Moldova’s 12 business incubators will benefit from investments in energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy sources, and institutional capacity development, enabling them to provide higher-quality services to small and medium-sized enterprises and accelerate the growth of green entrepreneurship at the local level.

On 16 July 2026, partnership certificates were presented during an event held in Chișinău.

“These investments represent more than an upgrade of the infrastructure. By implementing modern energy-efficiency solutions, the incubator is strengthening its capacity to provide high-quality services to entrepreneurs and create better conditions for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The savings generated will be reinvested in expanding services for entrepreneurs,” said Liliana Babără, Manager of the Soroca Business Incubator.

With financial support from Sweden and Norway, UNDP, in partnership with the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), will provide the business incubators with tailored investments totalling US$386,000.

These include:

• the installation of photovoltaic systems and energy-storage systems;
• the installation of heat pumps and LED lighting;
• energy-efficiency measures, including thermal insulation works, replacement of windows and doors, and other solutions designed to improve the energy performance and resilience of the infrastructure;
• the procurement of equipment that will reduce energy consumption and operating costs.

In addition to infrastructure investments, the business incubators will benefit from an institutional development programme that will help integrate the principles of gender equality and climate action into the advisory, training and support services provided to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Direct interaction between business incubators, entrepreneurs and communities will be facilitated. Information and awareness-raising activities will be carried out in local communities, particularly for women agricultural producers.

With support from UNDP and Denmark, energy audits were conducted in 10 of the 12 incubators during 2026. According to the findings, the energy-efficiency measures recommended for implementation require total investments of approximately MDL 32.4 million, or US$1.8 million. Their implementation would reduce energy consumption by approximately 1 million kWh per year, equivalent to annual savings of around MDL 2.8 million, under conditions of adequate thermal comfort. At the same time, CO₂ emissions would decrease by more than 400 tonnes annually.

The business incubators are located in Leova, Cahul, Călărași, Ceadîr-Lunga, Cimișlia, Dubăsari, Nisporeni, Rezina, Soroca, Ștefan Vodă, Sîngerei and Chișinău. They host nearly 300 businesses and support more than 1000 jobs, playing an essential role in the development of local entrepreneurship.

A business incubator is an organization that provides early-stage entrepreneurs with a supportive environment and assistance to develop their start-ups. These institutions offer affordable workspace, advisory services, training and access to financing for a defined period.