On Monday, August 4, authorities officially launched the 13th edition of the government program Diaspora Origins Return (DOR), a project dedicated to children and young people from the diaspora who maintain ties with the Republic of Moldova. For the first time, DOR will run in two sessions this year: August 4–13 and August 16–25, 2025.
Over ten days, participants will embark on a journey to explore the beauty and diversity of Moldova. Alongside this immersive experience, they will develop and refine their communication skills in Romanian through a dynamic mix of cultural, educational, and sports activities.
The program targets diaspora youth aged 12 to 17, who either originate from Moldova or are descendants of Moldovan citizens. DOR provides an opportunity for them to reconnect with their homeland, identity, and culture.
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Organizers selected 100 participants for the first session—80 from the diaspora across Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United States, and 20 from Moldova.
“For ten days, the children will engage in various creative, sports, and cultural activities. The agenda includes meetings with Moldovan officials, including President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, as well as artists, folk craftsmen, and creators,” announced the Bureau for Diaspora Relations.
The Bureau’s team welcomed the participants at the Government headquarters and later accompanied them to the Holercani guesthouse, where DOR trainers and volunteers greeted them with warm messages of welcome.
Launched in 2013, the DOR Program remains the first and only government initiative dedicated to reconnecting young diaspora generations with Moldova. To date, over 1,100 children have returned to participate in DOR, becoming true ambassadors of Moldova’s values and traditions in their families’ countries of residence.