On 7 December 2023, the digital platform www.avahelp.md was launched - an innovative virtual space for women to cultivate skills, develop values and take action.
The mission of the platform is to create a bridge between Ukrainian refugee women and women from the Republic of Moldova, bringing them together in an innovative and safe digital community.
The www.avahelp.md platform was developed within the project ,,Women - leaders of today. Tomorrow's Peace", implemented by the Public Association ,,Help" from the Republic of Moldova, in partnership with the Association ,,Iovatrium" from Romania, with the support of UN Women Moldova and financed by the Women's Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Assistance.
The launch event was attended by representatives of state authorities and non-governmental organisations, more than 120 women beneficiaries of the project's leadership and entrepreneurship courses, partners and key actors in the process of economic and social integration of refugee women in the host country.
The opening of the event was honoured by the presence of Marina Morozova, member of the Parliamentary Committee "Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance", Tatiana Zatîc, Head of Section for Primary and Community Health Care Policy at the Ministry of Health, Jana Costachi, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Stela Braniște, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative.
The founder of the Public Association "Help", Viorica Țîmbalari, presented the opportunities offered by the platform www.avahelp.md.
"AVAHELP is a digital platform dedicated to women, focused on personal development, entrepreneurship and promoting social inclusion. Through it, we aim to provide educational resources, community support and networking opportunities for Ukrainian refugee women and women from the host community. In the AVA community we aim to provide access to specialized information and support services for all women who now need help to seek social, psychological, legal and anti-violence services," said Viorica Țîmbalari.
The event continued with Panel I “5 winning women in the Business Plan Competition", moderated by the president of the ,,Inovatrium" Association in Romania and Ilona Mihăieș, expert ,,Inovatrium". The panel was marked with a symbolic moment, where Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative in Moldova, awarded the grant certificates worth 3000 USD to the women: Alla Pozdnjakova, Vika Pisarenko, Evdochia Cristioglo, Chiosa Doina, Valentina Milashenko, participants of the entrepreneurship courses implemented by AO ,,Help" in partnership with the Association ,,Inovatrium" from Romania.
A memorable presence at the event was the TV presenter, Lilu Ojovan, who through her own success story in the field of green business, serves as an example of inspiration and motivation for women.
Panel II Panel II: "Leadership and community actions" was moderated by Eugenia Iurco, trainer of female leadership and personal branding. 5 women beneficiaries of the Leadership course participated in it: Margarita Tonu, Aliona Rusu, Iulia Chirtoka, Elena Danilova, Victoria Silța. This course stimulated the women's creativity and inspired them to generate impactful project ideas for their communities.
Afterwards, the women had a personal development training, moderated by Otilia Drăguțanu, the successful female entrepreneur who excels as an exceptional leader in our community. Through dedication, intelligence and a proactive approach, she has managed to build and run thriving businesses, she is a trusted and supportive figure for many women.
Within the framework of this project, the Public Association ,,Help" has proposed to establish collaboration agreements with governmental and non-governmental institutions, in order to exploit the platform www.avahelp.md and increase access to information, which will be adapted and disseminated in as accessible a format as possible so that it is understood and reaches as many women beneficiaries as possible.
Thus, until the completion of the project ,,Women - leaders of today. Tomorrow's Peace", the Public Association ,,Help" will sign cooperation agreements with the following institutions:
- National Agency for Employment
- General Inspectorate for Migration of the MAI
- Entrepreneurship Development Organisation
- Police Women's Association
- Association "Ukrainian Refugee Women Network - Female Support Force"
The event concluded with Panel 3: "The genuine needs of refugee women in Moldova." In this panel, refugee women from Ukraine brought into focus their genuine needs, urgent needs and challenges they face in the process of adapting to their new reality. The panel provided a platform for an open and constructive discussion between refugee women and representatives of the state authorities, with the responsibility to ensure their harmonious integration into Moldovan society.
Launch of the platform www.avahelp.md provided an opportunity for networking and exchange of experiences among participants, and conclusions were drawn in an informal way, highlighting the importance of continuing efforts to support women in business and leadership.
The "Help" non-profit association encourages all women to access the avahelp.md platform to benefit from useful resources that will help create a supportive, empathetic and united community of women.
The www.avahelp.md platform was developed by the Public Association ,,Help" from the Republic of Moldova in partnership with the ,,Inovatrium" Association from Romania, with the support of UN Women Moldova, and financed by the Women's Fund for Peace and Humanitarian Assistance.
