Sixteen entrepreneurs from ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district received grants from the European Union for a value of up to €17,900 each. The support will enable to start new businesses and develop small and medium-sized enterprises, resulting in the creation of over 90 new jobs.

The entrepreneurs were selected out of 87 participants in the second round of the business projects’ contest organized by the “Support for Agriculture and Rural Development in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia District” (SARD) Program, financed by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, IPN reports.

Besides the non-refundable financial support, selected entrepreneurs will benefit from technical assistance and consultancy over one year.

With the financial support of the European Union, Igor Jito will create in Musait village, Taraclia district, a mushroom farm. “In southern Moldova, we will be the first to implement this mushrooming technology and we are glad that the European Union has trusted and invested in our business idea. In a few months, we will be ready to offer fresh organic mushrooms to local consumers. In the medium term, we hope to also sell preserved or dried mushrooms,” said Igor Jito.

Tatiana Civirdjic, from Ceadir-Lunga town, one of the 16 winners of the grant contest, said that with the assistance of the European Union, she will be able to offer a wider range of apicultural products, of high quality and at affordable prices. “I will create at least 3 new jobs and promote a product that is so beneficial for the health but not yet very popular,” she stated.

In March 2017, another 14 entrepreneurs benefited from similar grants from the European Union for launching and developing businesses in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district. The support for local entrepreneurship initiatives is one of the three main components of the SARD Program. It also includes activities for empowering communities, renovating infrastructure facilities and promoting inter-municipal cooperation in ATU Gagauzia and Taraclia district.