31 communities across the Republic of Moldova, including five clusters of localities in process of voluntary amalgamation will receive technical and financial support to develop Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), as part of the project “Resilient communities through women empowerment,” implemented by UNDP with financial support from Sweden and Norway.

On 17 July 2025, partnership certificates were awarded to 15 localities from both banks of the Nistru River, along with five groups of local public authorities involved in the voluntary amalgamation process, covering a total of 16 communities. Two of these groups, Leova town and Călinești village in Fălești district, together with neighboring villages, are among the first formally amalgamated administrative-territorial units in the country. They have received continuous support from UNDP and other development partners throughout the process.

The support provided to selected communities goes beyond climate and energy planning; it aims to implement practical green solutions, with a strong focus on involving women in local decision-making and promoting women-led entrepreneurship. The selected communities will foster environmentally friendly, women-led economic initiatives targeting poverty reduction and energy vulnerability, increasingly affected by climate change.

“Our communities are directly experiencing the climate and energy crisis. Developing a gender-sensitive local plan is a critical step toward sustainable and equitable solutions. Through this joint effort, we can protect agriculture, strengthen the local economy, and give rural women real opportunities for participation and growth—helping build a more resilient and empowered community,” said Ala Procopciuc, mayor of Călinești village, Fălești district.

Earlier, in February 2025, another 22 communities were selected as project’s partners. An additional 12 had already received support during the first phase of the project, having developed and adopted their local climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction plans. In total, the initiative now includes 65 communities, representing over 220,000 residents from both banks of the Nistru River.

Moving forward, selected communities will be supported in drafting or updating their SECAPs. They will also become eligible for community project funding of up to U$40,000. Additionally, women agricultural producers will be able to access goods and services valued at up to $20,000, while women operating household-level businesses will be eligible for support of up to $6,000, each funding opportunity requiring a 5–10% co-financing contribution. In rural areas especially, women often face the burden of these challenges while having limited access to resources, financing, and development opportunities. Although women represent one-third of all entrepreneurs in Moldova, many still face persistent barriers and stereotypes that limit their full potential.

Through the “Resilient communities through women empowerment” project, implemented by UNDP with support from Sweden and Norway, women are becoming key agents in building greener, stronger communities. Whether through sustainable businesses, grassroots climate solutions, or active participation in decision-making processes, this initiative empowers women to turn their ideas into concrete actions, contributing not only to the local economy, but also to a more sustainable future for all.