A new venue with ample opportunities for youth: YMCA Moldova’s Community Resources & Development Centre launched on 2nd of May in Chisinau.
On 2nd of May, the YMCA Moldova Community Resources & Development Centre was launched in the capital city. This centre will provide services to young people as well as Ukrainian refugees. The opening of this new location was made possible with the support of the Chisinau City Hall, local and international partners: HP, Kerk in Actie, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, YMCA Europe and DAAC Hermes Group.
YMCA Moldova now boasts a new location – a modern space that offers young people and Ukrainian communities established in Moldova due to the war, numerous opportunities for personal and professional development.
The center is located in the historical center of Chisinau, Columna street 106, a historical building built between 1853-1854. Over time, the building hosted historical and political personalities such as Emperor Alexander II of Russia, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, and other famous names of European political and cultural life.
Alongside essential services like employment assistance and mental health support, the center will serve as a venue for a broad array of national and international youth programs, seminars, and collaborations, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for community engagement and empowerment, according to Dumitru Roibu, Executive President of YMCA Moldova:
- Training and workshops for youth and refugees;
- HP LIFE online personal development courses;
- HP Gaming Garage and eSports Academy;
- Podcast Studio for Youth;
- Digital Media Hub;
- Support for Ukrainian refugees;
- Social and interactive games for youth and children.
- Promoting Responsible Online Gaming
“It is a place that we have carefully prepared over the last six months. It is a YMCA Moldova initiative supported by the Chisinau City Hall and the DAAC Hermes Group, who are our main partners in the country, as well as other international partners, especially HP. This centre will provide integrated services for youth and Ukrainian refugees. Here we talk about several integrated services for personal and professional development.” mentioned Dumitru Roibu.
The new centre is a hub for innovation, featuring advanced facilities like the Digital Skilling and Gaming Lab, which have been realised through a significant partnership with HP Inc. This collaboration is highlighted by a generous donation from HP of over 5,300 new devices, a common initiative to promote digital equity and educational advancement among young people and marginalized communities, including Ukrainian refugees.
These efforts align closely with HP’s commitment to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. The introduction of the HP IDEA and HP Gaming Garage at the YMCA Centre showcases the potent synergy between YMCA and HP Inc. in driving community empowerment and harnessing technology for social good.
Present at the event, Ion Ceban, the Mayor of Chisinau, highlighted that the launch of the YMCA Moldova Community Resources & Development Centre marks a new and important stage in the development of the capital. “I am delighted that we have an extraordinary partnership. During this period, we have managed to equip many educational institutions in Chisinau with HP computers, laptops, and other equipment, which directly improves digital skills and the use of information technologies in various activities.”
Nicolae Pascaru, Board member of YMCA Moldova, noted that thanks to the organisation, several projects for youth have been implemented in Moldova, and the YMCA Moldova Community Resources & Development Centre will further consolidate this effort. YMCA continues to encourage the growth and development of young leaders: “This is a very important event because this centre will have the opportunity to bring together dozens and hundreds of young people from all over the country to prepare new leaders in youth projects and programs, to make them more involved, united, and responsible.”
The inauguration of the YMCA Moldova Community Resources & Development Centre was also made possible with the support of international partners from USA, Romania, the Netherlands, and Germany, who have highlighted the importance and beautiful results of the collaboration with YMCA Moldova.
“The partnership between YMCA Moldova and YMCA in general is very important for HP. HP has the mission of accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. And we cannot achieve this alone because it only works through collaboration. YMCA Moldova, by opening this centre, offers many opportunities for the youth here, and we are proud that HP is part of this wonderful thing,” mentioned Markus Schwertel, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy at HP Inc.
“We have been active in Moldova for over 10 years, and since 2022 we have been collaborating with YMCA Moldova. We work together with many young people, help the refugees who have come here. We support this organisation and are very grateful for this collaboration and will certainly develop it in the future,” said Dann Verbaan from Kerk in Actie (Netherlands).
“YMCA Romania has supported and continues to support projects and programs with and for youth. For us, it is important that programs aimed at young people are made together with them. Such projects are very important for everything that means the growth and development of the community, the harmonious growth of young people, and the impact for a better future,” stated Alina Pop, Executive Director of YMCA Romania.
“We are very happy to be partners with YMCA Moldova. We came here to support activities related to Ukrainian refugees, but we also work with the youth of Moldova. We are delighted with the work done and will continue this collaboration,” highlighted Susan Krehbiel from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (USA).
As YMCA Moldova continues to expand its outreach and enhance its facilities, the Community Resources & Development Centre stands as a testament to the power of collaborative partnerships and shared goals.
This new centre not only symbolizes a step forward in providing critical support and development opportunities to young people and refugees but also reinforces our commitment to fostering inclusive growth and community wellbeing. We are immensely grateful to our partners and supporters who have made this vision a reality, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts our combined efforts will bring to the communities we serve.