EVA project ‘Strengthened Gender Action in Cahul and Ungheni districts’, funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNICEF, UN Women has developed gender-responsive local development strategies and transformed budget programs to respond better to the needs of everyone, specifically women, girls and the most vulnerable groups in these districts. Cristina Bacaliuc and Liza Mămăligă benefited from these efforts, which aimed to create profitable and inclusive economic opportunities in Cahul and Ungheni districts by diversifying and supporting small businesses, including those of women entrepreneurs.

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16 July 2022

Call for Proposals “Ukraine Regional Response” - updated deadline

The overall purpose of this call for proposals is to provide grants to women and young women’s civil society organizations in Ukraine and Moldova that focus on promoting socio-economic recovery, leadership and political participation of women and young women in forced displacement (e.g. refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers) in crisis and humanitarian contexts. The WPHF will fund qualifying projects in: Ukraine Moldova The projects must focus on one country. Multi-country projects, or projects outside the geographical focus will NOT be accepted. CSOs can apply for a maximum of 12 months. International, national, regional or local/grassroots women or young women led, women’s rights, youth rights, feminist, or civil society organizations with a proven track record working with women, young women and girls in forced displacement, are eligible to apply. Organizations led by displaced persons are strongly encouraged to apply. Deadline for Early submission: 27 June Deadline for Second submission: 11 July Deadline for Third submission: 15 August (please note organizations should only apply to one submission deadline) Please find below additional information on the call for proposal and on how to apply (templates): Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Call for Proposals “Ukraine Regional Response” Indicator Tip Sheet for Institutional Funding, WPHF Impact Area 1: Enabling Environment for Women Peace and Security Indicator Tip Sheet, WPHF Impact Area 6: Peacebuilding & Recovery Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, STREAM 1: INSTITUTIONAL FUNDING Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, STREAM 2: PROGRAMMATIC FUNDING An online information session will be organized for prospective applicants on 17 June 2022 at 12:30 (Geneva)/13:30 (Chisinau) by UN Women and the WPHF Secretariat. The session will be in English with ensured translation in Romanian and Ukrainian. To register your interest in the information session, please complete the following form: https://forms.gle/HwTDG3UJKMbBvz4L7 An invitation with the session link will be provided prior to the information session. This session will also be recorded and uploaded to the WPHF website for prospective applicants who are unable to attend.

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15 July 2022

Climate change resilient business: strawberries are sold like hot cakes in Parcani

The entrepreneur developed her business this spring, thanks to a grant obtained from Sweden in the framework of the “Sustainable and resilient communities through women empowerment” UNDP project. Taking care of the few cattle in the household has been Nadejda’s main activity for a number of years, alongside the agricultural works. “Not an easy task. I had to take care of six cows. I used to get up when it was still dark to collect the milk, which was to be sold as soon as possible to avoid its spoiling, and I would work till midnight for making the cheese. It is quite exhausting work at the age of 60,” says the woman. Last year, Nadejda decided to start growing strawberries so as to become financially independent and to create jobs for other women from her community. The investments to start up such a business are much higher than the family could afford. She found out from her children about the grants provided by Sweden and UNDP, who have encouraged her and helped her to submit the application to take part in the competition. “I have grown strawberries before as well, but only in open field, and the harvests were mainly destroyed by rains. I have discussed with the family and we decided to build a greenhouse. My sons told me about this project and that I meet all the participation requirements. I was so glad when they told me that I was one of the winners. It is not so easy to gather such an amount with our own forces.” The grant of US$12.600 has helped her to build the greenhouse, to import the seedling and to conclude all necessary documents: “We built the greenhouse at the beginning of March and in April we have planted the seedling,” tells joyfully Nadejda Dobrova. She has planted two varieties of strawberries in the greenhouse of 500 square meters: Asia and Alba, imported from Italy, adapted to the climate conditions in the Republic of Moldova. She has cropped several rows in the open field as well. The entrepreneur grows an organic product, this being one of the project’s requirements. To have a rich harvest, she uses only natural fertilizers obtained from manure and well water. To protect the plantation against pests, she has planted garlic along the land field. Nadejda has already got the first harvest. She got up to 300 grams of strawberries per plant. The harvest will double next year. The sweet and aromatic berries are sold like hot cakes, ending up as well in the children’s camp near Bender (Tighina). The demand for strawberries is high thanks to their sweet flavor, but also the benefits for health. “The buyers are satisfied. They even allow their children to eat as much as they want, as they know that the product is of high quality. And this makes me happy. I would not have been able to start this business without this grant.” Nadejda’s husband is very engaged in the family business development. “Strawberries are of the best quality. I have seen already the benefits induced by the sunbeds. This is just the first step and encouragement to develop the business further on,” notes Vasile Dobrov, Nadejda’s husband. The spouses hope to build one more greenhouse. Besides the non-reimbursable financial assistance, Nadejda also benefits from mentorship and training provided by the environmental NGO “Pomul Vieții”, selected by the UNDP project “Climate resilient communities by empowering women”. “In the Transnistrian region, there are few businesses managed by women. Our aim is to inform about the sustainable practices which may be used in agriculture, so as to adapt to climate change, especially in protected spaces. We have conducted an analysis of the soil from this region, of its structure, to advice what can be planted in the greenhouse and what microelements are necessary to obtain a good and organic harvest,” mentions Aliona Andreiciuc, representative of the “Pomul Vieții” NGO. Now Nadejda Dobrova is learning how to manage the natural resources in a sustainable and efficient way, to reduce environment degradation and to increase climate change resilience at the local level. “She has taken into account all our recommendations and the result is compelling – healthy plants and a rich harvest. We will continue our trainings to discuss about the setup of a system to collect rainwater from the greenhouse surface, so as to settle the problem of insufficient drinking water not contaminated with pesticides. Rainwater collection represents a modality for saving drinking water,” adds Aliona Andreiciuc. About 150 tons of water may be collected per year from a greenhouse like that of Nadejda. 11 women entrepreneurs from Nisporeni, Călărași, Leova, Dubăsari districts, Gagauzia and Transnistrian regions obtained grants of up to $18.000 each to start up or to develop environmentally friendly and climate resilient businesses. Women from rural area are four times more prone to poverty, are under-presented in decision-taking process and more vulnerable to climate change. “Sustainable and resilient communities through women empowerment” project aims to increase women’s access to alternative income-generating activities, as well as to knowledge and information on resilient management of natural and agricultural resources. The project is implemented by UNDP during 2020 – 2023, with financial assistance from Sweden.

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Press Release

04 August 2022

Busted: 14 myths about breastfeeding

1. Myth? Breastfeeding is easy. Babies are born with the reflex to look for their mother’s breast. However, many mothers need practical support with positioning their baby for breastfeeding and making sure their baby is correctly attached to the breast. Breastfeeding takes time and practice for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is also time intensive, so mothers need space and support at home and work.
2. Myth? It’s usual for breastfeeding to hurt – sore nipples are inevitable. Many mothers experience discomfort in the first few days after birth when they are learning to breastfeed. But with the right support with positioning their baby for breastfeeding and making sure their baby is correctly attached to the breast, sore nipples can be avoided. If a mother faces breastfeeding challenges like sore nipples, support from a lactation consultant or other skilled professional can help them overcome the issue.
3. Myth? You should wash your nipples before breastfeeding. Washing your nipples before breastfeeding isn’t necessary. When babies are born, they are already very familiar with their own mother’s smells and sounds. The nipples produce a substance that the baby smells and has ‘good bacteria’ that helps to build babies’ own healthy immune system for life. Did you know? Breastfeeding protects your baby from ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and other childhood diseases. 4. Myth? You should separate a newborn and mother to let the mother rest. Doctors, nurses and midwives often encourage the practice of ‘skin-to-skin’ – also known as kangaroo mother care – immediately after birth. Bringing your baby in direct contact, so their skin is against yours, is a very important practice that helps them to find and attach to the breast. If you can practice this within one hour after birth and then frequently after, it helps to establish breastfeeding. If the mother cannot do this, then the partner or another family member can step in.
5. Myth? You should only eat plain food while breastfeeding. Like everybody else, breastfeeding mothers need to eat a balanced diet. In general, there is no need to change food habits. Babies are exposed to their mothers’ food preferences from the time they are in the womb. If a mother perceives that her baby reacts to a specific food she eats, it is best to consult a specialist.
6. Myth? Exercise will affect the taste of your milk. Exercise is healthy, also for breastfeeding mothers. There is no evidence that it affects the taste of your milk.
7. Myth? You won’t be able to breastfeed unless you do it straight away. It is easier to get breastfeeding started if you begin in the first hour after birth because a baby’s reflexes are very strong at that time. They are ready to learn to feed at the breast. If you do not latch your baby on right after birth, do it as soon as possible in your situation. If you need help putting your baby to the breast, ask for support from a qualified lactation consultant or other skilled professional. Frequent skin-to-skin contact and putting your baby to the breast will help to get breastfeeding going. Did you know? Breastfeeding protects the mother from diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers, heart disease and postpartum depression. 8. Myth? You can never use formula if you want to breastfeed. Mothers may decide they need to use formula on some occasions, while continuing to breastfeed. It is important to seek unbiased information on formula and other products that replace breastmilk. To keep breastmilk production going, continue offering the breast to your baby as often as possible. It can be useful for mothers to consult a lactation specialist or skilled professional to help with a plan that works best for them to continue breastfeeding.
9. Myth? Many mothers can’t produce enough milk. Almost all mothers produce the right amount of milk for their babies. Breastmilk production is determined by how well the baby is latched on to the breast, the frequency of breastfeeding and how well the baby is removing milk with each feeding. Breastfeeding isn’t a ‘one woman’ job and mothers need support. Support like ongoing breastfeeding guidance from health care providers, help at home, and staying healthy by eating and drinking well.
10.   Myth? You shouldn't breastfeed if you’re sick. Depending on the kind of illness, mothers can usually continue breastfeeding when they’re sick. You need to make sure you get the right treatment, and to rest, eat and drink well. In many cases, the antibodies your body makes to treat your disease or illness will pass on to your baby, building his or her own defences.
11.   Myth? You can’t take any medication if you’re breastfeeding. It’s important to inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding and to read the instructions with any medications you buy over the counter. It might be necessary to take medications at a specific time or in a specific dosage, or to take an alternative formulation. You should also tell the baby’s doctor about any medications that you’re taking. Did you know? The ‘first milk’ – or colostrum – is rich in antibodies and gives newborns an immunity boost while their own immune systems are still developing. 12. Myth? Babies who have been breastfed are clingy. All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain. Breastfed babies are held a lot and because of this, breastfeeding has been shown to enhance bonding with their mother.
13.   Myth? It’s hard to wean a baby if you breastfeed for more than a year. There’s no evidence that it is more difficult to stop breastfeeding after one year, but there is evidence that breastfeeding up to two years is beneficial for both mothers and children. All mothers and babies are different and need to determine together how long they want to breastfeed.
14.   Myth? If you go back to work, you’ll have to wean your baby. Many mothers continue breastfeeding after going back to work. First, check the policies in your country and your own workplace. If you have the right to time and a place to breastfeed during working hours, you may be able to go home and breastfeed, ask a family member or friend to bring your baby to you, or to express your milk and take it home. If you don’t have the option to breastfeed during working hours, look for moments during the day to express your milk and then feed your baby directly when you are at home. If you decide to give your baby a breastmilk substitute for some feeds, it still very good to continue breastfeeding whenever you are with your baby.

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Press Release

02 August 2022

Digital Transformation of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Republic of Moldova

This comes as a result of the UNESCO-Republic of Korea Funds-In-Trust for the Development of Creative Industries selecting the Republic of Moldova as one of its beneficiaries for the 2021-2022 cycle titled “Digital Creativity Lab”. This follows in its endeavour to support digital creativity in the spirit of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Cultural expressions, ratified by the Republic of Moldova in 2006. The projected activities will support the country’s effort to enhance its cultural and creative sector for sustainable development, with a special focus on the digital environment. This is in line with the National Strategy for Information Society Development, notably with regard to creating favourable conditions for the development of information and communications technologies. Furthermore, the project follows the country’s National Development Strategy, concerning the education system to labour-market needs in order to enhance labour productivity and increase employment in the economy. Throughout the project, partners in the Republic of Moldova will be supported in their efforts to map the digital cultural and creative sectors, aiming towards the ultimate goal of establishing a multi-stakeholder national online register of the cultural and creative sectors, combining government institutions, private sector, civil society organizations, and individual entrepreneurs. Nonetheless, following the identification of gaps in digital skills and available resources in the cultural and creative sectors, the project will also support specific training programmes for cultural workers and entrepreneurs, in partnership with educational institutions. During the opening of the kick-off meeting, Andrei Chistol, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, stated that competitiveness at European level can only be achieved if the right conditions are created for developing creativity and innovation. “Addressing the digital gaps in the cultural and creative sectors by strengthening skills and policy frameworks, in the face of rapid technological changes seems like a perfect opportunity for achieving this”, he concluded. The cultural and creative industries have been one of the world’s most rapidly growing sectors globally, contributing 3 percent of the global GDP. However, this sector is among the most severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Due to the pandemic, we witnessed a massive migration of cultural activities to online and hybrid forms. This contributed to advancing the digitization of culture, but at the same time it amplified gaps in access, creation, and remuneration, highlighting the fragility of the sector and the vulnerability of its workforce. Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women, Country Representative, and United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i. Matteo Rosati, Officer-in-charge of the Culture unit at the UNESCO Regional Bureau, highlighting that "this project is also a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily impacted country and dramatically highlighted the relevance of digital platforms, tools and the need for the increased digital competences of cultural workers and entrepreneurs". The vastly diverse creative sector in the Republic of Moldova is a precious and partly untapped resource which deserves to be fostered and made more resilient. Through doing so the sector will be fundamental in stimulating dialogue, inclusion and the progression of sustainable development. Rosati showed appreciation for the excellent cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, and commended the generous support of the Republic of Korea, and Artcor for hosting the kick-off event. The 30-year anniversary of strong diplomatic ties between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Moldova were venerated by Lee Jin-sik, Director General for Culture Policy from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, who addressed the audience in a video message and wished the Republic of Moldova successful implementation of the project. Moldovan Creative Ecosystems The Creative Services industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Republic of Moldova, developing at a rate of 11% each year. The sector encompasses everything from advertising and architecture to graphics and game design, and offers some of the highest salaries in the country. The Creative Industries Association in the Republic of Moldova supports and represents the companies and NGOs of the creative industries sector in the country by ensuring their growth, education and connection at the local and international levels. Vasil Braga, the general Director at COR, underlined that “the project must ensure the awareness and visibility of Moldova as a country with a high potential in the creative fields”. Today’s creativity can become tomorrow's heritage. Moldova provides an attractive and healthy ecosystem for the creative industries with a favourable environment for collaboration, learning and development. Corina Călugăru, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Moldova to UNESCO The project launch event was held at the Artcor – Creative Centre’s premises, which is a collaborative project of the Creative Industries Association and the Academy of Theatre, Music and Fine Arts in the Republic of Moldova. Entirely designed and realised by local professionals, with the participation of students from the neighbouring Academy of Theatre, Music and Fine Arts, the new Artcor centre is a vibrant cultural hub offering opportunities for events, technical and vocational training, and co-working. It also has facilities to host creative start-ups, a library, meeting rooms, a book and design shop, a sound recording studio and rehearsal rooms. Viorica Cerbușca, Executive Director at Artcor, presented recent achievements in the digitization of the cultural and creative sector, emphasizing that “Artcor serves as an engine of innovation that contributes to the development of creative entrepreneurship and stimulates the exchange of know-how and ideas”. Cultural activities contributed to 6% of the GDP in 2014, with the large share of creative activities. However, to tap into the full economic and developmental potential of creative industries, current and future cultural operators and professionals must be able to acquire and develop artistic, creative, technical, managerial skills, and competences so that they may express and manifest their creativity - transforming it into economically viable activities, goods and services and effectively manage cultural businesses, institutions and events. With the dynamics and recent rapid expansion of the cultural and creative sectors in mind, it is expected that this project will further contribute to the visibility of culture’s contribution to inclusive economic growth, social cohesion and Life quality, in line with the principles and aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its targets related to economic growth, education for sustainable development.

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Press Release

01 August 2022

A concert with music from the Oscar movies was performed at Tighina Fortress

This year, the orchestra came up a new repertoire. The composition of the orchestra was different as well, with musicians from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, and other European countries. "We are happy to be back with a new cultural program at the Tighina Fortress. Since our first concert here, I felt in love with this place. Here the public is so warm and respectful towards art. It's a privilege to witness how music becomes the best ambassador, bringing the two banks together," said Andriano Marian, the founder and conductor of the Moldovan National Youth Orchestra. "We are hosting such a concert for the fourth time. We are glad that it becomes a tradition to conduct joint cultural projects at the fortress, which is a place full of history. Those who came earlier to the concert had the opportunity to see the ongoing restoration works at the fortress. We hope that at the next edition of the concert, the restoration works will be finalized," said Alexandr Iaskov, director of the Tighina Fortress. The concert is part of the series of six events organized in the context of the European Year of Youth, with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education and Research and UNDP. Cultural projects and the restoration of Tighina Fortress, financed by the European Union, contribute to increasing the touristic potential of the region. The EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, aims at increasing trust between people from both banks of the Nistru river, by involving them in joint projects.

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Press Release

27 July 2022

A first Business HUB was established in Tiraspol, thanks to the financial support of the European Union

So, young entrepreneurs will benefit from access to information, consultancy, and trainings. €200,000 thousand were provided by the European Union for establishing the Business HUB, through the programme "Confidence Building Measures", implemented by UNDP Moldova. “We have been waiting for a long time the launch of this Centre. Here we have a wonderful infrastructure for the development of entrepreneurs, where we can offer them consultancy and other services, to unleash their full potential,” notes Zinaida Emilianova, Manager of the Business HUB. Of 16 available workstations, 12 are already booked by the HUB’s residents, and thus the young entrepreneurs have optimal conditions to pursue the implementation of their business ideas. “We believe that business ideas, startups, and innovative entrepreneurial spirit are the key drivers which will develop and expand at the Business Hub opened in Tiraspol. The Business Hub will help the creative and tech community to flourish. The co-working spaces will facilitate linkages between entrepreneurs, business support organizations, academia, and consumers. The well-functioning of this Centre will enhance cooperation, so as confidence between stakeholders from both banks of the Nistru river,” declared Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova The newly created Business HUB in Tiraspol has not only offices and workspaces for residents, but also a conference room and other infrastructure elements necessary for young entrepreneurs. “New models of entrepreneurship and industries are in demand among young people, representing about 26% of the population on both banks. Digital, creative, tech, and green jobs are complementing or substituting traditional professions. Thus, it is our priority to support the creation of thriving youth infrastructure projects like the Business HUB by connecting them to the European network of innovation, tech, and creativity labs, that will boost common international projects that will solve beneficiaries’ needs.”Andrea Cuzyova, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Moldova The launch of the Business HUB will contribute to the economic development of the region, by training young professionals in new skills and professions of the future. The EU programme “Confidence Building Measures”, implemented by UNDP, contributes to increasing trust between the inhabitants of both banks of the Nistru river by involving them in joint projects

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Press Release

27 July 2022

17 public institutions in Chisinau have been connected to an energy management information system, with support of UNDP

This was possible thanks to the support of UNDP Moldova, offered in the framework of its project "Moldova Sustainable Green Cities", funded by the Global Environment Facility and in partnership with Green City Lab Moldova. More than 80 smart meters have been installed in these 17 public buildings. The data on the used resources are automatically transmitted to the EMIS web platform, allowing for remote and real-time consumption monitoring. At the same time, the system generates alerts when energy or water consumption increases sharply. The notification is sent to the institution's manager and other responsible persons, to ensure prompt intervention. The beneficiaries of the project were selected together with the Chisinau City Hall. One of these institutions is Municipal Children's Hospital nr. 1. The hospital has already insulated the walls, installed solar panels and will soon upgrade the lighting system, all these with the support of development partners and public funds. The new energy management information system will help the institution to make savings and efficiently manage the consumption of resources, considering the continuous increase of prices, says Aliona Rotari, the director of the hospital: "The bills are now higher than usual, because of the increasing price of various energy products, and we need to make savings. However, these savings should not affect the comfort of patients who need optimal conditions to get well. We have installed six meters by which we may monitor in real-time the use of electricity, heat, hot water, and cold water. We aim to obtain efficient energy management by reducing consumption and optimizing expenditures." The EMIS platform allows for storing monthly consumption data and comparing energy indicators during various periods of the day, month, or year. Depending on the recorded data, the management of the institutions may appreciate when the consumption of resources has been ineffective and take action to increase the energy efficiency of the building. "For example, some institutions may reduce the heating level during the night if their activity profile allows it. In the same way, water and electricity consumption may become more efficient. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption and provide maximum support to institutions that are interested in energy management. The energy consumption monitoring mechanism will be extended nationally and may be used for both public and private sectors. Our goal is to reduce energy consumption and support public institutions," says Irina Apostol, EMIS Developer at Green City Lab Moldova. EMIS was developed and launched by UNDP in Croatia in 2006, where it has been replicated in over 13,000 public buildings. Later, the EMIS model was adapted in other countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. "If used properly, the system could help generate savings of 5 to 15%. Monitoring data on energy and water consumption may help the managers of public institutions take decisions and adopt a more efficient energy management, which will lead to savings of financial resources," notes Alexandru Rotaru, Project Manager at UNDP Moldova. The 17 public buildings in the municipality of Chisinau that received access to the EMIS energy consumption monitoring information system benefited from training on using the new platform and energy management principles. At the same time, the beneficiary institutions are advised by specialists of Green City Lab Moldova on how to read and interpret the data, so as identify savings opportunities. Public and private institutions that want to use the EMIS information system to monitor electricity, thermal energy, natural gas, hot water, and cold-water consumption should contact Green City Lab Moldova.

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