Global Journal of Human Social Science, F: Political Science, Volume 23 Issue 6

As the conducted research has shown, Moldovan diaspora institutions have their strengths and weaknesses. Among their strengths we can list their role as cultural and social mediators with the local community, as well as their ability to organize and mobilize people. Moreover, we can also mention the fact that the activity of Moldovan associations abroad is mainly relying on volunteers, who interact with migration services in the region and as well as various social actors. One of the more notable weaknesses is the reduced interest of Moldovan migrants towards the organizations’ activities. This was confirmed by our study: more than 90% of Moldovan migrants do not participate in the activity of Moldovan diaspora associations, in the host countries. Furthermore, compared to the 2016-2017 study (Turco, Svetlicinai, 2019), there was actually a decrease in the number of respondents that participated in Moldovan diaspora associations’ activities (from 9.5% in 2016-2017 to 5.3% in 2022-2023). If in 2016-2017 12.5% of the respondents considered themselves active members of Moldovan diaspora associations, the 2022-2023 survey has shown an almost three-fold decrease of this category of migrants (Table 2). In 2016-2017 approximately a third of the respondents indicated that they sometimes participate in diaspora organizations’ activities. After five years the number of migrants in this category decreased almost thrice. In 2016-2017 more than half of those surveyed indicated that they only follow the organizations’ events and news, but do not take active part in them. In 2022-2023 their number increased by almost 1.5 times. Table 2: Degree of migrant participation in Moldovan diaspora associations’ activities 2016-2017 survey 2022-2023 survey I am an active member of Moldovan diaspora organizations 12.5% 4.5% I sometimes participate in events organized by Moldova diaspora organizations 29.5% 10.4% I only observe the events and news of the organizations, but do not actively participate 58.0% 85.1% Source: Sociological research conducted by the authors in 2022-2023 According to the results of the 2016-2017 survey, the primary reasons for non-participation among Moldovan migrants in the activities of diaspora associations were: lack of interest (34%); unfamiliarity with Moldovan organizations in the region that they reside in (42%); the belief that “it doesn’t matter” (10%); other (13%). The 2022-2023 survey demonstrated the increase of two respondent groups: those that are not interested in participating, and those, who do not think it is important to participate. It can be assumed that this stems from the fact that Moldovan migrants expected Moldovan authorities to support these organizations, something that did not happen, causing disappointment among the migrants. At the same time there was a decrease in the number of Moldovan migrants that indicated ignorance of Moldovan organizations in their vicinity and а big workload or lack of time, etc. as their main reasons. Another weakness that can be listed is the issue of personnel and of association leaders’ professional training, as well as the lack of financial resources. Having limited financial capabilities, diaspora leaders are using various means to obtain financing for their projects: the look for sponsors among business representatives in the host countries, present their projects to Moldovan state institutions (Bureau for Diaspora Relations of the Republic of Moldova), seek financing with European bodies. However, as noted by diaspora representatives, thus far collaboration has been difficult (Mosneaga, 2017, p.122-123). Another weakness of the Moldovan diaspora is its division on the political, geopolitical, and confessional spectrums. The political division between Moldovan diaspora associations is tied to the fact that diaspora associations are often oriented toward different political powers in Moldova (Korobkov, 2018), and strive to obtain various political benefits from this. The division takes place along religious lines as well. We cannot ignore the fact that the church often follows its own interests. The division of the faithful into those that follow the Russian Orthodox Church and the Romanian Orthodox Church, the priests of which are at odds with each other, hurts the entire community abroad (Mosneaga, 2021b, p. 240). This is particularly sad when one takes into account the fact that Moldovan diaspora associations were often established within church parishes. Another key problem of diaspora functionality is tied to communication, and the inability to successfully utilize the existing communications channels: the Internet, social networks, the telephone, and the newspapers published by the diaspora. Communication must take place in several directions: firstly, between © 2023 Global Journals Volume XXIII Issue VI Version I 44 Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2023 ( ) F The Transformation of Moldovan Migrant Communities into the Moldovan Diaspora in the European Union: The Main Directions and Mechanisms