Events

“The PNFM is a voluntary initiative, launched in 2013, which has demonstrated its role in developing women’s professional capacities. Under the umbrella of this platform, we want to unite active women to promote female entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment, especially in rural areas. The Drochia and other meetings that took place reflect the need and willingness of women to engage in various social and economic activities in the country and to share their experiences. The purpose of the activity is to encourage self-employed women entrepreneurs and young people who wish to take up an economic activity or to be active in their locality ", mention in his word of welcome, Ms Iulia IABANJI.

Present at the event and Mr Andrei MARIANPresident of the Drochia Raional Council said:“I am particularly surprised to see so many women present at this meeting. I see in recent years that women are much more active and willing to participate in economic life. At district level, the Council will support this initiative and we want the Platform to have continuity”

Meeting guest, Ms Speranta OLARUproject manager of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, presented the opportunities for internationalisation of SMEs through the lens of the Association Agreement and the Help Desk Support Platform. Ms Olaru demonstrated online the possibilities to access information on export conditions, tariffs and eligibility of domestic products on the EU market. ’The Association Agreement provides free access to the European single market, urging women to make full use of this possibility of internationalisation of their products and services. Be active in starting/developing Dvs’ business, because you are always supported”.

Thematic trainings aimed at developing women’s managerial capacities are an indispensable element of the format of NFM meetings. As speaker Ms Adela ENACHE, it provided useful advice in promoting a company’s products and services, identifying the main problems of inefficient marketing. The training session “Successful in business, if you do effective marketing” was interactive with the involvement of event participants.

At the same time, with the aim of supporting the development of women’s professional skillsthe villages and districts of the Republic, Ms Nadejda MOCANUproject manager Novateca presented the opportunities offered by libraries in rural municipalities, supported under the project with modern communication technologies and methods.

‘The Novateca project aims to make libraries active and attractive community centres. In this way, we also want businesswomen to take the first step by visiting libraries. We want business women to perceive the Library as a suitable space for net-working, information, promotion of products and services”mentioned Ms MOCANU.

Under the traditional heading “Success Histories”, participants of the event had the opportunity to get inspired and encouraged by two successful women.

Ms Galina Cepoi, Ambassador Restaurant Manager, host of the meeting, spoke about the necessary willingness to start a business and her love for her work. “Immediately after 4 months of work, I was appointed head of restaurant, and after my marriage and the upbringing of two children, I felt the need to start a family-based business so that together with my sisters we would stay in the country. So we decided to open a restaurant. Now, the desire for work, passion and development makes us move forward”.

Ms Aliona IVANENCOa professional psychologist, a young and optimistic entrepreneur, provided useful advice to participants and urged women to be worthy of her work and to receive pleasure from what they do. “I had a long way to go here, but the work I am currently doing is very happy. I am proud to be able to help children, and perhaps even save some lives, through psychological counselling”.

At the event, women had the opportunity to participate in a networking session, where they exchanged data, experience, created partnerships and participated in a tomato with prizes offered by development partners.

In keeping with the format of previous editions, in order to promote the services of companies run by women, the participants became acquainted with them at the mini-exhibition and product presentations.

Participants also had an unprecedented opportunity to learn from Ms Aurica ROMANexpert in carving, the art of sculpture in fruit and vegetables. Around Easter Saints, women learned about some secrets of beauty of the festive meal.

And a sentimental and relaxing moment was the presentation of clothes from recyclable matter, made by children from the Drochia School of Painting, guided by Ms Ludmila FETCOpainting teacher, the woman who dedicates most of the time, energy and love to these children, teaching them to see beautiful objects that are already unused, giving them their second life through these particular transformations.

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We recall that, Moldovan National Women’s Platform (PNFM) is a project initiated and supported by the Organisation for the Development of the SMI Sector (ODIMM) in partnership with the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova and other national and international development partners.

Specific objectives of the NFM are: encouraging women’s entrepreneurship, facilitating communication and the creation of partnerships between women, women’s professional and personal development and the promotion of products and services of companies managed by women.

The first regional edition, held in Drochia on 28 March, gathered around 100 women. The main purpose of these regional meetings is the economic empowerment of women in rural areas.