Press releases

Chisinau, 25 November 2023 — At least 50 tourism businesses can be financially supported through grants over the next 3 years through the ‘Tourism Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development Support Programme’. Entrepreneurs in this sector can access grants of up to RON 500 000. One of the conditions is to have an own contribution of at least 30 % of the value of the investment project.

All the details about the importance of this programme for the development of tourism in our country were discussed in the “Entrepreneur Expo”, a good opportunity for those interested to discover opportunities for growth and entrepreneurial support in this field. At the event, Nina Potînga, Deputy Director of the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship, said that the programme had been approved for a period of 3 years, with an annual budget of at least RON 10 million, and would be financed from both state and EU sources.

‘The programme will encourage the development of the tourism industry, provide opportunities for small businesses, guesthouses and agribed-and-breakfast establishments. The conditions will be created for the sustainable development of these enterprises, which will certainly have a positive impact on the national economy and economic growth of the Republic of Moldova. Similarly, it will stimulate the creation and growth of jobs in rural areas, which will make it possible to keep our citizens at home.”

In turn, Andrei Chistol, State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, is pleased that this programme provides targeted support to economic operators in the tourism industry or those wishing to develop a business in this field. ‘Let us not forget that ODA also has other programmes that provide financial support to colleagues in the tourism industry. There is no doubt that we need to work on the development dimension of the tourism product, the national tourism offer in order to be prepared to receive foreign tourists. There is a concern to develop Turkish activity in the countryside, "said Andrei Chistol.

This programme is seen as an important additional source to increase the investment capacity of a tourism business, said Viorel Miron, Executive Director of the Tourism Development Association of Moldova. ‘CAM 90 per cent of the national territory can be covered by this programme and I refer to the countryside, but where we have all types of accommodation, catering or leisure facilities for tourists. This programme has a sufficiently broad and balanced list of actions that can be financed. This is good, because also those in the accommodation sector, and those in the catering sector or those providing support to them, could be beneficiaries. ’

More than 80 investment projects were submitted under the first call in October and are under consideration. Grants will be given priority to entrepreneurs working in the rural tourism value chain, running or planning business development with the following components: green tourism, innovation and digitalisation, and demonstrate a sustainable evolution of economic indicators according to the financial statements of the last 2 years of activity.

The non-repayable financial support is provided for the reconstruction, furnishing, equipping of accommodation and/or food establishments, as well as leisure facilities for tourism, the provision of access for persons in special travel situations, the restoration and refurbishment of rooms, furniture, the toolkit, in accordance with the principles of respecting cultural authenticity, including preserving the spirit of rural settlements in the Republic of Moldova. Also, with the financial means from these grants, small tourism entrepreneurs can improve their digital infrastructure and carry out promotional activities, such as online campaigns. Money can be spent on printed matter, tourist signage, marketing and promotion of the destination actions and materials, organisation of infotours.

This Programme is eligible to apply to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs already engaged in tourism entrepreneurship or related activities with the potential to organise tourism activities in villages, municipalities as well as cities with a population of up to 30 000 inhabitants.

The programme to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of tourism is funded by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the EU, through the Organisation for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA). It is one of the 7 programmes co-funded by the EU with EUR 8 million over 3 years under the EU SME Project. Of the total budget, around EUR 500 000 is allocated to the Support Programme for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Field of Rural Tourism.