For the first time, central and local public authorities will be able to plan their budgets and local strategies based on updated population data, taking into account demographic trends and people's real needs. The authorities will benefit from mentorship programs on the use of demographic data and population forecasting to streamline the process of planning and developing public policies. The data refer to the key demographic trends taking place in these localities: population structure, fertility, share of working-age people, migration, intergenerational relations, etc.
These activities are part of the Program of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) „Valuing the potential of migration in the Republic of Moldova”, phase III, which UNFPA joined in 2023, and which is implemented in partnership with the State Chancellery / Diaspora Relations Office and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP Moldova).
The overall objective of the Program is to improve the standard of living of Moldovan citizens, benefiting from a more inclusive, accountable, responsive and evidence-based governance, as well as increased participation of migrants/diaspora in the sustainable development of their country of origin.
The UNFPA program aims to regulate and produce reliable demographic data and official demographic forecasts to inform central and local governments in effective policy, budget planning and development. The program aims to achieve the following results:
- the regulation and production of demographic forecasts as official data;
- empowering central and local authorities to use demographic data for planning inclusive, more responsible and responsive policies, based on forecasts and demographic realities;
- Implementation of local programs that contribute to the development of democratic and resilient communities.
During the launch event of the Program „Valorization of the potential of migration in the Republic of Moldova” phase III, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the State Chancellery. During the event, Nigina Abaszada, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund mentioned that UNFPA will carry out the project „Consolidation of governance based on reliable and disaggregated demographic data for central and local authorities”, continuing to work with the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova and other partners, to improve statistical data on the population and integrate them into public policies.
„Demographic data is essential from all points of view: to support the ongoing territorial-administrative reform, to ensure data-based fiscal planning and budget allocations, the provision of social services, health, education. With the integration of this data into local and national strategies, the initiatives will respond to people's real needs and will strengthen the country's demographic resilience”, mentioned UNFPA Resident Representative to Moldova, Nigina Abaszada.
The program will be implemented between June 2023 and December 2026, with the involvement of several partner organizations: UNFPA Moldova, UNDP Moldova and the State Chancellery/Diaspora Relations Office.
