Repository of Practices
Primary GCM Objectives
GCM Guiding Principles*
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Dates
Type of practice
Summary
Almost one quarter of Moldovans do not live in Moldova. For some time now, it has been difficult to find well-paid work in Moldova. Most of the good jobs available are concentrated in the cities, resulting in significant migration out of the country’s rural areas. Nationwide, unemployment rates have been surging, especially among youth. Many Moldovans, especially young Moldovans, have thus left the country entirely, and many of their loved ones are dependent on the remittances they send home. These remittance flows made up a full 15 per cent of the country’s GDP in 2020, making Moldova the most remittance-reliant country in Europe. But for many who live in remote areas, accessing these remittance transfers is not easy. Most of the formal access points are concentrated in big cities, and those who live and work in the countryside – especially those involved in agriculture – often cannot afford to take enough time off work to access them. In light of these challenges, IFAD’s Near East, North Africa and Europe (NEN) Division and its Financing Facility for Remittances, in partnership with Moldova’s National Commission for Financial Markets, have begun a project designed to strengthen the country’s Savings and Credit Associations (SCAs) so that they can manage remittance transfers. For over 20 years, SCAs have been Moldova’s main network of local grassroots financial service providers. They are well distributed throughout the country, and in some rural areas are the only financial service providers available. Because of their long history and localized nature, SCAs are considered trustworthy. The project was designed to complement the ongoing IFAD-financed Rural Resilience Project (RRP) active in the area, an effort to provide credit for small and medium enterprises and youth entrepreneurs. It expects that enabling SCAs to process international remittance transfers will enhance the competition among existing service providers and give rural families a reliable alternative to formal access points, such as the cash-based money transfer operators. It also hopes that channelling remittances through localized financial institutions like the SCAs, which can offer services tailored to the specific rural populations they serve, will inspire participants to save some of the money they receive and use it for income-generating activities and longer-term investments. Linking remittances with affordable financial services in this way should allow development activities in the area to reach an even greater potential.
Organizations
Main Implementing Organization(s)
Partner/Donor Organizations
Benefit and Impact
The positive effects of this project will continue beyond its completion, as the SCAs are vital part of the rural communities and are now empowered to reap the results of having such tools.
Key Lessons
The project relied on strong and committed partners, and the will to work towards a common goal: to provide remittances in rural areas, unlocking opportunities for rural communities. To date, the National Commission for Financial Markets (NCFM) of the Republic of Moldova remains a great partner of IFAD's, and we share their story when we have the opportunity. Lastly, at the eGFRID organized by IFAD on 26 January.
Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)
- Know the target community and become entrusted
- Rely on local institutions who know the people
- Show the potential for mainstreaming and upscaling if the project is successful
Innovation
There are about 230 SCAs throughout Moldova, 64 of which are able to process deposits for 86 per cent of the entire SCA network’s assets. Out of these, 35 SCAs were selected to pilot this initiative. The project then helped qualifying SCAs become licensed as official remittance transfer agents by the National Bank of Moldova.
On the International Day of Family Remittances (16 June 2020), the project reached its first milestone: the first international transfer was successfully channelled through an SCA. Vangheli Ludmila, a schoolteacher in the rural northern town of Ștefănești, received a transfer from her son Mihai, who works in the United States as a truck driver.
With international remittance transfers under way, the project plans to help all 35 participating SCAs adapt their existing credit and savings products to the needs of remittance recipients. They hope to focus their efforts on products for young people, particularly returning migrants and their families, as they are the most likely customers to apply for financing to launch a new venture.
In total, the project is expected to benefit 4,000 new remittance users and to see savings account balances increase by 10 per cent annually. This would help these families feel more included in local and regional economies – and help increase their incomes and improve their day-to-day lives.
The project is scalable, to include more SCAs throughout the country, and can include additional rural areas of Moldova. This practice is also sustainable, as the project empowered SCAs which have acquired resources and tool to receive remittances in addition to the more traditional services. This goes beyond the project lifeline and ensures uptake by the partner institutions and beneficiaries.
Assessment on eligible SCAs for the pilot initiative was performed remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, the survey on Moldovan households was carried out virtually. However, results were drawn and the pilot phase was successfully launched despite the global situation.
Additional Resources
Media
Date submitted:
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).