On May 16 2017, finalist librarians and NGOs gathered at the orientation event for the Libraries and NGOs Collaborative Community Development Grants Program to discuss the development of sustainable library services contributing to the socio-economic well-being of Moldovan communities.
The event gathered 50 participants and provided a platform for informal discussions and opportunities to share comprehensive and ambitious project ideas in the fields of employment, economic development, civic engagement and empowerment of women and girls.
“This initiative is a great opportunity to create new partnerships that benefit both libraries and NGO representatives, but most of all – communities. We are confident that in the near future we will refer to you all as models in providing services that meet citizens’ needs,” pointed out Evan Tracz, Novateca Program Director.
To create more social and economic opportunities for citizens and enhance their professional skills, the Raion Public Library from Ungheni alongside seven public libraries from Sculeni, Macaresti, Petresti, Todiresti, Cornesti, Drujba, and Pirlita, and in cooperation with the ADDNET NGO launched the “Financial education for local communities” project. This initiative offers citizens eight different types of services and trainings in financial education, entrepreneurship and accounting, and improve their financial literacy.
“Our previous experience in working with libraries helped us to identify the financial education needs of communities,” mentioned Olga Terehovschi, ADDNET representative. “I believe this initiative will help us advance our goal to support access to financial literacy for citizens and extend our services to rural libraries.”
Representatives of the Municipal Library from Balti, Raion Libraries from Telenesti, Riscani, and Singerei and village libraries from Corlateni (raion Riscani), Limbenii Noi (raion Glodeni), Bahrinesti (raion Floresti) and Pelenia (raion Drochia) also stressed the importance of enhancing employment and entrepreneurship skills among women and youth. Their joint project “Perspectives and opportunities for women and youth” developed in partnership with the Honor and Rights of Contemporary Woman NGO aims to empower women and girls to achieve career success and develop leadership skills.
In today’s digital era, consumers have access to a lot more opportunities and educational resources, including specialized online courses. In this context, the “iCAN library service for a successful career” project implemented by the Regional Centers for Professional Excellence from Chisinau, Balti, Telenesti, Orhei, Causeni, Cahul and Ceadir-Lunga, in partnership with the Academy for Innovation and Change through Education will employ e-learning technology and opportunities to help library users acquire advanced digital skills for employment.
The National Library and the Library Association of Moldova joined forces with methodologists and library directors from various raions across the country to raise awareness about civic engagement and the importance of developing services for ethnic minorities. The project implemented together with the representatives from “Hristo Botev”, “I. Mangher”, “M. Ciachir”, and “Lesia Ukrainka” (Chisinau), branch no.1 (Soroca), the public libraries from Beleavinti and Bogdanesti (raion Briceni), and Stoianovca (raion Cantemir) focuses on developing librarians’ skills in project design, writing and management and support micro-grants initiatives that target ethnic minorities.
The Novateca Program congratulates all participants on their impressive proposals and hopes the projects will serve as great examples of collaborative partnerships between libraries and NGOs that contribute to the social well-being of communities.