Ten local authorities in the Republic of Moldova were awarded today with grants in value of $15,000 each under the Financial Support Program launched as part of the project "Strengthening data governance through reliable and disaggregated demographic data". This initiative is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Moldova in partnership with the State Chancellery and funded by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova.
The project's aim is to enhance local authorities' capacity to implement effective public policies and ensure transparent budgets by leveraging population data and demographic forecasts. The ten beneficiary localities are: Nisporeni Town Hall, Ruseștii Noi Commune Hall, Strășeni Municipality Hall, Budești Village Hall, Ghidighici Village Hall, Edineț Municipality Hall, Bălți Municipality Hall, Florești Town Hall, Cimișlia Town Hall, and Copceac Village Hall.
Under the program, the town halls will receive financial and technical assistance to address current demographic challenges such as population aging and youth emigration.
During the event, UNFPA Moldova Representative, Karina Nersesyan stated: “This opportunity comes at a crucial time as Moldova's European integration journey opens new avenues for modernization and progress. Through this program, we will assist local authorities in enhancing their development efforts using innovative solutions grounded in reliable demographic data. UNFPA is committed to supporting efficient and transparent governance that improves citizens' quality of life through well-informed interventions."
Experts highlight that analyzing population structure data, such as age distribution, migration, and birth rates, allows local governments to identify needs more accurately. For instance, a community with an increasing number of children may require new kindergartens, whereas regions with aging populations may need investments in social services for the older peoples. Demographic data utilization enables informed decision-making and efficient allocation of resources to address real community needs.
Among the beneficiaries is the City Hall of Nisporeni, where local authorities welcomed the opportunity: "This grant is an extraordinary opportunity for our community's development. It will allow us to implement concrete initiatives to tackle challenges like a declining active population and youth emigration. One of the greatest advantages of this program is not just financial support but also technical training to effectively work with data. For example, we will analyze population trends, migration rates, and age distribution, enabling us to make informed decisions that directly address our community's needs. We want our young people to see a future here and our citizens to experience real change in their daily lives." said the mayor of Nisporeni, Dan Nagel.
Victoria Calmîș, Mayor of Ghidighici Village, added: "Using precise demographic data, we can determine if there is a significant number of young people in our community who need jobs. This will help us attract investors or implement vocational training programs. Similarly, data on population aging can guide us in developing social and medical services for the elderly. Migration flow analysis can reveal the reasons for citizens leaving, enabling us to create better living and working conditions so people choose to stay."
The ten localities were selected following a rigorous public competition held this summer, with 65 local authorities applying.
This program is part of the project "Strengthening Data-Driven Governance with Reliable and Disaggregated Demographic Data for Central and Local Authorities," funded by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova and co-funded by UNFPA Moldova. The program runs until May 2026.
Previously, 20 public officials from central and local administrations participated in training under the project.
