The Diaspora Relations Bureau (BRD) within the State Chancellery comes with good news and announces the list of beneficiaries whose projects have been declared winners under the Government's Diaspora Engagement Hub (DEH) Thematic Grant Program, 2023 edition.

As a result of the evaluation and selection, the commission designated 16 winning projects from the 39 files submitted between February 22 and March 22 of this year.

         Innovative projects of the diaspora subprogramme:

• „HARVEST – convenția antreprenorilor moldoveni din Marea Britanie” - Alexei Prepeliță,  Marea Britanie
• „Program de ghidare profesională MentorMe JobAccelerator 3.0” - Dana Munteanu, Regatul Țărilor de Jos
• „Drama-Thérapia – între necesitate și un puternic potențial pentru viitorii actori” - Victoria Ștefaniuc, Franța
   
  The sub-program for young people from the diaspora:
• „Festivalul de muzică Moldo Crescendo” - Marcel Lazăr, Austria
• „Sport și socializare” - Nicolae Caldari, SUA
• „Revista de prezentare a antreprenorilor din sud-vestul Franței” - Rodica Ninicu, Franța
   
  Sub-programme Professional Return of the Diaspora:
• „Empowering Girls” - Steluța Mazilu, Canada
• „Tehnologia educațională și educația în bază de joc (adresat echipei de management, nivel școlar)” - Irina Burlacu de Paoli, Regatul Țărilor de Jos
   
   The program to support cultural and educational activities in the diaspora: 
• „Dor de țară, dor de neam” - Lilia Tusa, Italia
• „Teatrul copilăriei” - Lilia Ipati, Austria
• „CălătorIA” - Mariana Plămădeală, Mara Britanie
• „Zilele Moldovei în Montreal” - Nata Albot, Canada
• „Expoziție de costume naționale în cadrul festivalului „Global Cathering 2023” - Diana Cazacu, Norvegia
• „MAC 9 – Pround to be from Moldova” - Marta Iacob, SUA
• „Studierea limbii ca patrimoniu cultural și integrare socio-profesională” - Ion Ciobanu, Franța
• „Rețele Diasporale-un VIITOR inclusiv” - Viorica Țîmbalari, Franța

The projects selected for financing meet all the conditions of the regulation and are to be implemented both in the Republic of Moldova and abroad within 2 weeks to 3 months, the deadline for presenting the final report being November 15, 2023.

Grants are to be granted from the state budget. Thus, for the sub-program "Professional return of the diaspora" 40 thousand lei will be granted for each project, for "Innovative projects of the diaspora" and "Sub-program for young people from the diaspora" - 50 thousand lei each, and for the Support Program of cultural and educational activities in the diaspora - 100 thousand lei for each project.

DEH is a program of thematic grants, intended for citizens originating from the Republic of Moldova abroad, implemented by the State Chancellery through the Office of Diaspora Relations. The purpose of the program is to support Moldovans abroad in the implementation of their ideas and to value the human capital of the diaspora.

The „Dolls of Hope” charity campaign initiated by the members of the Association „Din Inima Diasporei Unite” from Cantabria, president Ludmila Gaber-Stratan, recently ended and the children hospitalized at the Pediatric Department at the IMSP Oncological Institute of Moldova now each have a new friend - a magical and fragrant therapeutic doll dressed with the love of the diaspora.

The generosity gesture of the Moldovans of Cantabria is worthy of all appreciation, as they supported a noble cause to bring smiles to the faces of the saddest like us and help them beat the disease. The charity campaign took place between March and April this year, and both our compatriots from the Kingdom of Spain and Spanish citizens contributed to the purchase of over 100 therapeutic dolls.

The team of the Diaspora Relations Bureau expresses gratitude for the effort made and for the example of humanity and goodwill shown by the diaspora in carrying out this soulmission.

The forum for establishing the Alliance of Native Associations of Moldova (AABM) took place today in Chisinau and brought together representatives of the State Chancellery, Alliance of Native Associations, Local public authorities, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Nations Program United for Development (PNUD), members of the diaspora, but also other interested actors.

The objective of the event was to establish AABM as a legal entity, a process that will bring more facilities and opportunities for local development with the support of alliance members.

Present at the Forum, the state secretary of the State Chancellery, Adrian Bălutel, sent a congratulatory message in which he noted the need for the creation of the AABM. "The local development projects, the connection initiatives with our diaspora communities facilitated and driven by the Native Associations produce beautiful results that we see from all corners of the country. All projects, whether cultural or infrastructural, brought together must speak with one voice, and I'm sure that voice will be AABM. I am glad that the State Chancellery through BRD managed to contribute to this effort and I believe that from now on with the support of UNDP, BRD, SDC you will go in the right direction and the connection between the people at home and those in the diaspora will be increased, which represents an essential element that must dominate in everything we do to connect the diaspora", said Adrian Băluțel.

During the event, the representatives of the approximately 60 Native Associations, which submitted the files to become members of the AABM, designated the management persons and discussed the structure and model of internal and external cooperation of the AABM, as well as the strategic directions and results AABM for the years 2023-2027 in terms of institutional development. The forum for establishing the Alliance of Native Associations of Moldova was organized by UNDP Moldova, with the financial support of SDC.

The municipal library in Camposampiero, Italy, these days put on festive clothes, thanks to the children of the „Busuioc” Association, led by Mrs. Lilia Tusa. The purpose of their meeting was the desire to enrich themselves spiritually around the event dedicated to the Feast of the Resurrection.

With dedication and humility, the children mastered the details of dyeing and inking Easter eggs under the guidance of Mrs. Elena Boicenco and Lilia Tusa. The teachers spoke to the disciples about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and they all sang the joy of the Lord's resurrection, „Hristos a înviat.” Unmissable from the celebration were, of course, the brownies and chocolate eggs, which all those present at the activity enjoyed with love.

„When you merge and become one with these children who are eager to know their ancestral traditions, you can't help but feel the magic of our holidays at home, with the smell of muffins and red eggs”, said the president of the "Basuioc" Association ", Mrs. Tusa, who had a substantial contribution to the organization of the event.

The peoples from the „Nicolae Iorga” Romanian School in Birmingham, under the guidance of teacher Laura Elena, in addition to the basic lessons, experienced a new activity, namely they fried eggs for the upcoming Easter Holidays.

In a distinguished atmosphere, the participants of the egg-dyeing workshop learned interesting stories about Easter traditions and customs, preserved from generation to generation - reddening of eggs, preparation of cake, pastura and lamb. After painting eggs, the children continued with painting activities focused on the same Easter theme.

That activity was a good opportunity for diaspora children to discover and promote Easter traditions. The teachers of the „Nicolae Iorga” School in Birmingham were involved in the event, together with our compatriot Mariana Plămădeala, the founder of the "R.U.D.A" (United Romanians from England) Association, as well as other people willing to contribute to the perpetuation of ancestral values.

„Through the game we will help children with oncological diseases from the Republic of Moldova to defeat the disease" - is now the motto of the members of the Association „From the Heart of the United Diaspora” from the province of Cantabria, Spain, who joined their efforts and launched the "Dolls of Hope" charity campaign.

Thanks to the generosity of our compatriots in Spain, but also of Spanish citizens, at the end of April a ray of light will be sent to the children admitted to the Pediatric Department at the IMSP Oncological Institute of Moldova, namely a batch of about 100 therapeutic dolls.

A study carried out at Hospital "La Paz" in Madrid demonstrated that hospital rooms can become bright spaces, where seriously ill children are treated more easily by playing. For several years, these vanilla-scented toys with bandannas on their heads have been helping little ones in Spain get through chemotherapy and becoming their forever friends.

"It's impressive how a simple toy can help a small patient beat the disease. We really want the little ones from Moldova to feel support and love. These dolls are created with lots of love. It's the little we can do to be with the most sensitive category of children from our country", mentioned the campaign organizers.

Those wishing to contribute and support this noble cause can find details, including contact details, on the Facebook page of the "From the Heart of the United Diaspora" Association.

Recently, in the city of Brescia in Italy, the Romanian Language School was founded within the Social Promotion Association "Moldbrixia", president Lilia Bicec.

After the launch announcement, an impressive number of children from the diaspora between the ages of 5 and 15 signed up for the course. The first meeting in the school took place with the aim of establishing interpersonal relations, and in a short time a soul activity was organized in which both the children and their mothers participated. It's about an egg dyeing and dyeing workshop for the Easter holidays.

"The idea of opening a school to study the Romanian language in Brescia appeared in my mind many years ago, when I realized that our children only speak Italian. I was convinced of the fact that they need a course, a guide, a school, where they can cultivate their love for the language of their parents and grandparents, give it its true value and be proud when they speak Romanian. It took some time for that idea to mature, and this year we managed to achieve this goal", mentioned Lilia Bicec, the author of the project.

The lessons held in the Romanian Language School are welcome, because the children get used to conversing, and through the workshops they are given love for our secular traditions and customs.

The Diaspora Relations Bureau (BRD) has prepared a batch of books to give as a gift to the Romanian Language School in Brescia, „Învăţăm limba română împreună. Primii paşi. Manual pentru copiii din diasporă”, which will serve as a support in the teaching-learning process for both teachers and students. In this context, the BRD team sends congratulations, good wishes and, of course, good luck to the teachers, as well as to the parents and students of the school.

The „Vatra” Group of the „Primo Passo” Dance School from Turin, founded by our countryman, Iurie Răileanu, together with the artist Fuego created on March 26, an unforgettable evening for the community of Moldovans and Romanians in the province of Milan.

Representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Moldova in Milan, the Consulate General of Romania in Milan, members of the diaspora, amateur audience were present at the show with the title „Vatra greets Italy”. The event had a special significance, being a great opportunity to convey a message of unity and friendship for our diaspora. "Dear Bessarabian sister", a piece performed by the artist Paul Surugiu Fuego, sensitized the spectators who for a moment felt like Home.

The „Vatra greets Italy” tour started in the city of Turin and on March 25 the first concert took place, attended by about 700 people passionate about art and beauty. Two other shows will take place in the cities of Verona and Rome.

Maria Masaud, living in Syria, visited the Diaspora Relations Bureau (BRD) today.

We had a productive discussion with Ms. Masaud. She told us about the existing problems in Syria, following the devastating earthquake. Also, our interlocutor requested informational support regarding the completion of identity documents, noting that it is one of the main problems of Moldovans in Syria.

For her part, the head of the BRD, Nadejda Zubco, thanked Ms. Maria Masaud for the visit and her trust in the Bureau, assuring her of support. In this context, the head of BRD spoke about the government programs for the diaspora, encouraging her to analyze their opportunities.

The Moldovan folk dance ensemble „Vatra” marked the arrival of spring with an exceptional concert, organized in Montreal, on March 19, current.

At the show entitled „Hora Primăverii”, the more than 80 dancers of the „Vatra” ensemble delighted the audience with a suite of dances with choreographies inspired by the culture and traditions of our nation - „Mărunțica”, „Polobocul”, „Mother's Girl”, „Southern hour” etc. Gypsy, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Greek dances heated up the atmosphere, pleasing both our compatriots and the Canadians present at the event, who applauded the dancers for minutes on end. In order to complete the festive atmosphere, the dancers offered marigolds as a gift to the children present in the hall.

The concert was directed and organized by Irina Chirca, founder of the Moldovan Folk Dance Ensemble „Vatra”, choreographer, producer, and ex-dancer of the „JOC” National Ballet.

The „Vatra” ensemble was founded in March 2016. Due to its impressive stage performances, this collective is currently enjoying popularity in Canada, being invited to participate in various cultural events and international festivals, in which they promote the image of the Republic of Moldova.

The topic regarding the performance of the show „Testament” by Gheorghe Urschi in the diaspora was discussed, today, in a working meeting attended by members of the diaspora from Italy and France, representatives of the Diaspora Relations Office, the Republican Theater „Luceafărul”, the Consulate of the Republic of Moldova in Padua, but also members of the Urschi family.

The interlocutors analyzed the possibilities of holding the show in the cities of Padua and Nice. Also, logistical aspects were discussed such as identifying the period and location, but also about the mobilization of the diaspora in order to promote the event.

We remind you that the troupe of actors from the „Luceafărul” Republican Theater will present the „Testament” show as part of a tour organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the Bureau of Diaspora Relations, in the context of the 75th anniversary of maestro Gheorghe Urschi.

The President of the Cultural Society „Dacia” from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Mr. Nicolae Plushkis, every time he returns to Moldova, he does not hesitate to visit the Diaspora Relations Bureau (BRD), always having new ideas and a desire to be involved in various projects.

This time, Mr. Plushkis told us about the „March 2023” Festival, which took place on March 18 this year, expressing his gratitude to the BRD team for supporting the initiative to offer as a gift objects of national symbolism to the members of the diaspora from Kazakhstan, present at this Festival. „Even if we are established thousands of kilometers away from our native country, through such events we feel at home, and everything we do is from the heart”, noted our guest.

For her part, the head of BRD, Nadejda Zubco, noted the direct involvement of Nicolae Plushkis in organizing last year's edition of Diaspora Days. In this context, the head of BRD awarded the president of the „Dacia” Cultural Society, a diploma of gratitude for participating in the events dedicated to Diaspora Days, 2022 edition, for considerable efforts and substantial involvement in organizing the cultural program with the participation of artists from the diaspora.

Also, Nadejda Zubco spoke to Mr. Plushkis about the Diaspora Congress to be held on August 18-20, but also about the DOR Government Program Diaspora*Origins*Returns, 11th edition, suggesting him to encourage children and young people Kazakhstan nationals to register by April 21 to participate in the Program.