Events

100 young entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova and Romania (Iași, Vaslui and Suceava counties) were guided on their own business path, under the project “LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS”. The project is co-financed under the Romania-Ukraine-Republic of Moldova Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 and is implemented by the Organisation for the Development of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ODIMM) in partnership with the Iași County Employer’s Office for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (PJIMM Iași).

The project has an implementation duration of two years and its results were presented at final conferences on 18 December 2013.

‘LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS it was a business start-up pathway for 50 young people from the Republic of Moldova and 50 from Romania (counties: Iași, Vaslui and Suceava) aged between 18 and 35. They embarked on an entrepreneurial path by developing their skills in seminars, workshops, simulations and meetings with entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

Young/potential entrepreneurs, divided into 5 groups of 20 people, participated in a number of courses and meetings with business people in the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Beyond the theoretical topics covered such as: Business negotiation, Business Presentation, Customer Relationship Management, Organisational Conflict Management, etc., the lecturers endeavoured to develop leadership skills among young people.

“The lecturers and all the people involved in the project wanted to take out and promote the leader from each young person, as they would be businessmen and heads of institutions”, he mentioned Mr Neculae Vițelaru, President of the Iași County Employers’ Office for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (PJIMM Iași).

Mikhail Bozianu is a young beekeeper passionate about his work. Mikhail started his business with the support of the PARE 1 + 1 Programme and recently procured an efficient honey collection machine. Participation in the LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS programme to help better understand the business management process. He understood that he should not be afraid to take out credit from the bank if he managed it correctly. Also in the project, the young person identified a future business partner.

‘Although I have previously participated in a very large number of training sessions, I have had access to very valuable information in this project. Now I'm no longer afraid of taking credit ", said Mikhail Bozianu.

Alexandru Bostan has a fruit and vegetable preservation business, initiated with PARE 1 + 1 and PNAET support. Under the LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS programme, the young person had the opportunity to discuss his ideas with experienced businessmen in detail.

“I really enjoyed the programme“LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS”, in particular that instructors are businessmen. I got practical tips that you cannot find in a specialised book either”he mentioned the young entrepreneur.

The 20 best business ideas outlined in the “Lead Your Way to Business” they were presented to the public at the Cross-Border Forum in Chisinau on 19 December. The jury of Iași and Chisinau business representatives selected the 4 best business ideas, which were awarded. Opportunities for viable business development have also been identified.

“Beyond the immediately visible, quantifiable results, I am sure that new projects and partnerships between young people from Moldova and Romania will emerge in the outcome of this project” stated Ms Iulia Iabanji, Director-General of ODIMM.

It should be noted that during the implementation period of the project, a total of 77 business plans were drawn up by young people, supported by business consultants, in all areas: Services – 45 % (IT services, human health and body maintenance activities, promotion services, translation office, dry-cleaning, etc.), Agriculture – 29 % (growing of fruit, vegetables, nuts, shrubs, tobacco; rearing of poultry, animals, bees, fish farming, etc.), Trade – 12 % (meat products, organic fruit and vegetables, furs and hides and skins, second-hand goods, etc.), Industry – 9 (textile clothing, footwear manufacturing, etc.) and Production – 5 % (pastry, bakery, dairy products, renewable energy, fruit processing and preservation).

“Lead Your Way to Business” project it also provided for a series of activities aimed at providing support to young entrepreneurs beyond its completion. Two Start-up Cross-border Business Support Centres were created in Chisinau and Iași, under ODIMM and PJIMM, where young people willing to set up their own business have access to literature, advice and support.

Find out more on the programme website http://lead2business.md/ and on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lead-Your-Way-to-Business/476917575657949.

Main purpose of the project “LEAD YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS” it was to expand, intensify and improve the process of cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Romania, by encouraging and supporting young people (potential entrepreneurs) on both sides of the Prut to start up and develop businesses.

ODIMM develops and implements programmes and projects aimed at supporting the ideas of all entrepreneurs wishing to develop their own business. ODIMM is a public, non-profit institution, created by the Government of the Republic of Moldova by Decision No 538 of 17.5.2007, and operates in the coordination of the Ministry of Economy.