The first Accelerator of Social Entrepreneurship in the Centre region was launched in Chișinău, with the financial support of the European Union

On 29 July 2022, with the financial support of the European Union, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova (CCI) launched the Social Business Accelerator, Centre region – a regional hub for supporting social entrepreneurship, which will contribute to economic growth and well-being of citizens and communities.

The Hub was opened through a grant of 45,000 EUR offered by the European Union, obtained through an open competition by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova.

„Social business is a business concept oriented towards solving problems in the society in which these businesses operate, a concept that is widely and successfully practiced in the member states of the European Union. Economic inclusion of young people and vulnerable people is one of the key benefits of social entrepreneurship. The European Union supports the launch and extension of the concept of social business in the Republic of Moldova, including through grants. However, the sustainability of social business is crucial, and in this context the Social Business Accelerator is launched and we hope that through its expertise and support, social enterprises will develop successfully in the Republic of Moldova, for the benefit of people.“, said Gintautas Baranauskas, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Section, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

According to CCI President Sergiu Harea, during the last years the CCI of the Republic of Moldova, which represents the interests of business community in the Republic of Moldova, has been fully involved in the development of social entrepreneurship and within the regional centre launched, entrepreneurs will benefit from all services and support tools in business.   

The primary activities of this accelerator are creation and provision of the development services of at least 20 social enterprises using modern means of entrepreneurial training, such as the use of the digital platform of the CCI, launching an Academy of social entrepreneurs, creating a Register of social enterprises on the platform Register of CCI members, the possibility of participation with a specialized stand at the largest national exhibition “Made in Moldova” organised by CCI or in the online environment – Virtual Exhibitions etc. 

At the same time, the Chamber of Commerce and industry aims to promote the interests of social entrepreneurship on the existing platform of public-private dialogue, where the most current topics and initiatives to harmonize the national legislation with the one in the EU will be addressed. 

The Hub was inaugurated within the project “Harnessing the CSOs’ potential to promote and develop the social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova”, financed by the European Union, co-financed by Sweden and implemented by the East Europe Foundation in partnership with Keystone Moldova and Contact Center.