20 entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru river to launch or develop their businesses with EU and UNDP support

20 entrepreneurs from the security zone and the left bank of the Nistru river start of develop their businesses thanks to the financial support provided by the European Union through the Confidence Building Measures Programme implemented by UNDP.

The financial assistance provided totals over US$546,000 (EUR 529,639.4). The entrepreneurs selected through the competition will benefit from equipment, services, expertise, training and mentoring. This will contribute to the economic development of the region and create new job opportunities.

The selected businesses cover a various spectrum of areas such as: food, agriculture and livestock, educational services, industrial goods (textiles), HoReCa, entertainment services and others. 

Ecaterina Rusnac from Cocieri is one of the beneficiaries. She had long wanted to start her own business. The necessary equipment – a stone mill, where quality wholemeal flour will be produced – will soon be purchased. “Nowadays, start-up entrepreneurs need not only financial support, but also access to educational resources, mentoring and socializing with peers. Access to funding and expertise is critical to the growth and development of start-ups, including in the long term. It’s like a catalyst to grow,” says Ecaterina.

And if a stone mill for flour production is to be set up in Cocieri, then in Tiraspol, Ivan Cernîcenko will develop his bakery “Vanin hleb” (“Ivan’s Bread”). An additional production line will be created for a new type of bread, namely yeast-free or gluten-free bread. “Financial support can significantly help entrepreneurs to cover start-up costs such as equipment and marketing. Start-up entrepreneurs now need support in many forms: funding, training, access to resources – opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs and investors. These interventions will help create jobs and promote growth,” says Ivan.

Supporting beginner entrepreneurs and the business environment is part of a broader effort by the European Union and UNDP to build confidence and promote economic development on both sides of the Nistru. 

Since 2014, the EU Programme Confidence Building Measures implemented by UNDP has supported the development and increased the competitiveness of more than 70 SMEs on both banks of the Nistru River.