EU supports training in fundraising of activists from both banks of Nistru

As part of the EU-funded project “Strengthening the rights of minorities in the Republic of Moldova” on 15-16 July 2025, UN Human Rights organized the training “Developing successful project proposals: from an idea to a finished proposal,” in Holercani.

The training brought together 20 human rights defenders and activists from both banks of Dniester/Nistru River who work to promote and protect the rights of minorities. The training was aimed at improving their ability to develop and present effective project proposals to donors. The two-day training combined theoretical insights with hands-on exercises, guiding participants from idea formulation to full project design. Sessions explored donor expectations, SMART results and indicators, budgeting, sustainability, and added value presentation. Practical group work, peer exchanges, and case-based discussions ensured an interactive and engaging learning environment.

Building Knowledge and Confidence The training helped participants strengthen their understanding of the core elements of project development and donor engagement. Most participants noted that they gained a clearer vision of how to structure proposals, formulate objectives, and link activities to measurable results. As noted by one participant representing a Roma CSO: “Now I will be more thoughtful about how to formulate objectives and problems.”

Participants emphasized that the training’s practical focus boosted their confidence and highlighted the usefulness of clear proposal structuring, risk identification, and budget planning. They valued interactive exchanges, peer learning, and practical tools for aligning applications with donor expectations. “We covered a lot of important topics, but it would be beneficial to allocate more time to the most complex ones. I was particularly interested in the SMART approach to results and indicators”- one of the participants noted.

The participant noted that civil society needs to strengthen its capacity to present its achievements to donor partners and to carry out fundraising for its activities. Participants expressed interest in learning more about approaches to writing project proposals for specific donors and mentoring on real proposals.

This training demonstrates UN Human Rights’ continued commitment to supporting civil society organizations in Moldova by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to secure funding, strengthen their projects, and promote human rights, equality, and inclusion throughout the country.