For a three years period, fifteen start-ups that will promote responsible energy consumption will receive grants totalling 150 thousands Dollars, as part of the “Clean Technology Innovation Programme for SMEs and Start-ups in the Republic of Moldova”. The programme will be lauched in July and will also cover the implementation of three pilot projects, IPN reports.

According to Nicolae Soloviov, Head of the Projects Implementation and Monitoring Department of the Energy Efficiency Agency, any small and medium company with a business idea will be able to participate in the program. The call for proposals will be launched in the next month. Awards are scheduled for November.

Sun Young Suh, of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, said the project promotes the ecosystemic approach, supports cleantech innovations in existing SMEs and start-ups by providing tools and methodologies that can improve the productivity and competitiveness of local businesses.

The Director of the Energy Efficiency Agency, Alexandru Ciudin, said that the project comes to support of the energy sector innovators and will contribute to the development of the culture of responsible energy consumption. "That is the only way we can contribute to preserving a favorable climate for our descendants," said Alexandru Ciudin.

As for the pilot projects, a project in the field of transportation will be implemented this year, focucing on eMobility, a new concept of electric vehicle at the local level. Another two projects will focus on promoting the use of renewable energy in the agricultural sector and in the residential sector. To finance these pilot projects, 600,000 dollars have been allocated.

Clean Technology Innovation Programme for SMEs and Start-ups in the Republic of Moldova will be implemented based on the concept of Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs and Startups, developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in partnership with Global Environment Facility (GEF), in eight countries.