In the heart of Gradiște village, Cimișlia district, the Strogoteanu family carries on the tradition of sheep farming, a craft passed down through generations. Nicolae Strogoteanu, alongside his wife and father, manages a farm specializing in Assaf sheep, a breed known for its high productivity. Developing this business came with challenges, but securing a grant through the PARE 1+1 Program—managed by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development with support from the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the European Union—became a turning point for the Strogoteanu family.
"If we hadn’t received the first grant from ODA, we would have lost faith that something could be achieved. It was a great encouragement," says Nicolae Strogoteanu.
The Strogoteanu family had always raised sheep, but turning this tradition into a profitable business required investment. To secure the necessary funds, Nicolae worked abroad for two years and saved enough money to invest in the farm. Upon his return, he applied for a 250,000 MDL grant through the PARE 1+1 Program.
"With the grant funds, we purchased a tractor, a mower, and a rake. With our own contributions, we bought 38 Assaf sheep," Nicolae explains.
Today, their farm has around 100 sheep and produces high-quality milk, traditionally processed into artisanal cheeses.
The PARE 1+1 Program supports Moldovan migrants and their relatives by providing financing opportunities for business development in Moldova. Its mechanism is simple: for every leu invested by the entrepreneur, the program provides a matching non-repayable grant, ensuring the necessary resources to build a sustainable business.
The European Union plays a key role in supporting entrepreneurship in Moldova by funding economic development programs. PARE 1+1 is just one of the EU-backed initiatives, managed by ODA in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, to stimulate investments in Moldova and create real opportunities for Moldovan entrepreneurs.