NGOs from Transdniestria and donors reflect on 2017 outcomes and future plans at OSCE Mission to Moldova-organized Donors Forum

Civil society organizations from the left bank (Transdniestria) and donors gathered for this year’s Donors Forum organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in Chisinau on 8 November 2017 to reflect on the work that they have accomplished together as well as lay out plans for the future.

More than 85 participants, including representatives of a wide range of initiative groups and non-governmental organizations, exchanged information, made new contacts, and discussed opportunities for co-operation.

Civil society representatives described their needs and challenges in the local context, and specifically focused on initiatives that promote a positive image of NGOs on the left bank and emphasize the assistance and services that such entities can provide for ordinary citizens. Donors shared lessons learned and highlighted grant opportunities that will be available in 2018. Participants also discussed how to better develop community-level civic engagement and encourage volunteering to help address social, environment and economic challenges in Transdniestria.

Evgenii Dunaev of the Apriori Legal Information Centre said: “This forum is a unique, annual opportunity for us to gather as NGOs and to meet as many donors as possible. I hope that we have made good use of our time together today.”

The Donors Forum was organized as part of a year-long project implemented by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Apriori Legal Information Centre. The project aims to improve the conditions and capacity of local civil society to provide better assistance to the public and, thus, raise human rights observance in the region.