Women with economic activities in agriculture from 16 districts can obtain assistance in enhancing energy efficiency and implementing renewable energy solutions by participating in a call for proposals, open during 21 March – 15 April 2024. In total, 75 energy resilience enhancement proposals will be supported by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of Switzerland and Japan, IPN reports.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation will finance through UNDP 45 proposals: 30 worth up to US$6,000 each submitted by women with agricultural activities at household level and 15 proposals of up to $18,000 each submitted by owners of small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.

The Government of Japan will support through UNDP 30 proposals: 20 worth up to $5,000 each, submitted by agricultural producers at household level and 10 proposals of $10,000 each, submitted by small and medium-sized agricultural producers.

The support will be provided for activities such as: installation of photovoltaic panels and equipment for biogas production, installation of heat pumps, biomass boilers, for various energy efficiency measures in warehouses and rooms used in the production process, but also for other actions that contribute to increasing the energy autonomy of the micro agricultural enterprises, small and medium headed by women.

Women with economic activities in agriculture at household level, women who manage peasant households, individual enterprises, LLCs, entrepreneurs’ associations and who can contribute with at least 20 percent of the amount requested in the proposal are invited to participate in the call for proposal.

The forms and conditions for participation and evaluation criteria for the proposals are available here.

The support, totaling approximately $650,000, provided as equipment and/or services, complements the efforts to strengthen women's capacities in sustainable agricultural practices and integrated energy efficiency. In March-April 2024, 10 informational sessions are organized for 350 people in 16 districts, covering topics like: energy efficiency measures, environmentally friendly activities, and their application in agriculture.

In December 2023, another 30 women-led agricultural businesses were selected under a call for proposals and are receiving support from the Austrian Development Agency to increase the energy efficiency of their businesses.