The craftsmen, supported by the International Labour Organization, participated in the 11th edition of the Fair “On the Shore of Nistru River", in Soroca

There were 10 craftsmen among them, who studied various crafts this year thanks to a training program organized by the Handicrafts Union from Moldova with the financial and methodological assistance of the International Labour Organization (ILO), within Soroca Local Employment Partnership (LEP). The recent graduates of the training program participated for the first time in such a fair and were satisfied because they could not only exhibit, but also sell their first handicrafts and meet other folk craftsmen, who shared some secrets related to traditional crafts.

Ana and Anastasia Dohan are twin sisters from the city of Soroca. They discovered the passion for embroidery recently, this year. For three months, they took over this job from the craftswoman and mentor, Valentina Boțoroga.  As part of the training program supported by the ILO, the 20-year-old girls managed to learn some sewing and embroidery techniques and came to the Craftsmen’s Fair with their hand-made embroideries. "We like, most of all, to embroider tablecloths and napkins with floral design, and we brought the most beautiful items to this event. We will not stop here, but will continue to develop our skills, because we like it and it is a possibility to launch a small business in the area. We are happy that the visitors manifest interest and purchase our handicrafts", said Ana Dohan.

In addition to the Dohan sisters, eight more girls and boys from Soroca district, most of them from vulnerable groups, had the opportunity, within Soroca LEP, to participate in a practical training course and to get knowledge and craftsmanship cultural values ​​needed for a job. The training course lasted for three months and was held according to the curriculum developed by the Handicrafts Union from Moldova. The participants of the training benefited from a scholarship. Each apprentice was guided by a mentor, a folk craftsman, who helped them to develop practical skills in the chosen craft, such as in the art of embroidery, stone carving, woodworking, rods weaving, etc. Besides theoretical and practical craft lessons, the young men and women attended a training course in entrepreneurship, to be able to launch a business in the field of their training. They also benefited from legal assistance regarding the registration of a business.

On-the-job training in the craft sector is one of the intervention lines of the Local Employment Partnership, an initiative launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) at the beginning of 2023 in Soroca district, aimed to contribute to the creation and formalization of jobs at the local level.

We remind you that by the end of this year, within Soroca LEP, approximately 550 jobs will be created and formalized, 24 small and micro enterprises will be expanded, and 26 businesses will be launched in various sectors, such as beekeeping, agricultural products’ processing, creative industry, etc.  Likewise, within LEP, a training curriculum in the ICT sector will be developed and implemented aimed to improve the practical skills of young people. More than 1000 inhabitants of Soroca district, including persons at risk of social exclusion, will enjoy the opportunities offered by the LEP, and more than 1500 people will indirectly benefit from the results of this activity. The initiative was launched by the ILO in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Trade Unions, Employers Organization and Soroca District Council.

For more details, please, contact: vrabie@ilo.org or call + (373) 78 11 33 90.