Project Summary:

The Switzerland-UNDP project "Resilient and inclusive markets in Moldova " means more inclusive and developed communities, capable of withstanding multiple shocks and crises, the creation and support of microregions, a sustainable economy, new jobs for those at home and those returning, as well as modern and sustainable businesses. The project will engage both local communities and returning migrants, as well as refugees from Ukraine.

UNDP Moldova will further advance the successful local economic development interventions by scaling up the focus from local to (micro)-regional, while at the same time leveraging revenue generation, strengthening business support services and value chains to increase the competitiveness of local economy, retention of human capital and facilitate local socio-economic development.

The strategic goal of the project is to enhance the SMEs-based sustainable economic development and promote equal access to decent work at the local and (micro)-regional levels, targeting both local population, as well as returning migrants and refugees. Thus, enhanced cooperation among multiple stakeholders will be leveraged, business support services will be improved, as well as the complementary regulatory framework for communities and microregions.
 

Objectives:

• Policy and institutional frameworks create an empowering environment for inclusive and sustainable economic development in the targeted economic sectors;
• Local/regional communities, including private sector representatives, meaningfully cooperate in cluster formats to enhance value chains and improve their economic opportunities;
• Institutions in the Republic of Moldova support and adopt policies and legislative frameworks that create an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the creation of decent jobs;
• People of Moldova, especially women, youth and refugees, benefit from improved economic opportunities in the pilot micro-regions;
• Economic actors in the Republic of Moldova, including small farmers affected by various shocks such as the consequences of the war in Ukraine or climate change, are able to maintain or increase their production.
   

Expected results:

• Three clusters established under the previous phase of the project, along with three additional clusters, will develop or update their investment attraction packages and implement innovative business development initiatives;
• 15 communities from the Republic of Moldova will improve their local business support services and will offer more complex and adapted revenue opportunities via regional development initiatives;
• 130 individuals, including returning migrants, refugees, and NEET (not in employment, education or training) youth from target communities, will improve their employment opportunities through vocational training and/or equipment provided to facilitate work;
• At least 100 jobs will be created, improved, or maintained (with at least 40% occupied by women, 30% by youth, and 25% by returning migrants);
• At least 30 companies will receive support to enhance their competitiveness;
• The institutional and advocacy capacities of the six cluster management entities will be strengthened;
• Four new legislative amendment packages aimed at improving local economic opportunities will be developed and promoted.
   

Go to phase 1.