Press releases

The creation and development of social enterprises in the Republic of Moldova will be supported by the state through a Funding and mentoring programme for Social Enterprises, to be implemented by Organisation for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium Enterprises (ODIMM). The initiative was presented by Director-General, Iulia Costin, during the topic workshop “Vision R. Moldova on the development of Social Entrepreneurship”, organised in online format by The ‘Voi Buildings’ Foundation Romania in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure of R. Moldova (MEI), the Organisation for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium Enterprises, GIZ Moldova, the R. Moldova Public Administration Academy and the Chernobîl’ Foundation.

New support instrument on which they work DSOSMEs jointly with the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure and Development Partners, aims to support development beyond 100 social enterprises, in particular from rural areas and employing around 30 % of people in vulnerable social groups. The initiative has a well-defined social purpose, a mission undertaken to generate beneficial impacts on people, the environment and the community.

’This will be a programme through which it is intended to create a more inclusive society, using business tools in tackling social problems. Social entrepreneurship is a predictable economic activity and source, which can directly contribute to increasing human dignity, and the new entrepreneurial support instrument will be part of a complex stage of developing the social economy and social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova”, stressed Iulia Costin.

Present at the event, Lilia Palii, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure stressed that in order to increase the level of interest for social entrepreneurship, the MEI is involved in the development and promotion of the new National Programme for the Development of Social Entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova, which will include an action plan for social entrepreneurial development in the years 2021-2025. The programme is in the process of finalising the proposals put forward by the line ministries.

‘Social entrepreneurship is the type of business, which aims not only to maximise profit but also to increase the well-being of society. The profit of social entrepreneurship enterprises is re-invested to support a social cause, identify new social needs, encourage inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, ensure employment and use alternative resources. We are sure that unifying and synchronising the actions of the Government of the Republic of Moldova and those of the development partners will help us to deliver great results in the development of a sustainable and inclusive economy, as well as a higher degree of social empowerment, entrepreneurs in particular, but also of society at large.’, said Lilia Palii.

Angela Closure, President of the Romanian Voi Foundation stated that Moldova is the first Eastern country with both specific legislation and a well-designed vision for the next 5 years on creating a favourable environment for the development of social entrepreneurship.

‘Social entrepreneurshipit is the new trend in the world to develop sustainable and sustainable business where no one is left behind. The Republic of Moldova has aligned with this European trend and has taken accelerated steps to develop the social entrepreneurship sector. The Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure assumed its role as the Ministry of the Line in charge of this field and prepared the National Social Entrepreneurship Development Programme 2021-2025. The designation of the IMMO for the implementation of the Funding & mentoring Programme for Social Enterprises will create the necessary infrastructure for investments to be carried out in the first phase of public funds, most likely in the future, to be complemented by EU funds as well.’.

The worshop was attended by representatives of public authorities, academia, social entrepreneurs and social economy professionals, providing suggestions and recommendations for shaping the new economic sector in the Republic of Moldova, which will contribute to the development of social entrepreneurship and friendous business with humans, environment and community.

Social entrepreneurship contributes to increasing social inclusion, creating jobs, involving people belonging to disadvantaged groups in economic activities and facilitating their access to social resources and services. In the Republic of Moldova, social entrepreneurship and social enterprise were recognised in 2017 through the adoption of Law No 223 of 2017 on amending and supplementing certain pieces of legislation. In 2018, the rules on the organisation and functioning of the National Commission for Social Entrepreneurship, as well as the list of types of activity constituting social entrepreneurship activities, were drawn up and approved. Currently, three social enterprises and 48 social entrepreneurship initiatives are registered in Moldova.

According to statistical data, the Social Economy in Europe covers over 14.5 million paid employees, equivalent to around 6.5 % of the working-age population, and around one in four enterprises created would be a social enterprise.