The European Union supports social entrepreneurship in Moldova

Cristian Voină, aged 31, has been working in the field of public catering since 2011. Over the years, he discovered his passion for this field, and in 2017, he established his own business. By 2019, he had opened a pizzeria in Cahul.

In 2024, Cristian received an EU grant for social entrepreneurship initiatives, which allowed him to equip his kitchen with modern equipment. As part of the social component of the grant, he decided to organise pizza-making masterclasses. These sessions primarily benefit children but are also open to adults and refugees.

The idea was inspired by his own son, who, fascinated by his father’s work, said, “Dad, I want to do it too!” This sparked Cristian’s desire to teach other children how to make pizza and enjoy the cooking process.

To date, ten masterclasses have been held. “During each session, we offer both paid and free options for vulnerable social groups, which helps us increase our visibility while filling us with positive emotions,” Cristian shared.

Cristian Voină aims to give everyone the chance to learn, experience, and enjoy the art of cooking, regardless of age or social status. A small fee is charged for the masterclasses; however, for children from a placement centre in Cahul municipality, the activity has been offered free of charge.The grant was awarded through the project “Promoting the Concept of Social Entrepreneurship in Cahul District”, funded by the European Union.