Press releases

Rural female entrepreneurs, in particular from disadvantaged groups, including the Eastern region of the Republic of Moldova and UTA Găgăuzia, will be supported to start up or develop a business, in the context of a new economic reality caused by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This support will be delivered through a new project “Gomen Entrepreneurs for Women Empowerment” (WE4WE)launched today by Organisation for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium Enterprises (ODIMM) and Moldovan National Women Platform (NPF)in partnership with A Women (United Nations Equality of Gen and Women’s Equality) with the financial support of Sweden.

The project aims to create a sustainable network at national level from 50 ambassador women of all Moldovan regions with a view to promoting and implementing enabling principles; exhaustive assessment of the specific profiles of women in different regions; supporting at least 700 women in improving skills and capacities regarding the development and expansion of a business and/or job search, re-profiling or advancement; mentoring activities for at least 100 womenfuture entrepreneurs and already active business women, in particular from rural areas, to launch or develop their own business and develop a web payment for entrepreneurs to connect the business community, identify regional partners and create new partnerships.

At the launch event of the project, Minister for Economic Affairs, Sergiu Gaibu reiterated the importance of supporting female entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova, in particular rural women, including those in vulnerable families.

“The participation of women in business is very important for a sustainable economy and we need to increase this percentage. Here too than also Sweden for its support, a country that is a supporter and an engine of women’s support. It is also important that the rise of our children takes as a matter of priority for women, postponing their career. For this reason, we have launched discussions with some international partners to simplify the regulatory framework for opening gardens, including in rural areas and even turn them into business opportunities”.

Excellence of Sa, Katarina Fried, Swedish ambassador in the Republic of Moldovastressed that “We are very pleased that thanks to the new partnership with UN Women and IMMS, we will be able to provide more support for women’s economic empowerment, in particular those in underrepresented groups. We can continue to support women’s growth by providing specific support tools that would boost female employment and entrepreneurship, strengthen women’s skills and knowledge, improve women’s access to finance and ensure their connection with other entrepreneurs, relevant institutions and organisations”.

Dominika Stojanoska, country representative UN Women Moldova stated that “We have not yet reached gender equality in terms of women’s economic empowerment and labour market presence. We see many challenges related to women’s access to paid employment, but also unpaid domestic responsibilities. Although the situation has improved over the past years, most women are in small business and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities. We believe that this project represents enormous potential to make a difference in this respect, because the DSOs have a broad network that would help women access to information and connect with other women who have had such experience”.

Iulia Costin, Director General ODIMM stressed that supporting women’s entrepreneurship is aimed at increasing the economic well-being of both the country and individual families.

“Over time, changing the perception of female entrepreneurship in the Republic of Moldova has become a basic priority for the IMMO. Numerous initiatives and projects dedicated to female entrepreneurs have been implemented, which have contributed crucially to increasing skills and encouraging women to follow the path of entrepreneurship. However, women and girls remain the most vulnerable, especially in the context of COVID-19 and are employed in the sectors hardest hit by the crisis, with considerable financial losses. All these changes have accentuated the vulnerable position of female entrepreneurs in society and boosted us as an organisation – key business support – to act to support women. The WE4WE project will give arips and will be a catalyst for women to take a step in the face and take the attitude irrespective of obstacles and place of living”.

The event spoke and represented by the business environment, which welcomed the launch of a new support initiative for women.

We recall that the development of female business potential has been and is a priority for the business of the IMMO. Currently, ODIMM is implementing 12 National Support Programmes, including the “Fem in Business” Programme, which aims to improve capabilities and provide financial support to women who intend to start or expand their business, especially in rural areas.

At the same time, ODIMM implements a project with the same name in the Danube Transnational Programme, together with 8 other Danube countries, co-financed by European Union funds. Moldova has become a successful history in the Danube Region through the Women in Business project, helping to improve policies to support female entrepreneurship through innovative training programmes and providing women with access to business advisory centres.