UN Women Moldova and the Organisation for Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Development (ODIMM) have signed a collaboration agreement

On September 7th 2021, UN Women Moldova and the Organisation for Small and Medium Enterprise Sector Development (ODIMM) have signed a collaboration agreement in order to support women who already have or intend to launch their own businesses. According to the agreement, women will be supported both in launching and developing their businesses, as well as in creating long-lasting relationships among businesswomen and service providers both from rural and urban areas.

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ODIMM
Credit: UN Women Moldova/ Stela Dontu
Over the past few years, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises has grown in Moldova, in 2019 representing 98.6% of the total number of active enterprises. However, because of the pandemic, many business owners have been affected by significant losses, women entrepreneurs being one of the most affected groups. Women entrepreneurs were more likely to suspend their activities for an undetermined period because of stereotyped gender roles and household chores they were involved in more than men.

In this context, the collaboration between UN Women and ODIMM aims to reduce the risks of closing existing businesses, as well as to encourage women to be more actively involved in entrepreneurship. The expected results will be focusing on significant changes, emphasizing the situation of women living in rural areas. Furthermore, women intending to launch a business without having the necessary educational background, will have access to training sessions which will empower them to better integrate on labour market. According to the agreement, it is expected at least 700 women to be empowered, with 50 women becoming ambassadors working at local level, creating networks among women who are interested in entrepreneurship, to help them extend their collaboration opportunities.

ODIMM
Credit: UN Women Moldova/ Stela Dontu 

„Our partnership with ODIMM is timely and very important in supporting women, particularly those from vulnerable groups, to develop or further expand their business. We strongly believe that targeted measures for supporting women to overcome existing barriers and develop their own businesses are critical. Through business, women create jobs for themselves and for others, generate income, become financially independent and invest in their children, their families, and their communities”, Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova country representative, says.

Iulia COSTIN, ODIMM director general, reiterated the importance of the project for an equitable and inclusive development of business environment in Moldova: „The WE4WE project will offer women from Moldova a unique experience, so that they could become an integral part of positive changes in their communities. It is essential to support women from all regions of the country, especially those from rural areas, in accessing career and business opportunities. The WE4WE project aims to develop entrepreneurship abilities, to increase the competitiveness of businesses run by women in value chain, as well as to motivate women to become change makers in their communities.”

ODIMM
Credit: UN Women Moldova/ Stela Dontu

The projects implemented by ODIMM over the last 14 years gradually got oriented towards the direction of motivation and support offered to women and girls to integrate in business environment in the Republic of Moldova, as well as to develop or extend their own businesses, especially in rural areas. This is also fortified by the collaboration with UN Women which aims to support women entrepreneurs from rural areas, as well as from underrepresented groups.

*ODIMM has been established by the Government of the Republic of Moldova in 2017 to support entreprises from the Republic of Moldova, according to priorities established by national development strategies and programmes.