This EVS work placement implies to work with a large variety of NGOs and grassroots organization in Moldova and Transnistria to help develop and sustain synergy and cooperation between them, for a better development of local civil society.

Context:

ICCD completed the first phase of the “Activating civil society from the inside” project in early 2009, in cooperation with USAID . This project consisted in improving the access to information in Transnistria by informing of the population, NGOs and other interested about the existing NGOs in the region, their capacities and activities.

The project was divided into 3 stages: (1) a background research (need assessment) that identified the people’s needs from the civil society side; (2) production and distribution among people of a brochure that contains the information about the active NGOs and their services/capacities, and the results of the research; (3) organized a roundtable meeting with NGOs where have been reported the results of the research and have been discussed about what could be done to improve the access to information, and presentation of the web site as a new resource center that include all collected information about civil society in the region.

Role and tasks of the volunteer:

• To create a comprehensive computer-based/online database documenting the activities of civil society NGOs in Transnistria (and political organizations); technical help will be provided by ICCD, the EVS will be in charge of the content;

• To create of a permanent newsletter that will circulate between NGOs in Moldova and Transnistria.

• To promote partnership between grassroots organizations and to promote potential project partnerships.

• To work with mass media of Moldova to cast more light on the civil society of Moldova

• To update the resource website on civil society organizations in Moldova

On top of that, ICCD needs support from the EVS volunteer on other ongoing initiatives, like the set-up of the National European Volunteer Center of Moldova.

Expected results

• The volunteer will broaden its knowledge, work experience and understanding of civil society in Moldova

• Will develop communication and interpersonal skills from working with a wide range of partners

• Will develop computer skills by working with database and web site application

• Will gain project management skills by being associated to every stages of the program realization

• Will develop his/her writing and editing skills by being in charge of the publication of the newsletter

Location:

“Activating Moldovan civil society from the inside” will be implemented in Moldova in the following sites: Chisinau, Tiraspol, Kagul.

Practical arrangement:

Accommodation

During the first 2 weeks, all volunteers are to be accommodated in a recreation center in 2 rooms LaPopas (Dubossary region) with TV set and own bathroom.

After two weeks, all volunteers will be distributed in pairs to the 3 different communities. The volunteers will live either with host families or share a living location together. The living location will meet decent living standards (private room, free access to kitchen and bathroom, current cold water with the possibility of providing hot water at least one hour/day, functioning heating system, clean and secure location). ICCD in cooperation with each hosting community will make all efforts to find the best accommodation location for the volunteers. All accommodation and utility costs (water, gas, electricity) will be covered by ICCD.

Food

Buying and preparing the food is to be the sole responsibility of the volunteers. For preparing the food the volunteers will have free access to an equipped kitchen.

In the case of volunteers staying in host families a solution will be to serve meals with the family. The hosting organization will provide each volunteer with a monthly food allowance from which they shall cover the alimentation costs. The allowance is enough for insuring a very good living standard (being much higher than the amount and average citizen from the region spends for food). However the allowance will not be enough for ensuring every day eating in a restaurant or bistro or leading a luxurious life. 

Transport

The local transportation costs of the volunteers necessary for the activities implementation will be covered 100% by the association from the project budget.

The international transport of the volunteer from his/her home to the site of the project shall be covered 100% ‐ two ways (Economy flight tickets and/or 2nd class train tickets).

Other personal transport of the volunteers (local, national or international) will be not in the responsibility of the association. 

Language training

Due to the importance of communication with the people from the hosting communities (most of them cannot speak any foreign languages) will be of crucial importance for the volunteers to learn the Russian or Romanian language at a good speaking level. 

The volunteers will have the responsibility to attend all language courses according to the schedule as well as to make every effort in studying and learning the language.

The Russian/Romanian language lessons shall be provided by experienced language tutor. The content and structure of the language courses will be projected together with the volunteers, taking into consideration their learning abilities and needs. The language courses will be provided free of charge for the first two weeks on a daily basis and for 2 hours/week in their own community for the entire duration  of the EVS project; in the hosting communities private tuition language classes are delivered by a local school teacher to each team of volunteers. 

Pocket money:

Each volunteer is entitled to receive a 80 Euro monthly allowance – pocket money, which they can spent as they want. 

Recruitment

None but as the project focuses on civil society development, we expect the volunteers to have some interests in working with different NGO partners and Mass Media. Motivation and involvement are required!!!