Press releases

2 April 2025, Chisinau — 80 Moldovan entrepreneurs participated in a practical workshop organised under Programme #SheLeads – we are increasing and developing women-led business dedicated to supporting female entrepreneurship.

The participants learned about the funding opportunities available through the programmes managed by ODA, with the financial support of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the development partners.

During the session, ISAE Spinu, Head of the Directorate for Operations ODA, presented the women’s pre-deployment or development grants programmes. He mentioned that ODA comprises a variety of support instruments for women, including Female Entrepreneurship Support Programmebut also mechanisms that facilitate access to credit on advantageous terms.

‘In addition to non-repayable financing programmes, business women can benefit from loans on favourable and predictable terms through the ‘Government Programme 373’. Also the financing product ‘Sustainable BGK’ allows access to advantageous credits with an energy efficiency grant component“said ISAE Spinu.

The session also brought to the fore the importance of technologies, innovation and digitalisation as key factors for the development of women-led business. Discussions also highlighted the need to strengthen market competitiveness and export orientation as strategic steps for sustainable growth and international business expansion.

In the context, ISAE Spinu encouraged entrepreneurs interested in enlargement to external markets to apply to Programme to increase the competitiveness of local producers and integration into value chainsproviding non-repayable financing of up to lei 2 million.

‘Through this programme, entrepreneurs can benefit from financial support for implementing engineering and IT solutions, applying international standards, carrying out laboratory testing and obtaining the necessary certifications. They can also access funds for marketing advisory services, intellectual property protection measures, the acquisition of licences, and participation in B2B events.”, explained ISAE Spinu.

The Head of the ODA Operations Directorate underlined that the programme also included an educational component, which provides training sessions in key areas for business development, such as management, strategic planning, marketing, digitalisation, quality management, logistics and finance.

Over the last four years, 1030 entrepreneurs have developed their business, with grants totalling lei 338.4 million.
Another 580 women who run business, obtained guarantees issued by the Credit Guarantee Fund totalling lei 551.6 million.
In addition, 165 entrepreneurs accessed appropriations through the programme 373, with funding of RON 600 million for business development and job creation, and 7200 women chose to develop professional and staff through ODA training courses, acquiring new business skills.

For more details on the entrepreneurial support programmes, www.oda.md or call the Consultation Centre. Tel: 022 22 57 99.

Programme #SheLeads is carried out by the Enterprise Training and Development Association (AFAD), in consortium with Global Business Access, as part of the EVOLVE4GE project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women Moldova.