Success Stories

In 2012, Igor and Victoria Hîncu discovered the model of social entrepreneurship. Altruistic and actively engaged in volunteering launched their own business, the company ‘EduJoc’it allows them to both make a profit and contribute to community change. Entrepreneurs now produce a variety of things educational games and toys.

“Life gave me the chance to discover the social entrepreneurship model.”

Among the reasons that led her to launch the social business, the production of wooden toys is the fact that they noticed the dependence of children on screens and the desire to launch a sustainable product. Following an event, they also understood that there was a demand for such toys from parents. And last but not least, they wanted a change for society, for children.

Initially imported wooden toys from Romania, and later with support of the European Union launched their own workshop. Today, the company produces a wide range of toys and educational games. The company is now also collaborating with other wood in the country, which can produce sets of toys for ‘EduJoc’.

“From the beginning, we have brought a large box of wooden toys from Romania. At that time, there were very few wooden toys in the Republic of Moldova, and even if they were, they were very expensive. We organised an event where we invited parents with children and played, so we got a positive feedback.”

The first steps were not so easy, already in 2012 they launched the online website, and people were not so confident about shopping online, which is why they went to people’s homes and presented every product.

By means of APPARENTLY 1 + 1 they managed to expand their team. Thanks to this programme, Victoriei’s father returned from abroad and pledged to ‘EduJoc’she is also involved here. The same is true of his parents Igor Hîncu I am part of the team ‘EduJoc’.

“Social entrepreneurship has three main advantages, in addition to the economic advantage of generating profit, creating jobs and contributing to GDP, social entrepreneurship provides long-term solutions to community problems. People from disadvantaged, social-vulnerable groups also have the opportunity to take up employment.”

Part of the profit of the business is for the organisation of free courses in schools and kindergartens. Only recyclable materials shall be used to create the products. The exception was when the garment of visors and other medical equipment started. Also, during the pandemic period, external funding has engaged in several social projects to support children diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to hospitals.

“This is how we have shown that the concept of social business deserves to be implemented and social entrepreneurs to be supported, because they find solutions as soon as a problem arises. We usually offer long-term solutions.”noted Igor Hîncu.

“Our mission is for every child in Moldova to have at least one educational toy in their home according to their age, temperament and needs. During the pandemic we have reprofiled and managed to help the heroes on the front line, so we started producing visions, intubation boxes and even communication equipment. In this way, we felt even more useful.”says Victoria Hîncu.

Campaign initiated and supported by the transnational Finance4SocialChange project, co-financed by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI). The aim of the project is to promote social impact and stimulate the development of companies interested in solving community problems. ODSME is a partner, along with 19 other institutions from 15 countries in the Danube region.

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