Press releases

The European Union (EU) is allocating €8 million in non-reimbursable funds to co-finance seven state entrepreneurship support programmes implemented by the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA). The EU's direct grant contract with ODA was signed at a press conference on 24 May. The expected results of the "EU for SMEs" project are to support at least 300 enterprises in their efforts to create, develop, expand or internationalise their businesses, of which at least 50% will be able to take advantage of new opportunities in sectors with high growth potential and 80% will cover rural areas. The European assistance project will be implemented by ODA from 2023-2026.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Digitisation Dumitru Alaiba thanked the EU for supporting the development of entrepreneurship in Moldova, the development of support infrastructure in the regions, the sustainability of business and supporting integration into the EU economic area.

"This funding will contribute to improving the investment climate, easier integration of people into the labour market and creating a favourable business environment for MSMEs. I would like to thank the European Union for its continued support for entrepreneurship in Moldova, for the development of support infrastructure in the regions and for supporting Moldova's integration into the European economic area. It is an honour for us to have such a close and fruitful cooperation with the European Union", said Dumitru Alaiba.

Janis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, noted that "Strong SMEs are key to Moldova's economic recovery and growth.

"EU for a Sustainable, Innovative, Green and Competitive Economy" (EU4SMEs) will support the creation of new companies, increase the competitiveness of domestic entrepreneurs, as well as promote the entrepreneurial culture in the Republic of Moldova. This is another considerable contribution of the EU to the economic development and welfare of the Moldovan people."

The "EU for SMEs" project of financial support worth €8 million supplements the state budget of 7 non-reimbursable funding programmes: PARE 1+2, Start for Youth, SME Greening Programme, Digital Transformation Programme, Upgrading and Energy Efficiency Programme, Women Entrepreneurship Support Programme and Rural Tourism Programme.

The Director of ODA, Dumitru Pîntea, gave a brief presentation of the main results expected from the European support for local entrepreneurship.

"EU support through co-financing of state programmes will double the number of companies supported, especially in rural areas, will allow increased investment in modernisation and implementation of European environmental and quality standards, attract foreign investment, increase business resilience and decrease migration flows from rural to urban or abroad. SMEs will become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly and, last but not least, it will boost the economic empowerment of young people and women."

The overall objective of the EU for SMEs project is to contribute to resilient, sustainable and inclusive economic development and to support the environmental transition in the Republic of Moldova. 

The specific objective of this action is to improve the investment climate, employability and a favourable business environment for SMEs, especially in rural areas.

ODA will ensure that at least 80% of the beneficiaries will be from these regions (practically the whole country except Chisinau).

At the same time, the development of rural tourism will be supported under the future Rural Tourism Programme, with a particular focus on promoting the sustainable economic model involving the development of rural areas.

The implementing institution will ensure that at least 30% of the total number of beneficiaries in all EU co-financed programmes will be managed by women.

Beneficiaries of European non-reimbursable funds will also have access to the necessary advisory services, entrepreneurship education and mentoring.

It is worth mentioning that during 2018-2021, ODA (ex-ODIMM) successfully implemented the EU-funded grant project worth €4 million for the capitalization of the national programmes "PARE 1+1", "Women in Business" and "Support Instrument for the Digitization of MSMEs". Following the implementation of the project "Support for SMEs in rural areas", 564 enterprises have benefited from direct grants, vouchers, training and free consultancy for the development of business plans, resulting in the creation of 1582 jobs. The EU funding has attracted a total investment of over €8 million in the national economy.

Video footage from the conference https://shorturl.at/cdOR2

For further details, contact ODA Marketing and Communication Section tel 068301339