EU-supported project helps over 200 young people launch or expand businesses across Moldova
More than 200 young people across the Republic of Moldova have successfully launched or expanded their businesses through the project “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs in Moldova,” funded by the European Union.
After 40 months of implementation, the initiative has delivered concrete results for local economic development and strengthened entrepreneurial opportunities for young people in communities across the country.
The project was implemented between December 2022 and March 2026, with a total budget of EUR 2,503,202.94, including EUR 2,000,000 provided by the European Union.
Supporting youth entrepreneurship in Moldova
The initiative was designed as a response to major challenges faced by communities in the Republic of Moldova, including youth migration, declining economic opportunities in rural areas, and the high number of young people outside the labour market and education system.
By supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening civil society organisations, the project aimed to create real employment opportunities and stimulate economic development in local communities.
Strengthening organisations and supporting young entrepreneurs
The intervention combined two complementary approaches.
On the one hand, 10 civil society organisations from different regions of the country strengthened their institutional capacities, enabling them to implement economic support programmes, manage grant schemes and provide entrepreneurial mentoring.
On the other hand, the project provided direct support to young people with entrepreneurial initiatives, through in-kind grants, entrepreneurship and management training, vocational training and individualised mentoring.
Milka Djurdjevici, Project Manager, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe: „The project’s greatest achievement is the transformation of youth entrepreneurship into a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem, driven forward by empowered CSOs that now inspire, mentor, and mobilize young entrepreneurs across Moldova.”
Key results of the project
The results reflect the scale of the intervention at national level:
- 283 communities informed about the opportunities offered by the project;
- 647 young people applied for the entrepreneurship grant programme;
- 209 young entrepreneurs supported to launch or expand businesses;
- 232 jobs created in more than 120 localities.
The grant programme included:
- 123 grants of EUR 5,000;
- 44 grants of EUR 3,000;
- 42 grants of EUR 7,000.
The supported businesses operate in 23 economic sectors, including agriculture, production, services, IT and creative industries.
Developing entrepreneurial skills
In addition to financial support, the project placed strong emphasis on developing entrepreneurial competences:
- more than 2,250 mentoring and consultancy sessions were delivered;
- 203 young people participated in entrepreneurship training;
- 98 beneficiaries attended vocational training programmes relevant to their business sectors.
Promoting inclusion and equal opportunities
The initiative also promoted inclusion and equitable participation:
- 99% of beneficiaries were aged between 18 and 34;
- 113 women entrepreneurs and 96 men entrepreneurs participated in the programme;
- Over 35% of beneficiaries belong to vulnerable groups.
These results demonstrate the potential of entrepreneurship as a tool for social and economic inclusion.
Voices from the project
For many of the young people involved, the project meant more than financial support — it offered confidence and the opportunity to build a future in their own communities.
Elena Avricenco, entrepreneur and creator of a local brand, project beneficiary from Visoca village, Soroca district: „The support provided through this programme helped us transform an idea into a real business. We received the necessary equipment, as well as mentoring and training, which gave us the confidence that we can develop a sustainable business here at home.”
Strengthening local partnerships
The project’s impact goes beyond statistical results. Cooperation with local public authorities from 30 districts, regional branches of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and civil society organisations contributed to the creation of a functional support network for entrepreneurship across Moldova.
Sergiu Mihailov, Executive Director / Regional Project Manager, Pro Cooperare Regională: “Close collaboration with local authorities and relevant institutions enabled the rigorous identification of beneficiaries from vulnerable groups and the tailoring of support to the real needs of local communities, while also establishing a sustainable mechanism for the integration and monitoring of new businesses. To support local entrepreneurship, it is essential to maintain dialogue among CSOs, business
incubators and local public authorities, as well as to continue investing in professional training and digitalization for young entrepreneurs.”
Project partners
The project was implemented by Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V., in partnership with:
- Public Association DEMOS;
- Public Association Pro Cooperare Regională;
- Public Association HomeCare;
with financial support from the European Union.
Additional information
The final project brochure, presenting the results achieved and success stories of young entrepreneurs, is available online:
Contact:
Public Association DEMOS
Email: ngo.demos@gmail.com
Website: http://asociatiademos.wordpress.com
