Developing a poultry business with the support of EU4Business

On the left bank of the Dniester River, poultry farming has long been part of everyday life. For Iurie Flerciuc, it is more than just a source of income — it is a family tradition he grew up with and learned directly from his father. However, turning this experience into a modern and competitive business required more than hard work: it demanded investment, planning and the courage to take the next step.

Iurie chose to continue his family’s activity in poultry farming. Having grown up in this environment, he understands both the challenges and the potential of the business.
“When you already know how things work, it is easier to move forward,” he explains. “All we needed to do was organise ourselves properly and invest wisely.”

The opportunity came when Iurie decided to formalise his plans and develop a business project. His idea — to double production by expanding the farm — received support from the European Union through the EU4Business initiative, under the Confidence Building Measures programme implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

A €20,000 EU4Business grant enabled Iurie to build a second poultry house and introduce modern digital equipment that automates key processes, including feeding, watering, ventilation and heating. This investment marked a turning point for the business, significantly reducing manual labour and increasing efficiency.

“The system is very modern and well designed,” Iurie explains.
“Everything works automatically — feeding, ventilation, heating. Technology does most of the work, and we can focus on quality and the welfare of the birds.”

The new facility can host around 15,000 birds brought from the right bank of the Dniester. Thanks to the controlled environment, some birds reach the optimal weight for processing in just 45 days. Despite the high level of automation, the farm has created two new jobs, contributing to local employment.

“We are still a small farm, but we already have loyal customers,” Iurie says proudly. “Our products are in high demand. Of course, agriculture also depends on external factors such as weather, but creating the right conditions for the birds makes a huge difference.”

Iurie is one of 20 entrepreneurs from both banks of the Dniester who received EU4Business support in 2024 to start or expand their businesses. In total, more than €529,000 has been invested to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises across the region.

Iurie’s experience reflects a broader effort to support SMEs on both banks of the Dniester. Through the EU4Business initiative, the European Union continues to help entrepreneurs modernise their businesses, create jobs and develop resilient local economies.

Since 2014, the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures programme, implemented by UNDP, has supported the development and competitiveness of more than 70 SMEs on both banks of the Dniester.