Solar powered concert rocks Chisinau

CHISINAU, Moldova – 30 April, 2013 – A solar powered concert in Chisinau this past weekend is just the beginning for rock band FurioSnails.

"In 2014, we would like to organize a larger-scale concert powered by renewable energy," said FurioSnails soloist Lilian Severin.

"We intend to promote alternative energy resources. Our desire is that the Republic of Moldova decreases its dependence on foreign energy resource suppliers, and starts producing its own energy out of solar, wind, water and biomass resources."

In Moldova, big plans for biomass

Children from the Ermoclia kindergarten are now warmer, and the heating bill has fallen >>See more photos

The kindergarten in the village of Ermoclia has declared its independence. Energy independence, that is. Instead of struggling to keep students warm with expensive imported gas, the kindergarten now heats up with locally produced biomass fuels.

It’s good for the children and the environment too. And the cost of heating the school has fallen by half.

"It is nice to come to the kindergarten," says Mihaita, a smiling four-year-old boy. "It’s warmer than at home. I will tell my mom and dad to heat our house the same way."

The school in Ermoclia was the first public institution in Moldova heated with biomass energy through a UNDP project to increase its use.

"[We are at] the beginning of the large-scale use of biomass fuels," says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar.

"Besides reducing the consumption of imported energy sources, we are introducing agricultural residues into the economic cycle. These will no longer be perceived as waste, but as a new business opportunity and source of income."

Moldova: Community-led development means better quality of life

CHISINAU, Moldova - 22 May, 2012 - For the first time in his life, 76 year-old Mihai Druta does not have to carry water 1.5 kilometres to his house. He now has his own water supply in his home, a sewer system, and garbage is collected regularly in his neighbourhood.

“It's a change that makes our life easier,” said Mihai Druta. “The price is reasonable and the service is good."

Four years ago, public services were a luxury for most residents of Telenesti, a town of 9,000 people, whose water supply and sewer systems had not been repaired in 20 years.

In response, the local government teamed up with community members to prioritize the most pressing development needs and come up with projects to address them.

Moldova: Elections go hi-tech, include Moldovans abroad and visually impaired

CHISINAU, Moldova – 3 December 2010 – Moldovan citizens, including a record number of those living abroad, cast their votes during early parliamentary elections on 28 November. This year’s voter turnout was higher than any other previous elections. Watch: campaign video encouraging people to vote View: photos from election day

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark's official visit to Montenegro

PODGORICA, Montenegro – 8 September 2010 – UNDP Administrator Helen Clark was in Montenegro as part of a two day official visit in the country, followed by a visit to Moldova. View: photo gallery of Helen Clark's visit in Montenegro Watch: Videos of Helen Clark in Montenegro, including interviews and a trip to Mojkovac in the North

Moldova: UNDP Administrator discusses disaster recovery and development progress on official visit

CHISINAU, Moldova – 13 September 2010 – UNDP Administrator Helen Clark visited the Republic of Moldova on a two day visit - her first official visit to the country. View: Photos of Helen Clark's visit to Moldova Watch: Videos of the Administrator's visit

Moldova Must Act Now to Adapt to Changing Climate New Report Says

Chişinău, Moldova, December 2009-Most aspects of Moldovan life and the Moldovan economy are likely to change for the worse due to global climate change if no actions are taken, a new United Nations Development Programme report predicts. The Report, the 2009/2010 National Human Development Report “Climate Change in Moldova: Socio-Economic Impact and Policy Options for Adaptation,” says a 2007 drought that caused  $1 billion (US) in losses in Moldova foreshadows the future for Moldova given current climate change trends. With this in mind, the Report stresses immediate action, noting that “Climate change is global, but its effects are local." View: 2007 Drought in Moldova

Human Rights Hotline Records 92 Cases

Chişinău, Moldova, 29 September 2009-Recently, police in Moldova arrested a young man. According to the youth, after interrogation without a lawyer or other advocate present, police then beat him until he was unconscious. The youth said he awoke the next day in the street with a fractured rib. His mother said she sought answers from the police but was instead fined 200 lei “for not keeping any eye on her son.”

Moldovan Migrants Look for New Opportunities Due to Global Crisis

Moscow, Russia, August 2009-Until recently, Moldovan Viaraka Tsaralunga worked with her sons at a lumber yard near St. Petersburg, Russia. Tough economic times, however, led to all foreign workers at the lumber yard being let go. Mrs. Tsaralunga and her sons, like many Moldovans working abroad, had to quickly find new options at a time of diminishing opportunities due to the global economic crisis.

New Telephone Hotline To Help With Torture Cases in Moldova

Chisnau, Moldova, July 2009-With allegations of election-related police brutality a hot topic in Moldova, a new hotline service for torture cases is in place just ahead of new elections. The telephone hotline at the Centre for Human Rights enables torture victims and witnesses to anonymously report incidents and receive free legal advice.

Кризис и социальная мобилизация в государствах переходного периода

Ольга Онук                                        English/Aнглийский 

Июль 2009 - Глобальный экономический кризис породил множество прогнозов относительно возможного всплеска общественного недовольства в странах Латинской Америки и Центральной и Восточной Европы (ЦВЕ). Однако устойчивой  массовой протестной мобилизации не наблюдается. По-видимому, такие явления имеют место только в тех случаях, когда экономические проблемы приобретают политический оттенок. В предыдущих исследованиях переходного и пост-переходного периода в этих двух регионах акцент делался на устойчивости протеста в Латинской Америке и высоком уровне терпеливости населения ЦВЕ. Однако со временем стало совершенно очевидно, что побудительные мотивы и модели протестной мобилизации в обоих регионах носят очень сходный характер. Эпизодические всплески массового недовольства в Латинской Америке возникают в тех случаях, когда общественность видит причину кризиса в плохом управлении или злоупотреблениях политиков. Такие же протесты сравнительно недавно прошли и в странах Центральной и Восточной Европы. Хотя устойчивый массовый протест отсутствует, в обоих регионах отмечалась  социальная активизация на местах, особенно во время нынешнего кризиса. Сравнение недавних антикризисных акций протеста в Латвии, Молдове, Грузии и Украине с аналогичными событиями в Мексике, Чили и Аргентине показывает, что экономические кризисы могут способствовать протестной социальной мобилизации или выполнять функцию «спускового механизма», но наиболее важную, определяющую роль здесь играют социально-политические факторы (в совокупности именуемые «структурой политических возможностей»).

Crisis-related social mobilization in transition states

Olga Onuch                                                                   Русский/Russian 

July 2009 - The global economic crisis has produced many predictions of mass mobilization in both Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. Yet,  sustained mass mobilization has not materialized. Simply put, there are other political opportunity issues at stake when predicting mass-mobilization. Previous studies of transition and post-transition periods in the two regions have focused on the persistence of protest in the former and the perseverance of patience in the latter.  Yet, over time, it has become obvious that the motivations and patterns of mobilization in both regions have converged. When crises are understood to be propelled by political mismanagement, sporadic mass-protests occur in Latin America. Such protests have been replicated more recently in Central and Eastern Europe. Although there is an absence of sustained mass-protest, we have seen the emergence of localized grassroots engagement in both regions, especially during the recent economic crisis. A comparison of the recent crisis-related protests in Latvia, Moldova, Georgia, and Ukraine, with similar episodes in Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, shows that although economic crises can facilitate or trigger social mobilization ultimately it is socio-political factors (referred to as political opportunity structures) that are the most important determinants.

Striking Workers Just One Part of Crisis in Moldova

Cupcini, Moldova, June 2009-Life is not sweet at two sugar factories in Cupcini in northern Moldova. In Cupcini, more than 200 workers have blocked access to the factories. With work and income in Moldova hard to find, the workers are seeking compensation deferred by management last year. Until they get it, 5,000 tons of sugar sits in the factories waiting to be delivered.

Moldovan Election: "The Power is in Our Hands"

Chişinău, Republic of Moldova, April 2009- "On this day, and this day only, the power is in our hands," Corneliu Rosca said as he prepared to vote in Chişinău on Sunday. Rosca represents the new face of democracy in the Republic of Moldova as it seeks closer integration with the European Union. Video: Moldovan Student Votes Video: At the Polls

Anti-drug Programme Just the Beginning says Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine

Minsk, Belarus, March 2009-Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine vowed to continue cooperative drug-fighting efforts, at the close of a programme that brought those countries together in the fight against drug trafficking and drug addiction. Both illicit trafficking and drug abuse plague all three countries, and the problem could get worse with the current global economic downturn.

Moldovan Youth and Women Programme Earns Honors

Chişinău, Moldova, February 2009-More than 630 youths have gained jobs and more than 4,100 individuals vulnerable to human trafficking and poverty have been helped by an award-winning Moldovan program. The program assists Moldovans struggling with a variety of issues including unemployment and domestic violence.

Влияние миграции на гендерные роли в Молдове

Михаил Пелях                                       English/Английский

Декабрь 2007- Понимание системы распределения гендерных ролей внутри семьи играет первостепенную роль при выявлении гендерных аспектов различных стратегий, программ и проектов. Хотя может показаться, что гендерные роли не меняются со временем, их постоянство относительно; они могут существенно трансформироваться под влиянием более широких социальных перемен, внешних потрясений или изменений в структуре семьи. Примером подобных перемен может служить массовая трудовая миграция в Молдове, которая приводит к оттоку 30% рабочей силы за границу.

The Impact of Migration on Gender Roles in Moldova

Mihail Peleah                                           Russian/Русский

December 2007- Understanding the distribution of gender roles within families is crucial for identifying and addressing the gender dimensions of policies, programmes, and projects. While gender roles may seem constant over time, they are not carved in stone; they can change significantly with broader social developments, external shocks, or changes in family structures. Moldova’s massive labour migration, which has pushed some 30 percent of the labour force into working abroad, could constitute such a change.