Over 350 young people and women from all over the Republic of Moldova will have an opportunity to participate in the economic empowerment trainings, as well as to receive small business development grants that will enable them to start entrepreneurial activities to build their future, as well as to invest into the prosperous development of the country. As many as twenty trainings for youth and women from rural areas, with an added value of including participants from socially vulnerable families, are to take place throughout the year 2011. read more...

The economic empowerment and entrepreneurial development initiative for youth and women was launched by the International Organization for Migration (IOM Moldova) and the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (OSME) on 13-24 December 2010 with the first training in Cahul region, followed by trainings in Balti and in Bahrinesti village, Floresti during February – March 2011. Although young, but already much life experienced, the participants eagerly developed and presented their business plans to be put into practice in order to support their families. The plans covered a wide variety of activities, including opening a hairdresser’s salon, cooking and selling bakery in schools and kindergartens, growing strawberries and breeding animals, as well as the development of touristic and computer services. On a competitive basis there will be around 100 small grants of up to 2000 Euros disbursed to the best and most sustainable business plans of the training participants, whereas their implementation will be monitored alongside with provision of further consultancy assistance.

“The lack of economic opportunities is a primary reason for migration, in particular of youngsters and women, as well as for their reluctance to return home. Creation and support of independent income generating activities are the most vital tools for prevention of migration and its possible negative consequences, offering sustainable alternatives to migration and the associated risks”, says Ghenadie Cretu, IOM Migration and Development Programme Coordinator.

The youth and women economic empowerment and entrepreneurial development initiative was developed to meet the priorities of the Government of Moldova as specified within the National Programme for Economic Empowerment of Young People (PNAET) adopted by Government. The PNAET addresses young people who want to develop their entrepreneurial capacities, start their own small businesses in rural locations or wish to extend an existing one and create new workplaces. The current initiative is being organized and implemented by OSME in partnership with IOM Moldova in the framework of the EU funded project “Supporting the implementation of migration and development component of the Mobility Partnership UE-Moldova”.