Japan contributes US$6.8 million to enhance the energy, food and community security of Moldova

"We expect that 85,000 people will benefit from support through this project, including for installing biomass heating systems. At the same time, the project will strengthen the capacities of agricultural producers to increase food security and with the implementation of the Farmers’ Registry we will be able to allocate resources in a more efficient manner so small and medium-sized farmers will be empowered to grow and carry out more projects," said Dorin Recean, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova. 

“Human security – a life that is free from fear and free from want – should be assured for all, in any context. We are delighted to announce this partnership between Japan and UNDP Moldova, under which we will work together to strengthen human security at a time when Moldovans, and those living in Moldova, need it most. In the context of the current energy, food and socioeconomic crises, we will prioritise support for livelihoods, community security, food security and energy security under this project,” said Asako Okai, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau.

“This project is part of the $27 million package the Japanese Government had announced last December for the humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan host communities. We thank the UNDP, which is the largest UN development aid agency and a trusted partner of the Japanese Government, for assisting in strengthening security and resilience of the Republic of Moldova,” said Yoichiro Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova.

The Japan-funded project, to be implemented by UNDP over a period of a year, will contribute to increased energy security through access to affordable energy that supports livelihoods and energy-efficient production. Households will receive support to install biomass heating systems, while existing biofuel producers will be able to access grants for efficient production. Private companies in the agricultural sector and households with economic activity will be encouraged to adopt energy-efficient technologies, to help reduce the country’s dependence on natural gas imports.

The project will also strengthen the capacities of agricultural producers with the aim to enhance food security. With the development of a Farmers Registry ensuring full traceability of Moldovan agricultural products, authorities will be able to verify, certify, and monitor final products’ compliance with relevant specifications and quality requirements. Data from the registry will be used to inform decisions on granting agricultural subsidies. At the same time, MSMEs will receive support and advisory services in upgrading their harvesting, production, storage, and processing capacities.

Strengthening the capacity of police and community actors to deliver on the principles of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence and enhance community security is an important component of the project. A sociological tool to inform decision-making for central and local authorities in support of a stronger social cohesion will be piloted and tested. 

To support the prompt deployment of police services and rapid responses to community security calls or crisis situations, including in remote areas, fit-for-purpose police vehicles will be provided and police officers equipped with rugged body cameras to properly detect and document public order violations. The project will also seek to introduce smart policing tools for on-site identification and documentation of public security and road safety incidents.

The project, entitled “Multidimensional response to emerging human security challenges”, is expected to benefit 85,000 people upon completion in a year.