Ten women entrepreneurs were awarded vouchers totaling 500,000 lei by Efes Moldova under its social program “Prietenește pentru Femei” (“Friendly for Women”).

10 women entrepreneurs received business support worth 500,000 lei

26/09/2025

Ten women entrepreneurs were awarded vouchers totaling 500,000 lei by Efes Moldova under its social program “Prietenește pentru Femei” (“Friendly for Women”). The program beneficiaries run a variety of businesses — from education and community services to agriculture, gastronomy and healthy food production — contributing to the development of local communities.

This financial support complements training and mentorship delivered through the #SheLeads program, implemented by UN Women Moldova in partnership with the Association for Entrepreneurial Training and Development (AFAD) and Global Business Access, under the EU-funded EVOLVE4GE project.

“The grant will allow us to modernize enterprise processes, laying the foundations of a modern, sustainable infrastructure adapted to market needs. We expect a significant impact through job creation and by better using the produce from our orchard,” said one of the beneficiaries, Natalia Dumbravă, manager of SRL “FructeDorSucces” from Catranîc village, Fălești district, a company engaged in fruit processing and preservation.

Natalia is among the ten women entrepreneurs awarded financial vouchers totaling 500,000 lei. The support was provided by Efes Moldova through its social program “Prietenește pentru Femei” and complements the training and mentoring offered by #SheLeads, implemented by UN Women Moldova in partnership with AFAD and Global Business Access (GBA) under the EU-funded EVOLVE4GE project.

The financial vouchers are intended to help develop the women’s businesses — whether through equipment acquisition, production expansion, launching new products or services, or strengthening market positions.

The awarded entrepreneurs include:

Olga Carabulea — children’s educational services, SRL “INTELLECT-ART”, Edineț
Silvia Cristal — catering services, Cosăuți village, Soroca district
Silvia Rinja — English language courses, SRL “BRIHUNET ENGLISH”, Orhei
Natalia Calmiș — agriculture, G.T. “CALMIȘ NATALIA”, Pănășești village, Strășeni district
Lilia Bălănuță — property management and maintenance, SRL “HOUSE FLOOR”, Molești village, Ialoveni district
Tatiana Păduraru — dairy and cheese production, Roșietici Vechi, Florești district
Victoria Gulpe — granola production and sales, SRL “GRANOLEYA MIX”, Chișinău
Valentina Buhna — production of dehydrated snacks, SRL “FLAVORYA COM”, Vărzărești, Nisporeni district
Natalia Dumbravă — fruit processing and preservation, SRL “FRUCTEDOR-SUCCES”, Catranîc, Fălești district
Oxana Tomoianu — quail farming, sole proprietor, Baurci-Moldoveni, Cahul district

The beneficiaries were selected through a competitive and transparent process. At the voucher handover event, the participants presented plans on how they will use the financial support to increase their economic and social impact in their communities.

“With this grant I will launch two new courses for children — Technical Robotics and Digital Painting. This will allow me to increase participants from 50 to 70 and give more children the chance to discover modern education through play and creativity,” said Olga Carabulea, founder of SRL “Intelect Art” in Edineț.

Beyond the financial resources — an investment in the potential and courage of the women — the event also provided visibility for the entrepreneurs, highlighting their professional journeys and the inspiration they pass on to other women who wish to start or grow a business.

Alphan AKPECE, General Director of Efes Moldova, stressed at the opening the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs: “Through our ‘Friendly for Women’ project we share respect and support with all women in Moldova who chose to stay home, raise their children here and contribute to community development. Any woman who launches even a small business means a family kept at home, a potential workplace for another woman or man, a contribution, however modest, to the budget or community development and, not least, a step forward for the Republic of Moldova.”

Dominika STOJANOSKA, Country Representative, UN Women Moldova, highlighted the role of partnerships in amplifying economic empowerment efforts for women: “We deeply appreciate EFES’s commitment to promoting gender equality. This initiative is an example of how development partners and donors, in cooperation with the private sector, can join forces for greater impact. On one hand, with EU support, UN Women, in partnership with AFAD and GBA, provided training and mentoring. On the other hand, EFES complements this effort with financial resources to help women entrepreneurs take the next step toward financial independence.”

Evghenia HIORA, Programme Officer for Social Protection, Health and Gender Equality at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, noted: “This ceremony is not only about handing over vouchers — it celebrates courage, perseverance and dreams that take shape and become businesses. For the European Union, entrepreneurship is more than an economic driver: it is a form of freedom and a path to equality. Gender equality, including in the economic sphere, is a core principle for any country aspiring to European integration. Women-led businesses consistently reinvest more into families, communities and local economies. Supporting them is not only the right thing to do — it is smart.”

Ina BORDEIANU, Director of AFAD, reflecting on the results of the #SheLeads business support programme, said: “We are very proud of the progress of the participants in #SheLeads, who have shown great courage, initiative and a sincere desire to make a positive change in their communities. The grants they have received are clear proof that their work and potential are recognised and appreciated. We thank our donors for their generous support, which encourages us to continue supporting enterprising women. Together we are building a stronger, more united community where women can turn ideas into successful businesses.”

The “Prietenește pentru Femei” programme was developed by Efes Moldova in 2021 and aims to support women economically and socially. To date the programme has already supported 37 beneficiaries, and through partnership with UN Women Moldova and the EU-funded EVOLVE4GE project, the impact of these efforts is multiplied. Thus, the financial support from Efes Moldova is a valuable contribution that complements the knowledge and training provided by UN Women and facilitates turning women entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality. This support gives them the opportunity to grow their businesses, strengthen their financial independence and contribute to sustainable economic development in the country.