Three social enterprises from Ungheni and Cahul regions will benefit from grants of overall €60,000 from the European Union, offered as part of the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme, implemented by UNDP and UNICEF.

Thus, in Cahul, educational and personal development courses will be provided by an IT and robotics centre for children and in Ungheni, the online shop www.3debine.md will be expanded and a hall for inclusive sports activities will be arranged. 

“I am happy that, through the financial support provided by the European Union, we contribute to the development of small and medium enterprises and social enterprises in Ungheni and Cahul regions. The grants offered today, along with those offered so far under our EU4Moldova: Focal Regions programme, support local and national economic development by creating new jobs. We will continue to support the citizens of the Republic of Moldova in achieving the objectives of full integration into the European Union,’ said Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, at the grant award ceremony conducted on 23 March 2023, during an event that brought together entrepreneurs from Cahul and Ungheni districts, as well as representatives of central and local authorities and development partners.

““According to national statistics, SMEs account for 98% of all businesses and provided more than 60% of the country’s employment. UNDP will continue supporting entrepreneurs from Ungheni and Cahul regions, and throughout the country. We are inspired by your commitment and tenacity to invest efforts in creating new jobs and attracting investments and contribute to resilience of local economies,” said Andrea Cuzyova, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. to the Republic of Moldova.

“The grant will help us to diversify the services provided for children by our IT and robotics centre. We will be able to offer KUBO robotics and digital painting education services. Moreover, parents and their children will benefit from a unique after-school program,’” said Maria Pasat. The centre will provide scholarships to children from vulnerable families, big families, mothers on childcare leave and students.

Participants at the event on 23 March learned about the results of the financial support of €1.4 million provided by the EU under the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme for 55 entrepreneurs from Cahul and Ungheni regions. Achievements include: 336 new jobs created, 208 new products and about MDL300 million in sales revenue. 

In addition to financial assistance offered to entrepreneurs for the purchase of works and services, goods, and equipment, mentoring and free consultancy were also provided. 

The “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme (2019-2024) supports smart, inclusive, and sustainable socio-economic development in the Cahul and Ungheni regions to ensure a better quality of life for people. The program has a total budget of €23 million, is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). 

Download the press-release in Russian.