World Vision strengthens local capacity in Moldova
As part of the “Local Capacity Strengthening for Improved Institutional Preparedness and Response in Moldova” project, supported by World Vision UK, World Vision conducted a two-day training in Chișinău, Moldova, on the Disaster Management Cycle and Cash & Voucher Programming, training local actors.
The training was facilitated by humanitarian specialist from World Vision’s Disaster Management Team Youssef Mhanna, Senior Technical Advisor in Cash/Voucher and Market-Based Programming for Middle East, Eastern Europe and West Africa.
The training convened a total of 19 participants, including staff members from World Vision in Moldova and representatives from eight local partner organizations such as HelpAge Moldova, Communitas, CRIC, Step by Step, FoodBank, Keystone Moldova, CCF, and Ave Copiii.
The best emergency response is one that begins long before disaster strikes — with strong local systems, empowered communities, and preparedness at every level.
This initiative aimed to enhance the technical expertise and institutional capacity of local actors, aligning with World Vision's strategy, to enable more efficient and effective emergency responses. "The best emergency response is one that begins long before disaster strikes — with strong local systems, empowered communities, and preparedness at every level," says acting CVP & Food Projects Manager/DEC Project Manager, Viorica Bulat.
The training integrated straightforward theoretical insights with practical tools, real-life examples, and interactive exercises to strengthen participants' skills and boost their confidence.
On the first day, participants studied the disaster cycle management - mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Through lively discussions and case studies, they explored key aspects of disaster preparedness. Topics included contingency planning, resource pre-positioning, capacity building, and response strategies. A major focus was on integrating Cash and Voucher Programming (CVP) as a flexible and dignified way to deliver aid quickly during crises.
On the second day, the training shifted to the technical and operational details of CVP. Participants learned about the entire project cycle – from needs assessments and market analysis to risk assessments and coordination. They also covered beneficiary targeting, distribution management, monitoring, and reporting.
Practical exercises and group work helped consolidate the learning, while participants also discussed real-life challenges, lessons learned, and best practices to be applied in future emergencies. Special attention was given to accountability, data management, and building community trust throughout the program cycle.
As a side note, the training topics were carefully selected based on a comprehensive pre-training survey conducted among World Vision’s local partners in Moldova. This approach ensured that the content directly addressed their identified needs and areas for improvement, allowing the training to be tailored effectively to support organizational development and capacity building.
During the training, theoretical blocks were alternated with practical cases and balanced with comments from the experience of local organizations. As Youssef knows the specifics of each partner's work, it helped to include relevant examples from our work in the context of the training.
Natalia Grecova, Project Manager from the NGO Communitas shares, “During the training, theoretical blocks were alternated with practical cases and balanced with comments from the experience of local organizations. As Youssef knows the specifics of each partner's work, it helped to include relevant examples from our work in the context of the training”.
This is a crucial step in strengthening local capacity for emergency preparedness and response, equipping participants with essential skills to implement cash-based interventions effectively.
The project “Local Capacity Strengthening for Improved Institutional Preparedness and Response in Moldova,” implemented by World Vision in consortium with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), exemplifies WV’s strong commitment to localization in Moldova and Ukraine.
“This is a crucial step in strengthening local capacity for emergency preparedness and response, equipping participants with essential skills to implement cash-based interventions effectively,” shares Youssef Mhanna. It empowers local organizations with the tools and skills necessary to build a resilient, responsive, and truly locally-led humanitarian system.
Story and photos by Adriana Apolschii, World Vision Moldova Operation Team