Bălți joins the Cities of Solidarity Initiative to promote refugee inclusion
Bălți joins the Cities of Solidarity Initiative to promote refugee inclusion
Bălți, 24 April 2025 – The Municipality of Bălți is taking a significant step towards building inclusive and resilient communities by joining the Cities of Solidarity initiative — a global effort led by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support refugee protection and inclusion at the local level. A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Municipality of Bălți and UNHCR in the Republic of Moldova, formalising a shared commitment to work together for the inclusion of displaced persons in the city.
“The people of Bălți have demonstrated remarkable solidarity and compassion, opening their city to those forced to flee and providing them with a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Mayor Alexandr Petkov. “Today’s agreement between the Municipality of Bălți and UNHCR in the Republic of Moldova strengthens our commitment to building a community where everyone is welcome, valued, and supported.”
UNHCR has advanced localization by deepening engagement with national and community-based organizations, promoting data-driven approaches, and prioritizing responses led by those closest to affected populations. In Moldova, these efforts have significantly expanded participation, with national partners now representing 56% of all Refugee Response Plan actors. In 2024 alone, UNHCR Moldova provided targeted capacity-building support to 40 local civil society organizations, funded 23 Community Support Initiatives across the country, and awarded multiple grants for grassroots projects directly benefiting refugees and host communities. This strategic emphasis on localization and evidence-based decision-making now forms the foundation upon which Bălți joins the Cities of Solidarity initiative.
“Bălți’s leadership highlights the essential role local authorities play in promoting peaceful coexistence, governance, and equal access to services for all residents,” said Anne-Marie Deutschlander, UNHCR Moldova Representative. “While the Memorandum of Cooperation is signed with the municipality, the Cities of Solidarity is an strategic investment in local leadership, envisions participatory spaces for dialogue and joint problem-solving — bringing together local authorities, civil society, international partners, and community members to identify needs and co-create solutions that benefit everyone.”
“Responding to Ukranian refugees’ needs in Moldova is a top priority for Norway. We also emphasize the needs of vulnerable Moldovan households and Moldovan host communities. Visiting Bălți, meeting the city’s leadership and other UNCHR partners is rewarding and necessary to get impressions from projects Norway is supporting. We commend the local leadership” said H.E. Kamilla H. Kolshus, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Norwegian Embassy Office in Chișinău.
In Bălți, this commitment was further reflected in the municipality’s efforts to open dialogue with NGOs and community partners. The Cities of Solidarity platform provides an opportunity to build trust and shared ownership through open engagement with all sectors of society.
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation builds upon ongoing local efforts supported by UNHCR and partners that have been instrumental in advancing refugee inclusion, community development, and social cohesion initiatives in Bălți. These efforts have been made possible in part thanks to support from the Government of Norway and other international partners.
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation was followed by two other important events. First, the Peaceful Coexistence Project was inaugurated at the Public Sports Specialized School No.1, with a tour of the Academy, an opening ceremony, and a ribbon-cutting to officially launch the project promoting inclusion through sport. Later, a new Community Service Center (CSC) — the 8th of its kind across Moldova — opened its doors, marked by an official ceremony and a tour of the Center, showcasing the services and support now available to refugees and residents alike.
During the event, Mayor Alexandr Petkov expressed gratitude for the continued support provided not only to refugees, but to the host community as well, underlining the importance of inclusive support that strengthens social cohesion.
Bălți now formally joins Chișinău, Căușeni, Ungheni, Otaci, Cahul, and Comrat as part of the Cities of Solidarity initiative, which empowers municipalities and civil society to lead inclusive, locally driven responses for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and host communities, while aligning efforts with national development priorities.
By reinforcing inclusive governance at the local level, the initiative ensures that no one—and nowhere—is left behind, strengthening Moldova’s comprehensive response to displacement.
For more information, please contact:
Monica Vazquez
+373 609 44 339