The four “Safe Spaces for Girls and Women” continue to change lives through economic empowerment initiatives. Their members – adolescent girls, young women, and women among refugees from Ukraine and host communities in the Republic of Moldova – are learning to use the sewing machines provided through the project, developing skills that can serve as the foundation for sustainable independence. For many of the participants, mastering the art of tailoring paves the way toward integration into the labor market.

Under the guidance of facilitators, they have learned to create finished products: eco-friendly bags, aprons, and cosmetic pouches, as well as decorative pillows. During practical sessions, special emphasis is placed on skills essential for daily life. Thus, the participants have learned techniques for repairing and altering clothes, which allows them to maintain their own wardrobes on their own, thereby saving money in the family budget.

The impact of these activities goes beyond the goal of equipping them with skills for independent living: interaction within the “Safe Spaces” community strengthens their self-confidence and provides the moral support needed to cope with the challenges they face, offering them a protective environment where they can grow together.

The Refugee Support Initiative project is being implemented by the PRO DIDACTICA Educational Center, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of the Humanitarian Response in the Republic of Moldova.