The young people are the main source on which each state counts. The absence of these on the labor market is a problem for each state. Regrettably, Moldova annually sees a constant decline in the number of young people not only due to the natality, but also to migration abroad. Many young people and teens are attracted by the chances to go abroad to work or study. At the same time, Moldova has high unemployment indicators compared with the countries of the EU. The participants in a workshop staged by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) discussed methods of stimulating the involvement of young people in social entrepreneurship, opportunities and obstacles, IPN reports.
Iulia Costin, director general of the Organization for the Development of SME Sector (ODIMM), said that only 18% of the people aged between 15 and 24 and 42% of the people aged between 25 and 29 work in Moldova. Of the total number of inactive citizens, 328,000, who are aged between 15 and 29, were included in statistics as NEET (neither in employment nor in education and training). Currently, ODIMM is implementing 12 programs of support for all the categories of youth.
Elena Nofit, communication consultant at Contact Center, stated that their organization launched a number of social entrepreneurship development programs in the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the needs of civil society and, especially, of young people. A study was recently launched to help young entrepreneurs in Moldova and Ukraine realize their potential. They launched information campaigns, involved media outlets and developed their interest in reporting on social entrepreneurship. To stimulate social business initiatives, the Center made a call for grants exclusively for young people and this is still open.
Dumitru Stoica, a member of the Administrative Board of the Natural Youth Center of Moldova (CNTM), said the young people daily become more involved due to programs intended for young people. The youth centers aim to identify the young people’s needs and solutions based on necessities so that the young people are motivated to become involved.
Sergiu Gurău, of the public association Eco-Răzeni, founder of the social insertion enterprise “Floare de cireș” (“Cherry flower”), said the association focuses on the development of involvement opportunities for young people in rural area. The association decided to start a business in the food sector with grant funding. It started with seven employees, but now has 23 employees and over 50% of them are young people with disabilities or from disadvantaged families. Social entrepreneurship can be developed in the country and other persons can be motivated to come to this sector.
Marina Albu, president of the LEADER National Network in Moldova, created the LEADER Network as a rural development mechanism of the EU, with over 30 years’ experience. In Moldova, it has been implemented since 2017. The young people should take part in local action groups that have chances to make changes at the local level. These groups receive financial resources for implementing local action plans.
Alexandr Burdian, a graduate of the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest, said that the European Factor is a source of good practices and experience that can be useful for developing social economy in Moldova.
The event was staged by probationers and young researchers who take part in the programs #StagiuIPRE2021 and #YoungFellowsIPRE2021 in the framework of the IPRE Project “Change starts with you! – #BetheChange: Young People for the Europeanization of the Republic of Moldova” that is implemented in cooperation with the Hanns Seidel Foundation in the Republic of Moldova and with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Germany.
