European Union supports youth entrepreneurship in Moldova through new grant initiative

The Republic of Moldova is set to witness a significant boost in youth entrepreneurship, thanks to the backing of the European Union. A newly initiated project titled “Empowerment of Youth Entrepreneurship in Moldova”, which is the brainchild of a consortium comprised of associations: Help-Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.V., DEMOS, HOMECARE, and Pro Cooperare Regionala, has a dual focus.

Firstly, is set to benefit at least 10 local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the North, Center, South, and Transnistria regions. Secondly, initiative is geared towards bolstering the entrepreneurial capacities of around 200 young Moldovans, through the tailor-made assistance and provision of needed impetus and opportunities to kick-start and cultivate their own businesses.

With the European Union’s substantial investment exceeding 2 million Euros, the project is poised not only to augment Moldova’s entrepreneurial ecosystem but also to fortify the role of civil society in the holistic development of communities. It emphasizes the deliverance of quality services to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

For the prospective beneficiaries, local CSOs, open call for proposals was launched in June 2023. The details of the call have been delineated, with an earmarked budget of EUR 600,000. Prospective CSOs can anticipate grants, contingent upon their strategic needs and the merit of their proposals, up to EUR 60,000. The deadline for submission was stipulated as 16 August 2023.

To ensure transparency and equip potential applicants with essential information, a series of structured informational sessions were conducted between July 5th and 7th across the targeted regions. These sessions detailed submission protocols, stringent selection criteria, and guidelines pertinent to the project’s funded actions.

This initiative seeks to capacitate local CSOs, enabling them to contribute robustly to the broader objectives of the project. The primary focus remains the systematic and supervised provision of support to young entrepreneurs and other segments of the populace in their income-generation pursuits.

By the set deadline, the call has garnered 41 applications, distributed as follows: 14 from the North, 17 from the Central, 9 from the South, and a singular proposal targeting all three regions. The evaluation phase is currently underway, with results anticipated in September, to be swiftly followed by the formalization of contracts.

This synergistic collaboration between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova is a testament to their shared vision of fostering economic dynamism and societal advancement, placing the youth at the forefront of this transformative journey.