BUDAPEST, Hungary (ILO News) – A group of representatives from donor countries to the ILO Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA), accompanied by Claire Harasty, Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe, visited some of the projects implemented in the Republic of Moldova with the support of these voluntary unearmarked funds. The RBSA delegation visited several ILO beneficiaries in the districts of Causeni and Cahul, who gained employment or managed to grow their businesses with the support from RBSA funding. 

Among these initiatives in Causeni, there is a Maternal Centre that helped 10 young mothers, victims of domestic violence or in vulnerable situations, to start their own businesses and become financially independent; and a furniture company that employed 11 young unemployed or inactive people with the help of ILO funds, giving them a real chance for labour market integration. Also in Causeni, a restaurant successfully expanded its business by opening a new pastry production hall, creating new jobs for chefs and pastry chefs. In Cahul, the mission members visited a textile factory that benefitted from the services of the local employment agency through the ILO project to find and train workers; a decorative items company that employed a long-term unemployed with disabilities and subsequently expanded further thanks to ILO mentorship and support.

With ILO support through RBSA funding, a restaurant successfully expanded its business by opening a new pastry production hall, creating new jobs for chefs and pastry chefs in Causeni, Moldova in 2024.

© ILO/Ion Buga

With ILO support through RBSA funding, a restaurant successfully expanded its business by opening a new pastry production hall, creating new jobs for chefs and pastry chefs in Causeni, Moldova in 2024.

RBSA representatives also held discussions with Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection. The Minister emphasized the importance and relevance of the ILO support to respond to Moldova’s labour market challenges and commended the progress achieved with ILO support in the adoption of the programme to fight undeclared work, the implementation of the National Programme for Alternative Childcare Services, as well as assisting with the reform of the National Employment Agency and the labour inspection system. 

Challenges and achievements were also discussed with the leadership of the National Confederation of Trade Unions and the National Confederation of Employers. With ILO’s support, these organisations have undergone significant transformation, expanding the range of services provided to their members. The most important results include the launch of the “Workers’ Rights” mobile application, a new E-learning platform, and increased institutional visibility. ILO technical support also contributed to the development of social dialogue at the local level through the territorial tripartite commissions for consultations and collective bargaining, the piloting of workplace day-care facilities and the launch of the first enterprise-based creche in Chisinau, and reducing the informal economy.  

The ILO will continue to support Moldova’s efforts in ensuring effective and constructive social  dialogue, assured Claire Harasty, Director of the ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe. This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting with the UN Country Team in Moldova when representatives from other UN agencies in Moldova shared perspectives on current and future collaborations with the ILO. The contributions of other donors, including the European Union and Switzerland, were highlighted, demonstrating the collective strength of international cooperation on the ground.  

“Sweden is a longstanding partner to the ILO, as job creation and improved working conditions is a key pathway out of poverty and for social cohesion. During the visit we have appreciated to see how the unearmarked funds from RBSA is used in an innovative and catalytic way, through for example demonstrating effects that enabled allocation from the national budget for active labour market measures, which is important to achieve sustained impact at country level”, stated Therese Andersson, Programme Specialist, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 

“For me, this RBSA field visit emphasizes the fundamental importance and the diversity of the ILO support for the Republic of Moldova. I think the flexibility of the RBSA funds and their unique concept enable customized measures that support the reforms initiated by the country and from the perspective of a donor country, this is a perfect match”, explained Erik Eggert, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations Office in Geneva. 

RBSA is a voluntary, flexible fund supported by contributions from ten countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Spain. In 2022-2023, the governments of these 10 countries contributed $31.6 million USD to the RBSA fund, supporting projects in 47 countries, including the Republic of Moldova. 

RBSA investments in Moldova have supported the priorities of the ILO Decent Work Country Programme, covering key areas like employment promotion, skills development, labour inspection, social dialogue, capacity building, and entrepreneurship, including green jobs for a just transition.