Germany will allocate Moldova a grant of €1.85 million to improve the energy efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises
This is provided for in the relevant grant agreement for the project “Strong Businesses and Communities for Moldova,” funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss government. The document was signed in Chisinau on February 18 between the Moldovan Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The total amount of non-repayable financial assistance allocated to Moldova will be €1.85 million, and at least 24 small and medium-sized enterprises in the country will receive grants of up to 1.5 million lei for investments in energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, or energy efficiency improvements. The project aims to reduce the vulnerability of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to energy shocks by supporting investments in energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources, and the modernization of production processes. ODA Director Vadim Codreanu emphasized the importance of investing in the energy efficiency of enterprises. “We know how much hard work, courage, and responsibility goes into every business. With this agreement, we want to instill confidence in entrepreneurs that investing in modernization and energy efficiency is the right step toward long-term stability and development,” he said. For his part, Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova, emphasized the importance of partnerships in the field of development. He stressed that supporting energy efficiency in the business environment is a key area of cooperation, and this initiative provides companies with the necessary resources for sustainable development. Karin Horhan, GIZ Program Manager in Moldova, confirmed GIZ's commitment to supporting the SME sector in Moldova. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to transform financial resources into concrete, effectively managed, and results-oriented investments in the SME sector. By working with the Entrepreneurship Development Organization, we ensure the transparent implementation of projects that support the modernization and energy efficiency of beneficiary enterprises,” she said. The total budget of the project is €3,681,800, of which €1.85 million is a GIZ grant and €1,831,800 is the contribution of entrepreneurs to investment projects. The process of co-financing companies will be carried out through the CREȘTEM IMM non-repayable financial support instrument for SME development, managed by ODA. Financial assistance per company can reach 50% of the cost of the investment project, contributing to increased energy efficiency and reduced emissions. Companies that have received technical support from GIZ to conduct an industrial energy audit can apply for funding through a special competition available on the ODA website. The project will be implemented until September 30. During this period, beneficiaries will be selected, investments will be made, and they will be monitored. // 18.02.2026 — InfoMarket.
