From Capacity Development to Impactful Investments: A Programme Turning Potential into Sustainable Growth

In an economy where agriculture and the agri-food sector remain among the key pillars of development, business success no longer depends solely on product quality. It is also shaped by entrepreneurs’ ability to plan strategically, invest wisely and respond to the demands of an increasingly competitive market. To address these realities, the Integrated Capacity Development and Investment Support Programme was created and is implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova under the project “Sustainable Agri-food Systems – Business”, funded by the European Union.

Beyond grants: investing in people and business decisions

One of the biggest challenges faced by many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-food sector is not a lack of ideas, but turning those ideas into viable and profitable investments. That is why the programme is based on a simple idea: sustainable results are generated by investments supported by strong skills, strategic planning and a clear understanding of the market.

Rather than providing financial support alone, the programme offers each enterprise a comprehensive development pathway. Beneficiaries start by strengthening their managerial and operational capacities, continue with the development of a business plan tailored to their objectives, and can subsequently access investment support to implement the solutions identified.

This approach transforms funding into a development tool rather than an end in itself.

A programme designed around entrepreneurs’ needs

The programme is being implemented through two selection calls. Under the first call, 22 MSMEs were selected, while the second call will result in an additional 28 enterprises being selected. Thus, by the end of the programme, 50 MSMEs will benefit from the Integrated Capacity Development and Investment Support Programme.

An analysis conducted before activities began with the first group of beneficiaries showed that most of the 22 MSMEs are already well-established businesses, with experience and clear development plans. Entrepreneurs highlighted that they need less theoretical information and more practical tools to help them make informed investment decisions, manage risks, optimise processes and identify new growth opportunities.

They also expressed interest in strategic planning, integration into value chains, market-oriented business development, and transforming business plans into real management tools rather than documents prepared solely for accessing funding.

“I learned about this opportunity through social media and decided to apply because the training courses cover highly relevant topics. I have not participated in this type of training recently, and it is important for me to gain knowledge that I can apply within the company. Risk identification and financial strategy are among the topics that interest me the most. I developed Biantti SRL from annual sales of 70,000 to approximately 200 million. We have land and growth potential, but without the necessary knowledge and skills, we will not be able to move forward. At this stage, it is essential to build and maintain a stable and professional team,” said entrepreneur Igor Golban.

A comprehensive development pathway

The programme is structured around five complementary components, covering the main stages of business development.

It starts with practical training, individual consulting and the development of a tailored business plan designed to provide a solid basis for future investments. This process is followed by the opportunity to access investment grants, while beneficiaries subsequently receive support for certifications and quality standards, branding and marketing development, as well as participation in trade fairs and business meetings that facilitate access to new markets.

Over the coming months, participating enterprises will work alongside experts to turn identified challenges into concrete solutions and well-founded investments. Of the 50 MSMEs participating in the programme, 30 will be selected, based on established criteria, to receive investment grants of up to EUR 20,000. The funding will support the modernisation of production and post-harvest processes, processing, storage, packaging, digitalisation and operational efficiency.

Impact goes beyond the investment

The expected results of the programme go beyond equipment modernisation or the implementation of individual investments. The ultimate goal is to develop businesses that are more competitive, resilient and better prepared to respond to economic and climate-related changes.

By strengthening entrepreneurial skills, adopting quality standards, developing strong brands and facilitating market access, MSMEs will be able to generate higher value-added products, diversify their commercial opportunities and reduce their dependence on intermediaries.

“When we talk about a programme designed to support the business environment, our first thought usually goes to funding. However, we wanted to start from a different perspective. We believe that investments with a long-term impact, which generate sustainable results, are those built on a solid foundation of skills, strategic planning and a good understanding of the business itself. That is why the programme focuses not only on access to financial resources, but also on developing entrepreneurs’ knowledge and skills, so that they can strengthen their businesses and make the most of development opportunities,” said Natalia Crețu, Programme Coordinator.

In the long term, the programme’s benefits will be reflected not only in the performance of participating enterprises, but also in the strengthening of the agri-food sector as a whole. More processing, more competitive products, better-prepared businesses and stronger integration into value chains will contribute to the development of the rural economy and increase the value of agri-food products from the Republic of Moldova.

The Integrated Capacity Development and Investment Support Programme demonstrates that sustainable development begins before the investment itself. When funding is accompanied by knowledge, consulting and a clear development strategy, MSMEs do not simply implement projects — they strengthen their capacity to grow, innovate and become more competitive in the long term.

The project “Sustainable Agri-food Systems – Business” is funded by the European Union and implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova, with the aim of supporting agri-food MSMEs by developing their capacities, facilitating investments and increasing their competitiveness. The project is part of the Team Europe Initiative “Sustainable Food Systems”, implemented in cooperation with the Czech Development Agency and the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre.