Over 80 Women Entrepreneurs Learned About Funding Opportunities for Women-Led Businesses

More than 80 women from various regions of the Republic of Moldova took part in a hands-on seminar on April 2 titled “Funding Sources for Women-Led Businesses,” organized within the SheLeads program.

Today, only about 33% of businesses in Moldova are founded and fully led by women. Among the main barriers they face are limited access to finance, persistent gender norms, and the burden of unpaid care work — women spend twice as much time on household and caregiving responsibilities compared to men.

Among the participants was Ana Bradu, one of the SheLeads beneficiaries and founder of Green Pack Moldova, a business offering sustainable packaging solutions, eco-friendly shopping, and home composting systems.

“For me, this event was very useful because the topic of funding sources was thoroughly explored — from grants and loans to dual education and hiring programs. Every participant, regardless of business size, could find at least one relevant opportunity. I learned about funding options tailored to my sector, which inspired me to keep developing my business,” Ana said.

The seminar was organized under the SheLeads program, implemented by the Association for Entrepreneurial Education and Development (AFAD) in consortium with Global Business Access, within the EVOLVE4GE project financed by the European Union and implemented by UN Women Moldova.

Mate Cikszai, Head of the Political Section at the EU Delegation to Moldova, emphasized the importance of closing gender gaps in entrepreneurship: “When we talk about women’s economic independence, both Moldova and EU countries face similar challenges. But Moldova also has unique barriers that require targeted interventions. Although the share of women in business is comparable to the EU — around one-third — Moldovan women face more obstacles in accessing loans and business support. Increasing the number of women in business and leadership can unlock Moldova’s economic and innovation potential, contributing to a more resilient, secure, and peaceful future.”

The SheLeads program, funded by the EU and implemented through the EVOLVE4GE project, provides women with practical tools, expert guidance, and tailored support to make strategic decisions when applying for funding.

“UN Women Moldova is working to ensure more women feel confident and have the skills they need to secure funding to grow their businesses. By investing in women entrepreneurs, we’re not only narrowing the gender gap but also unlocking economic potential that benefits society as a whole,” said Ivona Paunović-Biševac, EVOLVE4GE Project Manager at UN Women Moldova.

Andrii Hlevatskyi, Vice President of maib, spoke about the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs and dispelling myths around risk: “In banking, women are often perceived as a high-risk group. But based on my experience assessing financial risk, the opposite is true — women, both as individuals and legal entities, are more responsible when it comes to repayments and credit behavior.”

The seminar served as an interactive platform where representatives from 7 national and international organizations shared clear strategies and funding solutions tailored to women-led businesses.

Participants learned about:

• Funding programs from the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA);
• Investment opportunities in agriculture and IT under the OPTIM project, supported by the Swiss Government and Helvetas;
• Social entrepreneurship support via the East Europe Foundation (FEE);
• Alternative financing through GIZ Moldova;
• Grants and loans offered by UCIP IFAD, supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development;
• Digital solutions presented by ACETI.

Mariana Bostan-Madan, who has managed a children’s goods store in the Trușeni village for eight years, also attended: “For me, the most valuable part was networking. I didn’t just discover funding opportunities — I also met potential partners and mentors. It gave me new insights and the motivation to digitize parts of my business.”

Isai Spînu, Head of Operations at ODA, outlined grant programs for start-ups and growing women-led businesses: “Besides grants, women can also access low-interest loans through the government’s 373 program. The ‘FACEM Investment BGK’ product combines loans with a grant component focused on energy efficiency. There’s also a training program covering business management, strategic planning, digitalization, and more.”

Ana Țibulac, Deputy Director of the OPTIM project, described the grant eligibility criteria for the agri-food and IT sectors and the project’s support for digitalization: “To improve private sector competitiveness, we promote access to knowledge, technologies, and sustainable business models.”

East Europe Foundation (FEE) representatives talked about the role of social entrepreneurship in economic development: “We’ve supported 56 civil society organizations in launching or expanding social enterprises. We also created a special label to promote their goods and services,” shared Ana Curac, Program Director at FEE.

Ludmila Stihi, GIZ expert, explained how companies can partner with educational institutions and get reimbursed for up to 50% of training costs through ODA. “The Ministry of Education and the Chamber of Commerce can help businesses find the right training partners.”

Iurie Ușurelu, Director of UCIP IFAD, spoke about rural support initiatives: “In over 24 years of IFAD projects in Moldova, we’ve developed solutions ranging from irrigation infrastructure to support for youth and women-led rural start-ups.”

Ion Bodrug, President of ACETI, presented digital tools and shared how they help businesses access funding.

Svetlana Dolgoploia, Business Banking Sales Manager at maib, highlighted the bank’s financial services for women entrepreneurs: “We support women through financing, dedicated programs, and training aimed at increasing financial literacy and business sustainability.”

The seminar concluded with a networking session where participants exchanged ideas, built partnerships, and explored strategic collaborations.

The #SheLeads program, implemented by AFAD in partnership with Global Business Access and supported by the EU and UN Women Moldova, empowers women to launch and grow their businesses by providing the tools, guidance, and confidence they need.

Over the past three months, 45 women have completed the program’s first stage — gaining both business and personal development training. In the next phase, participants will receive one-on-one mentorship to develop their business plans.

By strengthening entrepreneurial skills and improving access to finance, #SheLeads contributes to the resilience of women-led businesses, supports local economic growth, and advances gender equality in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.