Press releases

April 6, 2026, Chișinău – The Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) is perceived as the most trusted institution for access to finance among women entrepreneurs in the Republic of Moldova, according to the recently published national study “Women Entrepreneurs’ Access to Finance in Moldova.”

According to the data, 71.8% of women entrepreneurs report a high level of trust in ODA, compared to 48.4% in commercial banks, positioning the institution as the main support and intermediary point within the financial ecosystem dedicated to women.

Over the past four years, through grant programs managed by ODA, 935 projects implemented by women have been approved, representing 36% of total beneficiaries. The total value of grants awarded amounted to 317 million lei, generating total investments of approximately 662 million lei.

The study also highlights a significant growth potential: out of the over 42% of respondents who are aware of ODA programs, only 35% have actually applied, indicating the need for more accessible tools and clearer guidance in the financing process.

Through ODA-managed support programs, a significant number of women entrepreneurs have benefited from both financial and non-financial support for business development. In addition to financial support, ODA has also contributed to the development of entrepreneurial skills, supporting over 6,800 women through training, mentoring, and participation in exhibitions.

At the same time, the research confirms a very high demand for integrated solutions: 97.2% of women would participate in programs that combine financing with mentoring and digitalization support—the highest level of interest recorded in the study.

Another important finding shows that lack of collateral affects 82.4% of women entrepreneurs, highlighting the strategic role of ODA in developing and expanding guarantee schemes and flexible financial instruments.

“We are pleasantly surprised by the high level of trust that women entrepreneurs place in the institution. It is an important confirmation of our work, but also an additional responsibility. We will make every effort to capitalize on these results and take into account the study’s recommendations in order to optimize existing programs, simplify access to finance, and develop solutions better tailored to the real needs of women entrepreneurs,” said Vadim Codreanu, Director of ODA.

The study also reveals that 64.2% of women entrepreneurs have never applied for a bank loan, indicating significant barriers in accessing formal financing. In this context, ODA is positioned as a key institution that can facilitate the connection between women entrepreneurs and the financial sector through co-developed products, guarantee mechanisms, and integrated services.

We note that ODA has increased the maximum ceiling for start-up companies founded and managed by women from up to 1 million to 5 million lei, with a guarantee coverage of up to 80%.

At the same time, through guarantee instruments, ODA has supported 611 companies led by women, providing guarantees worth 706.67 million lei, which facilitated access to 1.6 billion lei in loans and generated total investments of approximately 2.04 billion lei.

The research also highlights the need to develop dedicated instruments for early-stage businesses, as the rejection rate for aspiring women entrepreneurs reaches 71.4%, revealing a significant gap in the market.

Through the Government Program 373, a total of 338 women entrepreneurs accessed financing worth 1.3 billion lei, contributing to total investments of approximately 1.8 billion lei.

The study “Women Entrepreneurs’ Access to Finance in the Republic of Moldova” was conducted by UN Women Moldova, in partnership with AFAM – the Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Moldova, with financial support from the Swiss Cooperation Office (Swiss Cooperation in Moldova) and the Government of Canada (Embassy of Canada to Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova). The study is part of the “Finance for Her” initiative, aimed at promoting women’s financial inclusion.

For more information about entrepreneurial support programs, visit the official website www.oda.md or contact the ODA Consultation Center at: 022 22 57 99.