More than 60 socially vulnerable Moldovans and Ukrainian refugees participated in intensive training on starting a business in Chisinau, Balti, and Edinet. For ten days, participants learn how to set up and run their own business, whether they already have an idea or are looking for inspiration.
The training is part of the project action “Increasing resilience through employment and social cohesion,” implemented by Helvetas Moldova and HEKS/EPER Moldova with the support of the Swiss Government. Clara Abdullah, Helvetas Moldova Communications Officer, stresses the importance of actions with long-term economic impact for both the vulnerable local population and refugees from Ukraine who have come to live here: “We aim to help vulnerable people and refugees as a special category—not to depend on humanitarian assistance, but to be empowered, to gain confidence and skills to reach prosperity and the jobs they need. It gives people a new idea of income generation.”
Greta Hincu, financial education trainer, talked about the interactive sessions, where participants work on their business ideas and interact productively with other budding entrepreneurs: “These are hands-on sessions for them because they work on their business ideas, and in addition, they create a lot of connections with other participants.”
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During the training, participants learn from scratch how to develop their business plans and take on the independent entrepreneur role. Iryna Sinokos, originally from Odessa, attended the training in Chisinau and is glad she had the opportunity to develop her business idea in an inclusive and accessible environment: “It is good that the training is taught, in both Russian and Romanian, and there is support from the trainers.”
The Association for Entrepreneurial Training and Development (AFAD), in partnership with a local organization in Balti with over 20 years of supporting business experience, organized the business trainings. Tatiana Puga, president of AFAD, proudly mentions the collaboration with Helvetas Moldova and the project complexity, which offers beneficiaries the opportunity to diversify their services and economic opportunities.
“The trainings offer the possibility to broaden and diversify services that we don’t usually offer to our beneficiaries, while at the same time being there for those in need. Here I am talking about refugees from Ukraine and locals who are vulnerable, offering them a whole package of services and economic opportunities.”
The most dedicated and inspired participants had the opportunity to apply for a startup grant from Helvetas Moldova to step right into the entrepreneurship world.
The business training is offered in the framework of the project “Increasing Resilience through Employment and Social Cohesion,” implemented in the consortium by Helvetas Moldova and HEKS/EPER Moldova with the support of the Swiss Government. The strategic implementing partner is the National Agency for Employment.