Strengthening the Rights of Roma on the Left Bank of the Dniester/Nistru River: Two Stories of Change

With the support of the project Strengthening the rights of minorities in the Republic of Moldova, funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Human Rights Moldova, Roma community mediators continue to make a real difference in the lives of Roma families on the left bank of Dniester/Nistru River. Since 2021, the Roma community mediators’ institution has been piloted and carries out its activities in six localities with the technical and expert support of UN Human rights Moldova, including in Bender, where mediator Vasilisa Avtutova works tirelessly to support families obtain vital identity documents.

A key component of the project that supports the Roma mediators’ institution, is the Contingency Fund, designed to help the most vulnerable Roma individuals cover state fees for acquiring or restoring essential documents such as birth certificates, ID cards, disability certificates and others. The fund also covers costs related to guardianship, custody, and medical services required for obtaining disability status or enrolling children in school. With these tools, mediators like Avtutova have been able to address systemic barriers that prevent Roma families from accessing their human rights, including education, healthcare, social protection, and employment.

Below are two stories that illustrate the life-changing impact of this work.

Story One: A Single Mother’s Struggle for Her Children’s Future

One of the families supported by Vasilisa Avtutova is headed by Angela, a single mother of five children aged 10, 9, 7, 6, and 1. Angela’s story highlights the challenges that many Roma families face when gaps in their documentation leave them excluded from social services. 

UN Human Rights: Angela, a single mother with five children from Bender, the left bank of Dniester/Nistru River, August 2025

“When Angela came to me, she had no Moldovan birth certificates for her younger children, which meant she could not apply for social allowances on the Right bank,” Avtutova recalls. “She had a Moldovan passport, but her children only had local certificates from the Left bank. Without legalized documents, the children could not access the support they urgently needed.”

Through the Contingency Fund, Avtutova helped Angela collect the necessary documentation, submit applications, and legalize her children’s birth certificates in Varnița. Within two months, Angela received the Moldovan birth certificates for her children, which opened the door to state allowances and social support. The family was soon able to access child benefits, such as a maternity allowance of over MDL 21,000 for the youngest child. 

Avtutova also managed to convince Angela to enroll the children in school in Bender, where the family lives. With the support of the Roma mediator, Angela opened a bank account and received certificates confirming her status as a mother of a large family, which also entitled her to free public transport and school meals for her children.

“Angela cried when she realized her children were finally registered in the system,” Avtutova explained. “Now, she is also determined to send all of them to school, and she listens carefully to my advice. It is a huge step forward for the family.”

Story Two: Helping Young People Build Their Future

Another case supported by Avtutova involves a family with two youth, Madonna, a 19-year-old girl and her 20-year-old brother, Amid. Both lacked Moldovan identity documents, which left Amid without access to education opportunities, jobs, or healthcare on the Right bank.

UN Human Rights: Vasilisa Avtutova - Roma community mediator and Elena Cuijiclu, Human Rights Officer, are discussing the positive results of cooperation

“Amid had never even obtained an ID. By the time he turned 20, he had no official documents, no education, and he couldn’t even apply for a job,” said Avtutova.

With the help of the Contingency Fund, Avtutova guided the family through the process of applying for Moldovan documents. Madonna, who had already completed nine grades of school, was able to enroll in training courses to pursue a profession. However, financial challenges remain, as she needs equipment to practice her new skills.

Their mother and grandmother were deeply moved by the support they received. “They kept calling me, asking not only for help with thee documents but also advice on what steps to take next,” said Avtutova. “For families like theirs, documents are the first step towards opportunity.”

Building Inclusion Through Mediation

The stories of Angela and the young siblings from Bender illustrate how UN Human Rights project, funded by EU is addressing systemic exclusion by tackling one of the most pressing barriers for Roma families: lack of identity documents. By covering costs through the Contingency Fund and guiding families through bureaucratic hurdles, mediators help Roma gain access to their fundamental rights.

As Avtutova emphasizes, “For Roma families, overcoming difficulties with documents mean gaining access to education, healthcare, and social support. They mean being visible and recognized as full citizens.”

The pilot Roma mediator institution on the Left bank shows that targeted, community-based support can transform lives and break cycles of exclusion. With sustained efforts, more Roma families will be able to access their rights and build better futures for their children.