The EU has allocated 8 million euros in grants to co-finance 7 programs implemented in Moldova by the Organization for Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA).
As reported by ODA, at the recent Antreprenor Expo held at Moldexpo, financing programs aimed at various categories of beneficiaries were presented: PARE 1+2, “Start for Youth”, “Greening Program for Small and Medium Enterprises”, “Digital Transformation Program”, "Retechnology and Energy Efficiency Program", "Women's Entrepreneurship Support Program" and "Rural Tourism Program". The event was attended by ODA Deputy Director Nina Potinga, Program Director of the EU Delegation to Moldova Miroslav Božić, businessmen who developed their businesses thanks to grants received under these programs, as well as small entrepreneurs interested in receiving grant funding. Nina Potinga noted that entrepreneurs from Moldova found themselves in a period of protracted crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions it imposed. Then the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine presented entrepreneurs with a number of problems and challenges, with the most difficult situation for small and medium-sized enterprises. “We thank the European Union for the support provided in the development of entrepreneurship in Moldova. Funds of 8 million euros allocated by the EU will support at least 300 entrepreneurs in 2023-2026 in their efforts to create, develop, expand and internationalize their businesses,” said ODA Deputy Director. In turn, the program director of the EU Delegation to Moldova noted that cooperation began in 2018, with a project for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs and expanded to many programs to support small and medium-sized businesses. Miroslav Božić explained that the EU is co-financing these 7 programs in our country because they are part of the EU for SMEs project. “The main priorities of the EU are to achieve a developed and sustainable economy, and we know that Moldova is an EU candidate country and is interested in this aspect. And, of course, we pay great attention to young people and women to encourage them to become better entrepreneurs. Likewise, we also encourage people in rural areas to cooperate in the economic sphere and make the economy work. SMEs are at the heart of EU support for the private sector in Moldova. We support them not only through ODA programs, but also through other programs with other EU funding institutions that help entrepreneurs receive benefits, create and develop services,” said Miroslav Božić. As it was emphasized, in just 6 months since the launch of the “EU for SMEs” project, financed by the Government of Moldova and the European Union, 78 small and medium-sized entrepreneurs received grants totaling 1.6 million euros. 70% of them are residents of rural areas. In particular, 30 projects presented by young people (the “Start for Youth” program) and 21 enterprises founded by migrants or their relatives (the PARE program) were supported. 13 companies are digitalizing their businesses (Digital Transformation Program), 3 companies will introduce environmentally friendly best practices (SME Greening Program), and 11 companies will replace outdated equipment (Retech and Energy Efficiency Program). It should be noted that in 2018-2021 ODA (formerly ODIMM) successfully implemented an EU-funded grant project worth €4 million to capitalize the national programs “PARE 1+1”, “Women in Business” and “SME Digitalization Support Tool”. As a result of the implementation of the project “Support for small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas,” 564 enterprises received direct grants, vouchers, training and free consultations on developing business plans. As a result, 1,582 jobs were created. This EU funding has attracted investments worth more than €8 million into the national economy.// 29.11.2023 — InfoMarket
