The “Resilient and inclusive markets in Moldova” project, implemented by UNDP and funded by the Government of Switzerland, is launching a competition to select three beneficiary microregions that will receive technical and financial support for local economic development through a clustering approach.

Each cluster established in the selected regions will receive non-reimbursable financial assistance of at least US$200,000 for the implementation of agreed strategic objectives.

In addition, an integrated package of technical assistance will be provided, which will include:

• Value chain diagnostics;
• Analysis of relationships with suppliers and markets;
• Introduction of modern technologies to improve processes and products;
• Development of entrepreneurial skills;
• Support for integrating products into retail networks.

Clusters will also benefit from assistance in promoting exports and expanding into foreign markets.

The eligible sectors for the competition cover a wide range of areas, from agriculture and agri-food industry to non-food industries and rural tourism services. In agriculture, eligible activities include animal husbandry, cultivation of high value-added cereals, horticulture, vegetable growing, production of table grapes, medicinal, aromatic and oil plants, floriculture, honey production, greenhouse and protected land cultivation, as well as nursery production.

In the agri-food industry, support targets dairy production, meat processing, wine and sugar production, as well as fruit and vegetable processing. Eligible non-food industries include light industry, production of construction materials, and furniture manufacturing.

The deadline for submitting applications is 30 September 2025, 23:59. Documents may be sent to radu.tucan@undp.org More information about the selection process and requirements is available at https://sc.undp.md/tnddetails2/3120/

Five information sessions will be organized for potential applicants to discuss the objectives of the call for proposals, the project methodology, and the application process. Registration link for the information sessions - https://forms.gle/SsXv9z3nN8NwwZcp8

• Chișinău city – 03 September, 11:00 AM;
• Bălți city – 05 September, 11:00 AM;
• Cimișlia town – 09 September, 11:00 AM;
• Comrat city – 10 September, 11:00 AM;
• Online format – 02 and 12 September, 11:00 AM.

In the first stage of the project (2023–2024), three clusters were created and developed: the tourism cluster “Heart of Nistru”, the livestock cluster “OviClust,” and the horticultural cluster “Herbafruct.” These will continue to receive financial support and mentorship in the next stage of the project, alongside the newly selected microregions.

Since 2019, UNDP Moldova and its partners – the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom – have supported the creation and development of 17 clusters, investing $4.8 million.