When asked why he left Moldova in 2010, Vasile didn’t hesitate to answer, “Obviously for work.” The industry in Moldova offered him no long-term opportunities, and he needed to help support his parents.

Some friends had already left for Ireland, so Vasile followed them to Dublin. For two years, he found temporary construction jobs but never permanent employment. By 2012, he could not support himself. “There was no more work for me during that period.” He wanted to return to Moldova but he had no the means to do so. Finally Vasile contacted to the IOM and was able to return with its assistance.

Vasile’s parents were very happy to have him back. But he had a difficult time reintegrating because he still could not find a job. Vasile applied for a reintegration grant through IOM so that he could purchase his own tools for auto services. With them, Vasile could take on repair or washing jobs from local residents.

Valeria came to Ireland in 2009 with her three children to find work. She and her family stayed with friends until she found a job. Because of the economic crisis, Valeria had to change jobs several times in the three years she was in Ireland. Eventually she was unable to find work and could not support her children.

Valeria’s friends told her that IOM could assist her family in returning to Moldova. She made an appointment to talk to the staff in the Dublin office. Because she was especially vulnerable with three children and no work, Valeria was eligible to receive assistance with the costs of her travel.

After returning with her children, Valeria received assistance from her family until she applied for the reintegration grant. She used the grant for agriculture, hoping to sell produce in local markets and for use by her own family.

Tudor and Sylvia came to Ireland from Moldova in 2003, and stayed for nearly five years. Neither had a work permit but they hoped that they would be able to find enough work to give them a better quality of life. Unfortunately, after a few years, they were struggling to find work or access social services, and suffered incidents of discrimination that made them wish to return to Moldova. Because they could not afford to travel themselves, they approached IOM to ask for assistance in returning to Moldova.

Tudor and Sylvia talked with IOM staff about the return process, and learned that they could also apply for a reintegration grant to help them start a business. Once in Moldova, they decided to start a fruit farm and purchased agricultural equipment with the assistance.

Stefan came to Ireland in 2009 because he could not find work in Moldova. He and his wife had young children, and he hoped to make a better life for them. He came on his own to Ireland without a work permit, and stayed for six months. He almost immediately became vulnerable, as he could not find enough work in Ireland to secure his housing or basic necessities. He missed his family, and wanted to return to Moldova.

Stefan could not afford the travel back to Moldova. He heard from friends that IOM could assist him with the cost of the flight, and he called to ask for more information. He learned that his file would remain confidential until he allowed IOM to share his information with Irish immigration, so that they could procure his travel documents.
After Stefan returned, he applied for the reintegration grant with the IOM local office. He received farming equipment so that he could begin to work his land for agriculture. He also received assistance from his family to start the farm. Stefan reported after six months that the farm was slowly growing. It cannot yet support his family because there is too much competition from other, more well-established, farmers.

Radu left Moldova in 2006 and moved to Ireland “for a better job and more money.” For five years, he lived in Dublin and worked a variety of construction jobs. By 2012, however, he could not find enough work to support himself. He decided to return to Moldova.
Radu did not have enough money to return on his own. A friend told him to apply for assistance through IOM, so Radu made an appointment at the Dublin office. Radu returned to live with his parents and quickly found a job. “I had no difficulties when I returned. It is my home.” He received a reintegration grant and used the fund to start a farm.

In 2006, when Nicolae could not find a job in his home country of Moldova, he packed up his car and drove to Ireland to seek work opportunities. When he arrived, he began working in a restaurant. “I liked very much everything, especially the people,” he explained. He rented an apartment and lived in Dublin for three years, but did not have a work permit. After the economic crisis began, he lost his job and could not find another.

Nicolae approached IOM for help in getting back to Moldova, as he was worried about his lack of travel documents. IOM approached the Irish government on his behalf and procured travel papers to ensure Nicolae could exit the country. Nicolae also received housing assistance while he waited. He learned about the reintegration grant and decided to apply after he returned. He used the money to begin working as an independent builder. Nicolae is now saving money to open his own orchard in a few years.

In 2012, Lucian told IOM staff members, “I went to Ireland in search of a better life.” From 2006 – 2011, he had worked several jobs but never found stability. Because he was getting older, Lucian could no longer support himself with only temporary jobs in Ireland. He explained, “I was not so young for working abroad.” He decided to return to Moldova to receive support from his family.

Lucian applied for return assistance through IOM’s AVR programme. “I felt good about going home. Like I had nothing to worry about.” With the reintegration grant, Lucian built a small greenhouse on his family’s land where he could grow produce to sell at local markets. He explained that he chose to begin a greenhouse because, “Farming is what I am good at. There is always a demand for home-grown vegetables, and I will offer better quality.”

Luca and Ana came to Ireland from Moldova to apply for asylum in 2005. They lived in a direct provision centre for nearly three years while their application was considered. After Ana gave birth to their son, they realised that they needed family support, and decided that it would be best for them to move back to Moldova. They made an appointment with IOM Ireland to ask for assistance in returning.

Luca and Ana met with IOM staff in Dublin to plan their return, and were told that they could apply for a reintegration grant. They decided to start their own business in their hometown. Knowing that they had the opportunity to work for themselves made them feel more optimistic about their future in Moldova.

Ghenadie and Lilia left Moldova in 2008 to seek asylum in Ireland, in the hopes of finding a better future for their family. Their son was born a few months after they arrived, while they were living in an accommodation centre. “In my country you don’t have a big future…I was pregnant in the time I came to Ireland…and you want to find something in the future for our babies.”

During their two years in Ireland, the family lived in an accommodation centre and could not work because of their status as asylum seekers. Lilia explained that it was very hard to only be able to stay at home, especially for Ghenadie. As a result of this difficulty and for other family reasons, they decided to return to Moldova while their application was still being processed. With the assistance of IOM Ireland, Ghenadie and Lilia were able to fly to Moldova through Budapest, where an IOM staff member met them in the airport to help them in transit. Once they arrived in Moldova, they were also met by IOM staff and family members.

In 2007, Iulian could not find work in Moldova and decided to move. He had friends in Ireland, so he joined them in Dublin. He had “very good impressions” of the city and was able to find a job immediately. After two years, however, it became more difficult to get hired. In 2012, he was unemployed for nearly six months. He had no way to support himself and was afraid for his security. Iulian decided to return to Moldova.

Before he returned, Iulian was worried about returning and “about everything in his life changing.” He approached IOM for assistance and received counselling to help him prepare for the adjustment to life in Moldova.