The "Resilient and inclusive markets in Moldova" project, implemented by UNDP and financed by Switzerland, is launching a competition for the selection of three beneficiary micro-regions (each with at least five territorial administrative units of level I), which in the next two years will benefit from support to boost local economic development.

Thus, the selected communities will be helped to create micro-clusters, which will capitalise on existing local advantages and support the specialisation of local economies. Up to US$400,000 will be invested in each of the three micro-clusters, which will contribute to creating new jobs for locals, but also for returned migrants and refugees from Ukraine.

"In the current socio-economic situation, strengthening the resilience of the economic actors is of paramount importance. With this initiative, Switzerland will support local businesses, contributing in this way to creating new economic perspectives in different regions of Moldova," said Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova.

''Building on UNDP Moldova's longstanding experience of boosting local development, we are proud to contribute to enhanced resilience of SMEs, the backbone of the economy, for an enhanced access to decent jobs to local population and refugees,” mentioned Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

Micro-regions are encouraged to register for the competition. The file of the applicant shall include the participation form filled in Romanian or Russian, the declaration of commitment and partnership, signed by all the entities involved from the private and public sector. The deadline for participation is 23 February 2023, 11:00 p.m.

More details are available here: https://bit.ly/3XRpUId

During 1-14 February, information sessions will be organized in Chișinău, Bălți, Cimișlia, Comrat, as well as an online session, to answer the questions of those interested in preparing the participation file and to clarify all the details of the project.

To participate in the information sessions, prior registration is required at: https://rebrand.ly/prim_info_session

During 2015-2022, UNDP and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) carried out the “Migration and local development” project - part of the intervention “Moldova – Making the Most of Migration”, bringing together local public authorities, NGOs/hometown associations, private sector, and people, including migrants originating from target communities. More than 116 localities from the Republic of Moldova and 556,000 people have benefited from improved livelihoods and local public services.