Support for Local Entrepreneurship: 43 million lei in grants for 61 companies in the Republic of Moldova
The Government of the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, and the World Bank, through the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development under the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, have awarded 43 million lei in grants to 61 local companies. The total value of investments in the economy, generated by these funds, exceeds 96.3 million lei.
Among the supported companies, 48 receive funding from the state budget, 11 are backed by European Union funds, and one investment project is financed by the World Bank.
The grants are distributed through four programs managed by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA). Under the Technology Modernisation and Energy Efficiency Program, 44 companies will receive grants totalling 37.7 million lei, with estimated investments of 86.7 million lei in the national economy. These funds will be used for purchasing modern equipment and implementing sustainable energy solutions, such as installing photovoltaic panels and upgrading production lines.
Through the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Program, nine companies will benefit from grants totalling 4.16 million lei. The implementation of these investment projects is expected to generate a total investment of 7.73 million lei in the economy. The funded initiatives focus on business development in sectors such as milling, bakery and pastry production, medical assistance, and education.
Under the “Development of Entrepreneurial Capacities of the Moldovan Diaspora 2” Program (D.O.M.D.E. 2), seven companies in the fields of education, manufacturing, mental health, and tourism will receive grants totaling 688 thousand lei. These funds will facilitate estimated investments of 917.2 thousand lei. The program is financed by the European Union and implemented with the support of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the Migration Partnership Facility, in collaboration with ODA, Veneto Lavoro, and BRD.
One company has obtained financing through the Export Competitiveness and Internationalization of SMEs Program, amounting to 471.9 thousand lei, from World Bank funds. After implementing the investment project, the estimated contribution to the economy will be approximately 963 thousand lei.
During the event, Dumitru Alaiba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, emphasized the importance of this support for entrepreneurs:
“Entrepreneurs are the driving force of our economy, the ones who turn ideas into reality and directly contribute to the country’s progress. Today’s event is not just a celebration of your courage and determination, but also a confirmation that Moldova has visionary people ready to invest and build a better future here, at home.
Thank you for believing in Moldova, for investing here, creating jobs, and contributing to our economy’s development. The government, together with its partners, will continue to support entrepreneurs through financing programs, business-friendly policies, and measures that encourage innovation and economic growth,” stated Dumitru Alaiba.
Vadim Codreanu, Director of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development, highlighted the impact of these grants on the business environment:
“The year 2025 starts with promising opportunities for Moldovan entrepreneurs. Through these grants, the Government, the European Union, and the World Bank provide essential resources for modernization, technological upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements. We are confident that these investments will support the development of sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and significantly contributing to the national economy,” said Vadim Codreanu.
Throughout 2024, the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development facilitated grants for 595 companies, totaling over 250 million lei. Of this amount, nearly 179 million lei came from the state budget, while 54 million lei were provided by the European Union through the “EU for SMEs” project. The total value of investments in the economy reached 532.4 million lei.
Additionally, the World Bank, through the Export Competitiveness and Internationalization Program, supported 20 companies with nearly 8 million lei in funding.
Furthermore, under the Digital Innovation and Tech Startup Support Program, 20 companies received non-reimbursable grants totaling 8.5 million lei, with financial support from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, in partnership with the “Future Technologies” Project, funded by USAID, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
