NGO Interaction (Vzaimodeistvie)

The NGO Interaction is a Moldovan non-governmental organization active in the Transnistria region of the Republic of Moldova. We work to promote gender equality and fight trafficking in human beings, to encourage individuality, creativity and development of critical thinking skills of children, and to build civic society by facilitating cooperation between non-governmental organizations, initiative groups and other sectors of the society. Our organization’s name comes from “interaction” of individuals with society. Interaction was set up in July 2001 and officially registered on May, 06 2003. We develop our programs in response to the real needs of society and work with partner organizations to further our objectives. Our three main programs are: Center of social development We hold seminars and issue publications aimed at raising awareness of gender issues, women’s rights in family and society, and trafficking in human beings and domestic violence. We also provide social, psychological, and legal support for the victims of trafficking in human beings and domestic violence through the following programs: Youth-Leisure-Culture Our theatre and youth social volunteer network projects promote self-development and self-determination, and help youth to realize their rights. They are especially aimed at helping the children of large and/or needy families: Step by Step to a Steady Community Through seminars, workshops, counseling and facilitation, we promote the development of civic society on the left bank of the Nistru. We do so by bringing together representatives of NGOs, businesses, and the local government along with facilitating the work of organizations from other parts of Moldova that lack accreditation in Transnistria. 2. Relevant experience in in Gender Mainstreaming, Women’s Empowerment and Community Empowerment in Local Development (please, enumerate the activities from the last 5 years) Center of social development  The program “Prevention of trafficking in human beings and direct assistance for VoTs” started in 2004 with the support of IOM. For more than 5 years NGO Interaction has been operating in this field and providing psycho-social and legal assistance for more than 250 (potential) VoTs. The proactive approach of Interaction includes legal support and mentorship, seminars, small business grants and individual consultations for beneficiatires.  From 2009 NGO Interaction launched the Trust line for victims of domestic violence. Victims receive support in emergency cases and, after escaping their trafficking situation, in social reintegration and legal assistance. All of Interaction’s activities closely cooperate with local social NGOs and international actors.  In 2009 NGO Interaction established and equipped non-commercial Psychological assistance service in Grigoriopol for local beneficiaries. Project was successfully implemented with UNDP support and local department of health in Transnistria. Psychologists are from the local communities and they are under supervision and actively involved in all of activities organized by psychological network coordinated by Center “Lada”. Victims receive support in emergency cases and after escaping in social reintegration and legal assistance. Grigoriopol local psychological service was organically integrated in, and psychologists of this will be involved in this particular project activities as well.  From 2010, NGO Interaction has worked in the Grigoriopol and Camenca districts of Transnistria to Support vulnerable Transnistrian communities by assisting them to improve planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and service provision – UNDP- UNIFEM JILDP. Youth-Leisure-Culture  Volunteer network started in 2006. These volunteers are mainly involved in the distribution of information about safe migration and trafficking prevention and in promoting the hotlines by holding informational sessions, out-reach activities and small public initiatives. As part of this effort 2008 NGO Interaction and PMWLFE in 2008 established the social volunteer network M-Ligue which unites efforts of young people and social pedagogues in social field.  From 2003 NGO Interaction has been involved in civil society development and human rights defense. It has done so by consulting and assisting in registering NGOs, preparing documents for state organizations, conducting educational activities, international study visits, hosting round tables, and promoting rural development strategies including local economic development, project coordination and training issues - especially for women- NGO leaders. These Organizations have experience in collaborating with international organizations that are active in combatting human trafficking and domestic violence in the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, EU, USA.  In 2006 NGO Interaction in close cooperation with Foundation for Democracy Development in Rural Communities (FDRL, Poland) and PMWLFE in Gagauzia implemented the project “Local Academy on the Banks of the Dniestr River” addressed to the representatives of local administration units from Moldova, including Transnistria region. Providing seminars and study visits fo Poland for community representatives enabled them to improve strategic planning skills in an exchange environment. Step by Step to a Steady Community  NGO Interaction play a special role in implementation LPA projects supported by UNDP in Grigoriopol rayon in . Project management and financial security is insured during all the implementation of all these projects through counseling community groups.  The cooperation between six LPAs from Grigoriopol district and Kherson Oblast administration in Ukraine was established for experience exchange in social development with an accent on improving services and providing support to victims of trafficking and domestic violence in 2010. A five-day study visit was implemented via UNDP support as a follow up activity on the base successful Tender proposal.  From 2003 till 2010 NGO Interaction as a partner of Center has implemented community development programs, consulting, granting. In NGO Interaction implemented in, cooperation with CICO, the project supported by UNDP through its role in financial management and purchasing goods for local communities.  From 2009 NGO Interaction has helped in identifying NGO and representatives of local communities in Transnistria for IREX granting and educational programs. Trainers from NGO Interaction and Training-Center “Synergy” are active in a training program for adult group using improved, interactive methods elaborated by teams of IREX consultants.  For three years the Transnistria social partnership round tables have been monthly gathering more that 25 Transnistrian NGOs in close cooperation with Informational agency “Social aspect”. These regular meetings facilitate discussions among local governmental, NGOs and international organizations about challenges and constraints in social sector and necessary cooperative actions against it. Interaction has also added trainings for NGOs in in strategic planning, organizational development, and PR.  NGO Interaction in close cooperation with UNICEF and Transnistria health department implemented the project “Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses – to ensure and improve equal access for better medical services for children and families. The component “Child abandonment prevention” is an integrated part of activities and was implemented as a special short course for more than 380 physicians. As part of this program billboards in three of Transnistria’s districts were set up, and 25000 leaflets and 4500 parental guides were distributed among parents of children up to five years in cooperation with regional department of health Transnistria to attract attention of people to the children’s needs in parent care.  In 2010, NGO Interaction in close cooperation with UNICEF and the Transnistria department of justice started the juvenile justice base line study to raise public awareness about the risks of adjudicated children and the important role of parental child care and behavior formation through articles and radio programs. NGO Interaction was audited by independent auditing company in May 2010 and in January 2011. NGO Interaction manages a budget of around 150,000 – 200,000 USD on average per year.