Presentation of the results of the "Study on the situational analysis of social canteen services in the Republic of Moldova"

On March 10, during a press conference, the results of the "Study on the situational analysis of social canteen services in the Republic of Moldova" conducted at national level, with the financial support of the European Union, were presented.

The study carried out an overall analysis of the situation of social canteen services in the country, aiming both at the legal framework, the mapping of the services and the assessment of the degree of satisfaction of the beneficiaries.

The mapping showed that 93 social canteens operate in the Republic of Moldova, providing annual food services for around 16,000 people. 58% of the total number of beneficiaries of social canteens are elderly people, a fact that indicates an increased level of vulnerability among this age group. A limited territorial coverage at national level with social aid canteen services was revealed. Their distribution is uneven at rayon level, in 3 rayons there is no service, and most social canteen (CAS) services operate in Chișinău municipality (10 services).

Overall, a high level of satisfaction of beneficiaries of social canteen services was reported. However, they mentioned that the period of access to services (30 days once a quarter - a total of 120 days per year) is quite limited, which does not ensure their food security. Moreover, 83% of the beneficiaries consider that they need the CAS service for more than a year or permanently. By age category, 58% of CAS beneficiaries are elderly people, which indicates an increased level of vulnerability among this category. At the same time, most providers mentioned that they operate with insufficient budgets and encounter difficulties in identifying funding sources, while for 58% of CAS services the available budget partially covers their needs. The main source of funding for

60% of CAS services is money obtained through CSOs, and more than half of CAS services are financed or co-financed by local public authorities. It also reveals a significant involvement of citizens in the financing of CAS services covering 22 services. The study was carried out within the project "Partnerships for inclusive and sustainable social canteen services", financed by the European Union, co-financed and implemented by P.I. "Keystone Moldova", P.A. Concordia. Social Projects" and P.I.S.M. "Diaconia".

The full study can be accessed here: https://www.keystonemoldova.md/wpcontent/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/Study. pdf