More agricultural businesses led by women to become more efficient in Moldova, with support of Austria, UNDP

Chisinau, 13 December /MOLDPRES/ - Over 30 women farmers and agricultural producers from the districts of Hancesti, Ungheni, Sangerei, Telenesti, Soldanesti and Briceni will benefit from financial support, in order to set renewable energy solutions and to enhance the energy resilience of the rural businesses which they lead.   

For this, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation, provides financial support worth 300,000 dollars, which will be used for setting photovoltaic panels, solar collectors and biomass boilers, which will generate clean and accessible energy, hot water and will enhance the energy efficiency of businesses. The funds are provided through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as part of the project, Emergency support for farmers, in the context of the social, economic and energy crisis.       

Those 32 women who benefit from financial support were selected by UNDP through open competition. More than a half of the beneficiaries cultivate and process agricultural plants in open field and in greenhouses, while the others are specialized in bee keeping, breeding birds and animals.   

 „The backing of women entrepreneurs is an essential component of everything which we support and for which we work. This initiative not only helps women use smart energy solutions from the climate viewpoint and profitable for their production processes, but also help them extend the business, have higher productivity and eventually get better access to markets,’’ the head of the ADA office in Chisinau,  Gunther Zimmer said.   

Till September 2024, another 45 women agricultural producers from more Moldovan districts will receive financing for energy efficiency equipment, due to financing on behalf of Switzerland.   

The project, Emergency support for farmers, in the context of the social, economic and energy crisis, is implemented by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNDP. The project was launched in 2022 and is financed by Austria and Switzerland through the UN Fund Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals Moldova 2030.