More settlements of Moldova to benefit from grants for environment friendly businesses

Chisinau, 1 November /MOLDPRES/ - Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched two contests of grants meant for local public authorities and women entrepreneurs from the districts of Nisporeni, Calarasi, Basarabeasca, Leova, Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, Security Zone (Dubasari district) and the Transnistrian region. The contests are organized by the UNDP project, Sustainable and resilient communities through women empowerment, financed by Sweden and the deadline for submitting project proposals is 15 November.         

„Within the contest meant for the local authorities, 30 communities from the aforementioned districts will be selected, which will be able to benefit from grants worth up to 16,000 dollars each and from technical assistance for carrying out projects meant to enhance the communities’ resilience to climate changes, reduce the risks of disasters and to contribute to the sustainable development of settlements. Communities with a minimal population of 2,000 residents, which can come up with a contribution of at least 10 per cent of the sum demanded, are eligible. The project proposals can be submitted both from rural settlements and urban ones from target zones. A community will be able to benefit from a single grant on behalf of the project,’’ UNDP said.     

According to UNDP, at the second contest, at least ten companies led by women will be selected, which carry out their work in aforementioned districts, which will benefit from grants worth up to 18,000 dollars, in order to start or develop environment friendly businesses and resilient to climate changes, such as the intelligent agricultural activities in terms of climate, businesses in the field of alternative energy and waste processing, eco-tourism, etc. Companies led by women, registered or under registration, which can come up with a 20-per cent contribution from the sum demanded, can participate in the contest. Besides the financial support, the women entrepreneurs selected will also benefit from mentoring and guidance for developing businesses.     

On 2-5 November, experts of the UNDP project and the Global Business Access company, which is charge of the management of grants contests, will organize in target districts information sessions on the conditions and way of carrying out contests. All activities will be organized for free.  

Photo: UNDP