Fairytale toys are crafted in Molovata Nouă, thanks to EU and UNDP support

The craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation made Maxim Alexei from the village of Molovata Nouă to open a workshop for crafting wooden toys. The folk craftsman teamed up with Irina Agafița, a marketing specialist. That’s how PINO toys were born. With the support of the European Union and UNDP, provided under the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, the entrepreneurs purchased modern equipment.

A car, a dozer and a crane – these were the first toys Maxim created, with which he relaunched his woodworking business. Since then, he has made hundreds of models, turning log woods into toys. He’s been doing this every day for more than 12 years.

For many years, Maxim crafted toys and displayed them at fairs where he was invited as a folk craftsman. He didn’t have a brand or a proper business until he met Irina Agafița.

Irina and Maxim’s collaboration, but not their friendship, came to a standstill when the pandemic hit, as Maxim had only sold his toys at events until then. The uncertainty made Maxim seriously consider settling in another country because he was unable to support his family. Irina then proposed to Maxim to launch an online shop where his toys could be displayed and sold. That’s how the PINO toy brand was born. 

Excited about the new beginning, Irina Agafița started looking for solutions. That’s how she participated in spring 2022 in the grant competition launched by the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP. The application was successful, and Irina and Maxim were awarded a grant of 15,000 euros, with which they bought the equipment needed to manufacture wooden toys. 

A CNC router and a wood planer were purchased from the grant. 

Maxim Alexei has always opted for a sustainable way of producing toys. The wood used in the production of the toys is bought from local people in and around Molovata Nouă. Maxim most often uses wood from fruit trees to give the toys a special texture. It’s also a way to reuse natural resources. 

Although he buys wood from locals, because of the war in Ukraine, the price of timber has increased. 

At the same time, Maxim stopped producing tank toys, although until then, it was one of the most popular and best-selling models. 

Maxim doesn’t have enough time to both make toys and participate in fairs. The folk craftsman is keen to expand his business and employ more people in the workshop. Having learned the woodworking trade from his father, Maxim now has no one to pass on his skills to, as his children are too young. The village youth, Maxim notes, are no longer interested in apprenticeship.