Chișinău, 1st November 2025 — The National Alliance YMCA of the Republic of Moldova is proud to announce that it has been awarded a new project funded by the European Commission, with a total value of 300,000 EUR for a duration of 24 months, under the program PACE – Programme for NGO Capacity Building and Youth Support.
YMCA Moldova is the lead beneficiary and coordinator of the international consortium composed of six reputable organizations from the Eastern Partnership region and the European Union:
- Junior Achievement Moldova
- YMCA Ukraine
- Junior Achievement Ukraine
- Junior Achievement Georgia
- Matrix Internet LTD (Ireland)
The PACE project aims to strengthen the capacity of youth organizations in Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia to develop scalable, high-impact programs that support young people affected by war, displacement, and social vulnerability. Through professional training, modern educational modules, mentoring, and direct youth engagement, the project seeks to create sustainable support ecosystems across the region.
Key activities of the project include:
- Conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of NGOs and young people in all three countries;
- Developing a robust training framework for youth organizations, covering topics such as leadership, trauma-informed inclusion, digital safety, employability, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, civic participation, and intercultural communication;
- Creating a regional digital platform for training resources, NGO collaboration, and youth engagement;
- Training 200 youth workers and more than 100 NGOs through Train-the-Trainer programs and practical instruction sessions;
- Implementing the PACE Youth Support Programme, reaching over 2000 young people—including displaced Ukrainian youth—through mentorship, participatory activities, digital education, career guidance, and employability workshops;
- Establishing a regional peer-learning network to facilitate knowledge sharing and long-term cooperation among NGOs;
- Developing a comprehensive final Toolkit for NGOs based on project results, best practices, and evaluation findings.
Statement by the President of YMCA Moldova
“This project is a major achievement not only for YMCA Moldova but for the entire youth sector in the region. We are honored to lead such a strong international consortium and to contribute to the creation of sustainable programs that will support thousands of young people affected by displacement. It is a significant responsibility and a clear sign of trust from the European Commission,” stated Dumitru Roibu, Executive President of YMCA Moldova.
Impact of the project
Through its implementation, PACE will help:
- strengthen the capacities of youth NGOs,
- expand services for vulnerable and displaced young people,
- improve employability and social inclusion,
- build a durable regional ecosystem of cooperation and support.
By leading this project, YMCA Moldova becomes a key regional actor, driving innovation, coordination, and development for youth organizations and communities affected by ongoing crises.
