Local Refugee Coordination Forum Meets in Cahul: Shared Priorities and Outlook for 2027

On 29 September 2026, another meeting of the Local Refugee Coordination Forum (LRCF) was held in Cahul, jointly organised by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Cahul Municipality and the Regional Centre for Community Development (CRDC), in their capacity as co-chairs of the Forum.

The meeting, held at the Community Services Centre in Cahul, brought together representatives of public institutions, civil society organisations and partners involved in supporting refugees, providing a platform for dialogue and coordination of joint efforts at the local level.

Transition towards a locally managed coordination mechanism

One of the main topics of the meeting was the transition towards new mechanisms for coordinating the refugee response, starting in 2027.

Discussions focused on the prospect of gradually transferring coordination responsibilities to local public authorities, enabling Cahul Municipality to assume a leading role in coordinating interventions and facilitating cooperation among institutions and organisations providing services to refugees.

This transition aims to ensure the continuity of cooperation mechanisms developed over recent years, strengthen institutional responsibility at the local level and more effectively integrate refugees' needs into community processes and existing public services.

In this context, participants emphasised the importance of a coordinated transition that builds on the experience gained by the Forum's partners and maintains the active involvement of civil society organisations.

Updates on refugee protection and partners' activities

The meeting agenda included updates on recent developments in refugee protection, information sharing on activities carried out by partners and discussions of current challenges.

Participants had the opportunity to share experiences, identify needs and discuss common priorities for the coming period, with particular emphasis on service continuity, access to information and support for social inclusion processes.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of ongoing communication among public authorities, non-governmental organisations and international partners to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure the efficient use of resources available within the community.

A partnership for continuity and inclusion

As a co-chair of the Local Refugee Coordination Forum, the Regional Centre for Community Development, alongside UNHCR and Cahul Municipality, contributes to facilitating interinstitutional dialogue, connecting partners and identifying joint solutions to the challenges faced by refugees and the host community.

For CRDC, its involvement in this mechanism reflects the organisation's commitment to inclusive community development and stronger cooperation between civil society and public authorities.

We believe that the transition towards local coordination should involve not only the transfer of responsibilities but also the preservation of cooperation, experience and support mechanisms developed together with partners over recent years.

We highly value our partnership with UNHCR, Cahul Municipality and all institutions and organisations participating in the Forum, and reaffirm our commitment to contributing to the continued development of a sustainable, participatory local coordination mechanism that responds to the needs of refugees and the wider community.