RESTART results: investing in the expansion of mobile teams in northern Moldova with EU financial support
On Monday, 12 August, there was an official car donation event for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. The vehicles were purchased with financial support from the European Union. They will be distributed to the Territorial Agency for Social Assistance (ATAS) North as part of the project “Moldova Assist: Improving Access to Quality Public Services and Social Cohesion”, funded by the European Union and implemented by People in Need Moldova.
The three donated cars, valued at 1.15 million lei, will expand the Territorial Structures of Social Assistance mobile teams subordinated to ATAS North. With the help of these vehicles, social assistance workers will provide their services to more citizens in the territory, especially in distant places and hard-to-reach localities and communities.
“At the beginning of 2024, the Mobile Team service existed in only 15 out of 33 districts. We want to bring this service to every district and provide the necessary assistance to all citizens anywhere in the country. This generous donation will help to achieve this goal, to provide more social protection for the people of Briceni, Ocnița, and Rîșcani,” says Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection.
The Mobile Team is a specialised social service for people with disabilities. It provides social assistance and support at their homes based on their needs and advice and support to the people involved in their inclusion process. Mobile teams provide at-home social, psychological, and medical rehabilitation assistance to facilitate independence and social integration. The teams include psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, and speech therapists.
Expanding the social service “Mobile Team” will enhance the well-being of individuals facing significant challenges through recovery services, psychosocial rehabilitation, family involvement in care, and prevention of institutionalisation.
“Today’s event shows our shared commitment to improving lives through social services, which are the foundation on which we build a stronger and more resilient society. Our support for these mobile units and the donation is driven by the believe that everyone regardless of where they live should have the access to services that improve the quality of their life. These mobile units will be providing specialised services to reduce the challenges that people might be facing. The goal is that these mobile units are bridging gaps, overcoming barriers and making a tangible difference to the lives of the individuals and their families in the regions where this has not previously been possible”, stated Marcia Kammitsi, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
The “Restart” reform aims to improve governance and transparency in the social assistance system and to ensure uniform and equitable access to quality social services. Social assistance must be standardised across Moldova to provide sufficient and quality services in all districts and for everyone, especially children, older people, and people with disabilities.
“The new mobile units will provide fast and flexible support, ensuring that essential services and programmes can operate without disruption. This will also help strengthen the local organisations involved that are already doing a great job and give a boost to those who are just getting started. The mobile unit will be a tremendous addition, and we are delighted to see that the people of Riscani, Briceni and Ocnita will finally benefit through STAS,” says Guillermo Llinas, Country Director for People in Need Moldova.
At the end of the event, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection thanked the partners for supporting the strengthening and development of the social assistance system.