Press releases
The government programme “Women in Business” started in the south of the country
27 women from southern Moldova who want to start their own business are taking part in business training courses. Schooling and guidance for future entrepreneurs in the business world is carried out under the Government’s Women in Business Programme, managed by the Organisation for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ODSME). The courses organised in the city of Cimișlia are attended by women from the district of Cimișlia, Cantemir, Basarabeasca and Cahul.In the first training module, future businesswomen will be trained and guided for 6 days by competent experts on the necessary steps to launch and develop a business. Participants will develop viable business models, draw up business plans and simulate real business development processes. They will also receive useful information on how to negotiate with financial institutions to access finance and investment.
“It is the first training group of this Programme. We are glad that women are active, open and motivated to explore business. Most future female entrepreneurs are highly educated and plan to start their own businesses in the first year after completing their training. The planned businesses concern the areas of production, service provision, agriculture, agri-tourism and crafts,’ says Eugenia Sîli, manager of the Women in Business pilot programme.
More than 300 women from across the country have been selected for participation in the first phase of this programme. Half of them are from the central region of the Republic of Moldova, including mild trees. Chisinau. Around 21 % of the women who will receive training are from the north of the country and 14 % from the south. At the same time, 3 per cent of the total number of women who have met the eligibility conditions for this stage of the Programme live in the districts on the left of Nistrului and UTA Gagauzia.
Phase 2 of the Women in Business pilot involves the component of small grants for women. After 
completion of the training programme, ODIMM will launch 3 calls for projects to select at least 100 projects eligible for funding. It is open to women who manage a business for up to 2 years. The maximum grant amount constitutes RON 165 thousand, of which RON 110 thousand will be channelled to carry out the investment itself, and RON 55 thousand are intended for the development of the business: research, consultancy and training.
completion of the training programme, ODIMM will launch 3 calls for projects to select at least 100 projects eligible for funding. It is open to women who manage a business for up to 2 years. The maximum grant amount constitutes RON 165 thousand, of which RON 110 thousand will be channelled to carry out the investment itself, and RON 55 thousand are intended for the development of the business: research, consultancy and training.For the implementation of Phase III of this Programme, companies will be selected, managed by women active in the market for more than 2 years, aiming at major investments to expand the market and promote exports. The maximum grant amount will be approximately RON 1.6 million. Most of this amount will be offered for equipment, machinery, modernisation and extension works. Financial resources will also be allocated for advisory support aimed at maximising the impact of investments.
In autumn 2016, the Government of the Republic of Moldova launched the Women in Business Pilot Programme, managed by the Organisation for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ODIMM). The implementation period of this Programme is 3 years, RON 51.5 million will be allocated from the state budget. This government initiative aims to promote economic and social ability in rural areas by reducing gender inequality, increasing and developing business, changing the perception of innovation, increasing access to modern resources, services and technologies. The programme is aimed at women planning to start or expand their businesses, especially in rural areas, and will support women entrepreneurs through 3 stages of business development.