Active youth create new opportunities for development in Moldovan villages
The Junior Club of the Alliance of Hometown Associations of Moldova counts 20 young women and men. They meet monthly to discuss ideas and ways to involve young people from rural communities in local decision-making and activities.
This year, on International Youth Day, celebrated on the 12 August, we are proud to tell the story of some of the youngest members of the Juniors Club.
From interest in photography to interest in the people behind the camera
Mihaela Socol is 20 years old and comes from the village of Vorniceni, Strășeni district. She is passionate about photography and uses communication through images to connect with the diaspora. From one picture to the next, she became increasingly interested in the people behind the camera and decided to get actively involved in making her neighborhood more dynamic and prosperous. She became a member and then the president of the Junior Hometown Association from Vorniceni.
”I couldn’t see any change in the community and I really wanted to be more involved, so I decided to start from scratch. I found new junior members, connected with them and over time, we became an association, but also a family,” says Mihaela.
Now, they also organize festivals and other local events and have opened weekly interest clubs for young people: reading, critical thinking, public speaking, photography, and board games.
Mihaela also feels that her peers have become more aware of the importance of protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and adapting to climate change.
Local youth councils — accelerators of involvement
Victor Babcinețchi, an 18-year-old from the Șoldănești city, was twice the president of the local Youth Council.
”Young people contribute to sustainable development by actively participating in volunteer projects, promoting environmental education and taking part in local decision-making. I like to be involved. The activity that energises me is my work at the local Hometown Association, where young people’s ideas are always at the forefront. I get a lot of positive feedback from the locals about what we do,” says Victor.
One of his proudest achievements is the summer “AcasăCamp”, organized for the second year in Cobîlea village from the Șoldănești district with the support of the Alliance of Hometown Associations of Moldova and with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Switzerland.
”Through our Junior Club, we raised funds for the camp. Here, everyone’s ideas come to life and it was a dream come true to see so many young people and children happy. The camp was attended by 36 children and young people, five of whom were from the diaspora,” he said enthusiastically.
A first-year student at the State University of Moldova, majoring in Law, Victor sees young people as the future of his community.
”I want to develop myself professionally and give young people as many opportunities as possible for their personal development. My advice to young people is: If you have a dream, strive to make it come true,” he urges.
This year, Victor Babcinețchi received the National Youth Award, and the council he led at the respective time has been appointed the Local Youth Council of the Year 2021 by the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova.
Commitment — a natural thing, not a burden
Zinaida Chitoroagă is a 20-year-old young woman involved in community development in the village of Sipoteni, Călărași district. She is vice-president of the local Hometown Association (HTA) and a specialist in attracting investment to the town hall. She started on this path as leader of the HTA’s Junior Club.
“My experience started with the ‘Sipoteni — Youth Capital’ programme, where I participated in several small local development projects. These activities helped me develop my skills and be noticed for my commitment. For Sipoteni, diaspora engagement means mobilising resources for the needs of the community and a sense of belonging. It is an honour to have reliable partners who constantly support us,” says Zinaida.
Like Victor, Zinaida is organizing the summer #AcasăCamp for community and diaspora children and youth for the second year in a row.
“We are changing people’s perceptions and encouraging them to join us. We want to inspire them to become an active part of the community life. I always tell the young people in my team to get involved if they feel the call, to do what they are passionate about, with patience and courage. Let them be an example for others. But if they don’t feel like it anymore, they shouldn’t do it out of obligation,” Zinaida concludes.
As villages become more dynamic, more young people choose to stay in their communities
Veronica Sîrbu, a 21-year-old from the village of Sireți, Strășeni district, a student of international relations, always makes time in her schedule for civic engagement in her hometown.
In addition to her role as a youth specialist and local councillor, Veronica is also involved in many voluntary activities. She coordinates projects such as the renovation of the local park, with support from the diaspora, and organizes summer camps for children.
“I want young people to have access to more opportunities and be motivated to take an active part in community life. I took action when I saw the problems faced by young people in the village. The lack of activities and a suitable space for young people in the village made me want to get involved,” says Veronica Sîrbu.
One project she is very passionate about is the creation of a volunteer fire station in the village of Sireți, an initiative carried out in cooperation with the local authorities. Veronica has been volunteering at the fire station since 2021.
”Courage and commitment have no gender. When dealing with fire, women show the same determination and competence as men. Women in this profession, like men, prove their ability to save lives and protect our communities every day,” said Veronica.
The Alliance of Hometown Associations of Moldova was created in 2023, with the support of UNDP and the Swiss Government.
The establishment of the Alliance of Hometown Associations was a necessary step to consolidate the 160 Hometown Associations that have been created and developed since 2015 with the support of the UNDP project “Migration and Local Development”, financed by the Swiss Government. Since then, the Hometown Associations have demonstrated that they are capable of meaningfully contributing to local development.
