Irene Rohringer, Advisor for Organisational Development

Photo: Marin Strechie, Irene Rohringer, and Ion Copeac

The advisory is carried out in cooperation with our member organisation Archdiocese Vienna.

Supporting the children's project team in developing practical tools to support disadvantaged children, to work with alcoholic parents and to prevent child removal, especially in rural areas.

Directly involved are 51 people (39 female and 12 male), indirectly involved are 1.200 people (660 female and 540 male).

Irene Rohringer has many years of experience in social work in the Republic of Moldova. Before that she was employed in the Archdiocese of Vienna.

• The advisory assignment supports the further development of the family support programme 'Iubim Viata' within the Moldovan partner organization Fundatia Optima Fide. The advisor works closely with the team to improve structures and strengthen organizational capacities that foster the psychosocial and emotional well-being of children and their families. A strong focus lies on protecting children from trauma caused by poverty, neglect, domestic violence and substance abuse. To achieve this, the advisor guides the partner organization in strengthening interinstitutional cooperation with public and non-governmental actors, and in broadening its network of donors and sponsors both nationally and internationally.
• In close cooperation with Optima Fide staff, the assignment supports initiatives such as outreach to street-connected children and the provision of community-based learning groups for children in rural areas and Chisinau. The advisor also facilitates capacity development of women and mothers from these communities, who play a critical role in supporting and leading activities for families at risk. Through individual counselling and group-based workshops, the assignment contributes to raising awareness about women's dignity, non-violence, shared family responsibility, and access to social and state support services.
• Institutionally, the advisor assists in staff recruitment, organizational planning, donor engagement, and in building strategic alliances with care institutions, municipalities and other NGOs. Throughout, the advisor ensures that the empowerment of women and the protection of children remain central to all project components, and that local knowledge and capacities are continuously strengthened to promote sustained change.
• SDG targets: 1.3;3.4;4.2;5.1;5.2;16.2