YMCA Moldova has officially launched the PACE project – Promoting Access, Collaboration, and Empowerment for Ukrainian Youth, a programme funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+.
As coordinator of a consortium of six organisations from Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and Ireland, YMCA is positioning itself at the forefront of regional efforts to advance youth inclusion, resilience, and collaboration.
Held at the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), the launch brought together representatives of public institutions, academia, international partners, and civil society. The event underscored the growing need for structured support for Ukrainian young people facing prolonged instability and shifting social and educational environments.
Opening remarks were delivered by:
• Alexandru Stratan, Rector of ASEM, Academician, and President of Junior Achievement Moldova
• Sergiu Gurin, State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Research
• Dumitru Roibu, Executive Director, YMCA Moldova
Their contributions highlighted both the urgency and the collective responsibility of strengthening opportunities for skills development, civic participation, and personal growth among displaced Ukrainian youth.
The discussion panels gathered representatives of the project partners: Junior Achievement Moldova, Junior Achievement Ukraine, YMCA Ukraine, Junior Achievement Georgia, and Matrix Internet (Ireland) who provided diverse perspectives on youth needs across the region and the essential role of non-formal education in fostering inclusion and long-term empowerment.
The event was moderated by Ilia Peichev, a young Ukrainian who ensured that the voices and experiences of the community at the heart of the project remained central throughout the discussions.
Through PACE, YMCA reaffirms its strong commitment to supporting Ukrainian youth by creating adapted training programmes, expanding access to learning pathways, and building a robust network of youth organisations working together across borders. The project strengthens both the professional and personal capacities of young people, supports their integration in host communities, and encourages the exchange of resources and best practices within the region.
By leading this international consortium, YMCA Moldova contributes to shaping sustainable, collaborative solutions in youth inclusion, education, and active engagement, laying the groundwork for a more resilient generation equipped to navigate current and future challenges.
The PACE project is funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme and implemented by an international consortium coordinated by YMCA Moldova.
