Moldovan PM participates in Forum of Youth Centres Network

Chisinau, 28 December /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita has participated in the Forum of Youth Centres Network. The event is dedicated to the promotion of young people, turning to account of the creativity and innovating spirit, as well as marking the results achieved by these entities during the 2022 year, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.     

The PM welcomed the extension of the network of youth centres by another 8 such spaces, which completes the present network, made up of 22 centers at the district level and 22 locally. ‘’It is necessary that we create synergies between the government, local public administrations and civil society organizations. These centres give young people possibilities of practicing volunteering, of informing, civic involvement and active participation in the public life, personal development, vocational orientation, activities for the free time. Through the involvement in the activity of such centres, young people contribute to the settlement of problems faced by their communities. In this respect, we are grateful to our development partners for every support provided in their foundation,’’ the prime minister said.      

Natalia Gavrilita referred to the 2030 Youth Strategy, which has three major priorities: programmes of a better quality for youth – based on their real needs, encouraging the civic participation of young people and the direct backing of youth organizations’ initiatives. Also, the PM highlighted the actions and measures undertaken by the government in the last year, meant to encourage young people to study and work in Moldova.    

„Through the Organization for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises Sector Development (ODIMM), we started a new programme – Start for Youth – a Sustainable Business at Home, through which young people willing to do a business can receive grants, either a loan or a loan with grant component. For its implementation, this year, the government allocated financial resources worth 20 million lei, in order to back about 100 native businesses. Also this year, we introduced cultural vouchers, for the first time in Moldova, which will encourage young people to participate in cultural events – exhibitions, plays, concerts, as well as to buy books,’’ Natalia Gavrilita stressed.      

The prime minister also referred to the fact that, despite all difficulties triggered by the war at the borders and the crises faced by the entire society. The cabinet had managed to increase the scholarships for students studying for doctor’s degree and to increase by 7 per cent the quantum of scholarships for the pupils from the vocational and higher education. PM Gavrilita also touched upon the draft law which sees the increase in the scholarships for the sportspeople participating in Olympic Games. Thus, 120 performance sportspeople from Moldova will receive twice higher scholarship starting from the next year.          

In the end, Natalia Gavrilita handed prizes for several categories: the best youth employee, the best youth specialist and for youth leader. Also, the PM noted that the Ungheni city had been declared Youth Capital 2023.  

He Youth Centres Network is the result of the cooperation between the Education and Research Ministry, Swiss Cooperation Office and the United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA Moldova. 

Photo: Government