From Support to Systemic Solutions: NCUM and ANOFM Strengthen Cooperation on Employment

Chisinau, 5 November 2026. The National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM) and the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation on the employment integration of refugees from Ukraine and other vulnerable groups in Moldova.

The Memorandum provides a framework for more systematic cooperation between public employment services and the specialised support provided by NCUM. It builds on NCUM’s experience in supporting access to employment, including through ROBOTA, implemented with the support of UNHCR, and the subsequent development of this work through Dilo.md.

The partnership is intended to make access to employment services, career guidance, skills development opportunities and labour-market information more coordinated and accessible for people seeking employment.

A key area of cooperation will be the complementarity between ANOFM services and NCUM’s specialised support through Dilo.md. Depending on their needs, jobseekers will be able to access public employment services as well as specialised support in job search, career counselling, preparation for employment and engagement with employers.

The cooperation will also strengthen links between Dilo.md and angajat.md, the state employment platform, helping expand access to available job opportunities and relevant labour-market information.

Another important component of the partnership is engagement with employers and the promotion of more inclusive employment practices. NCUM will also support capacity building within ANOFM through regional training activities for employment service staff, focusing on inclusive approaches to working with refugees, employer engagement and practical tools that can support access to employment.

The partnership represents a further step in the development of NCUM’s work on the economic integration of refugees and other vulnerable groups. Through ROBOTA and Dilo.md, NCUM has built practical experience in employment counselling, job search support and engagement with employers. The Memorandum creates an opportunity to build on this experience through structured cooperation with Moldova’s public employment system.

For NCUM, the agreement marks an important step towards more sustainable cooperation between civil society, public institutions and the private sector. Bringing together public employment services, specialised civil-society expertise and employer engagement can contribute to a more coordinated and inclusive support system for refugees and others facing barriers to labour-market participation.

The Memorandum entered into force upon signature and provides a framework for cooperation under the ROBOTA/Dilo.md initiative until 31 December 2027, unless extended by mutual agreement.

The Memorandum was signed by Raisa Dogaru, Director General of ANOFM, and Dmitriy Lecarțev, Head of NCUM.

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