Existing businesses and start-ups in the Cahul and Ungheni regions will benefit from grants of €14,000 to 24,000 each, awarded by the European Union in the framework of the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” program, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. The new call for grants of up to €300,000 was launched, for the development of the private sector in both focal regions, IPN reports.

On this occasion, Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, noted that the SMEs are the heart of an economy – the more booming an economy is, the more prosperous the life of the people is. “We are proud to witness successful and tangible results of the EU support provided to local businesses so far and we are firmly committed to continue supporting them for the benefit of the Moldovan citizens, as we are stronger together!” he said.

“This call will offer a new cohort of entrepreneurs the opportunity to fulfill their potential and create new jobs, innovate and adopt a green and circular economy approach in their undertakings,” said Dima Al-Khatib, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

The requirements of the competition and the applicant’s guide may be downloaded at www.eu4cahul.md and www.eu4ungheni.md.

Since 2020, when the first call was launched and until now, 55 existing companies, start-ups and social entrepreneurship initiatives have benefited from grants of up to €1.4 million, in total.

The program has a total budget of €23 million.