The project "Capacities and Development II" is continuation of previous project from 2019. The aim is to strengthen further the professional capacities of the Center and selected partner organizations in Moldova and Ukraine. The goal is also to expand the financial base through fundraising mentoring and visibility building.

Project objectives:

• To strengthen the autonomy, expertise, cooperation and actionability of the new Ukrainian partner organisation, International Union of the Volunteers of Ukraine, and the Moldovan organisation Social Health Centre “St. Maria” Grigorauca
• To gain new experience and to strengthen the qualifications of the SHPaRS DCHOO employees

Project outputs:

• A theoretical-practical block for partnership development in Moldova and Ukraine
• Practical training of workers from partner organisations from Moldova and Ukraine in the Czech Republic
• Corresponding material and technical equipment of partner organisations in Ukraine and Moldova
• A study stay in Caritas Ukraine for the employees of SHPaRS
• Language skills of a SHPaRS employee
• A new database (db) of supported people in Ukraine and supporters in the Czech Republic
• Fundraising lectures to grow donor base of our projects
• PPC marketing to rise awareness

In general it applies that Moldova is the first and Ukraine the second poorest country in Europe. That is why we wanted to focus this project on strengthening the expertise with the partner organisations in these countries.

In recent years, Ukraine, where SHPaRS carries out its projects, has changed considerably, not only because of the war conflict in the east part of the country but also due to the political and price instability, poor social security, migration waves and overall uncertainty. The Ukrainian society is still heavily influenced by the era of socialism, corruption, non-functioning infrastructure, alcoholism and huge social differences. In general terms, the situation in Moldova is much the same.

The basis for effective foreign development cooperation is quality and sufficiently qualified partners. Last year's outputs pushed cooperation and capacities on both sides and at the same time opened up other areas that we can further improve thanks to the Capacities for Development II. Among other things, a request was made by the Ukrainian side (Caritas Mariupol), as well as by the organization which runs Home Care Center "St. Mary" in Moldova, to share know-how about Child sponsorship program and Dignified Life and management and functioning of Czech NGOs etc.

The project will contribute to increasing both our and our partners’ expertise in the necessary areas, and we will also pass on expertise to our partners so that together we can successfully create and carry out joint projects and contribute by at least one step to building a functioning civil society in Ukraine and Moldova.

Project implementation period: 1^st January 2020 – 31^st December 2020.

The “Capacities and Development II” project was supported in the framework of the Czech Republic’s Foreign Development Cooperation.