VIDEO // Government of Japan provides grant for renovation of social center in south Moldova through Kusanone programme

The government of Japan will finance the renovation of the Social Center in the southern town of Leova, under the Kusanone Grant Assistance for Human Security Programme. The grant contract, worth 45,538 dollars, was signed at an official ceremony today.

The project is implemented by the public association, Social Partnership, and aims to improve access for people from vulnerable groups to essential social assistance and protection services. The center’s renovation will allow the creation of safer and more comfortable conditions for the beneficiaries of social services.

The agreement signed is the fourth project approved in the Japanese fiscal year 2025 under the Kusanone programme, through which Japan provides support to local communities of Moldova.

The funds will be used for energy efficiency works and renovation of the exterior walls of the building, as well as for the modernization of other spaces of the social center. After the completion of the works, the institution will be able to provide improved services for elderly people, persons with disabilities, single-parent families with many children and victims of domestic violence.

The social center will provide beneficiaries with access to water, sanitation services, personal hygiene, a social laundry and hot meals, thus contributing to improving living conditions for people in difficulty.

Ambassador of Japan to Moldova Takeuchi Kazuyuki attended the signing ceremony and emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable people and promoting fundamental human rights.

“We are pleased to cooperate with the public association, Social Partnership, providing support to people in various vulnerable situations. We hope that this programme will have special significance for the residents of Leova, offering them prospects for a brighter future. The town of Leova is an excellent example of the amalgamation of local authorities, and we are happy that, as a result of this merger, an even larger number of people will be able to benefit from the services of the renovated center,” the Japanese diplomat said.

For her part, the administrator of the beneficiary organization, Svetlana Petica, noted that the project would have a direct impact on the local community and on people who need social support. “This project is, first of all, about people.

It focuses on the well-being of those who need support and on the welfare of the population of our community. The project to improve the energy efficiency of the building’s façade will allow us to expand the range of social services provided, offering beneficiaries a warm and safe environment,” said Svetlana Petica.

Present at the contract’s signing, Leova mayor Alexandru Bujorean expressed the community’s gratitude for the support provided by the Japanese partners.