Female Entrepreneurship in Moldova – Empowering women entrepreneurs

Context

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moldova has received more refugees per head of the population than any other country. At the end of 2022, around 100,000 Ukrainian refugees were living in Moldova, equal to around four per cent of the country's total population. These include many women who want to continue their businesses and feed their families.

Moldavian businesses already affected by the COVID-19 crisis are now suffering due to the high costs of energy and raw materials, as well as the loss of important markets in Ukraine, the Russian Federation and Belarus. There is an almost total lack of structural support for young innovative enterprises.

Objective

Entrepreneurs in Moldova, including refugees from Ukraine, receive support, with a particular focus on women. Jobs are protected, ensuring the country's economic and social stability.

Approach

FEM-EIE will set up a support centre in the Republic of Moldova. This will be a meeting point that promotes networking, knowledge exchange and collective growth. Entrepreneurs affected by the Russian war of aggression will receive education and training as well as business premises.

FEM-EIE will provide 500 Moldovan and Ukrainian entrepreneurs with access to work premises and support structures, a global business network, legal resources and training in resilience, growth and market access.
75 of the female entrepreneurs will also receive monthly financial support.

FEM-EIE was developed in cooperation with the Regional Office East of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and is implemented by enpact e.V. using a grant.

This will further develop instruments implemented by enpact during the pandemic to provide direct support to businesses in eight emerging economies, successfully protecting all the jobs and businesses concerned.

Last update: Januar 2023