From ideas to achievements: summing up event #SheLeads

On December 12, 2023, the Association for Entrepreneurial Training and Development (AETD) hosted the summing up event of the "Creating business development opportunities for refugee girls and women and local communities" project - #SheLeads. The project targeted 7 regions of the Republic of Moldova: Bălți, Dondușeni, Florești, Fălești, Rîșcani, Criuleni and Chișinău.

Within this project, 120 refugee girls and women and those from local communities were trained in the field of entrepreneurship, being oriented towards business start-up opportunities. Mentoring in developing and implementing income-generating ideas, as well as financial vouchers in the amount of up to 25,000 MDL, awarded for the best 35 business ideas, will support participants to step confidently into the world of entrepreneurship.

Tatiana Puga, President of the Association for Entrepreneurial Training and Development: "Within this project, we have assumed the objective of supporting women from Ukraine who are facing various challenges due to the war. Our basic task was to help them overcome barriers, strive for a quieter life and have the security of tomorrow. Thanks to project activities, they will be able to generate income and enjoy financial independence."

Svetlana Andrieș, UN Women Moldova Deputy Country Representative, mentioned during the panel: "Conducting an analysis of the situation of women refugees who crossed the border of the Republic of Moldova following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, we realized that over 65% of them had higher education and over 50% had jobs in Ukraine. Given that our country is facing a shortage of workforce, we decided to think about how we can capitalize on this new potential of women who are here temporarily or who have even decided to stay in the Republic of Moldova. I would like to congratulate all the beneficiaries of the project. They went through a very extensive process."

Mariko Mori, First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Moldova expressed her deep respect for Moldovans who make a significant contribution to the protection of the lives of refugees from Ukraine "I am very happy that through this project, in partnership with UN Women, we are able to support women and girls from Ukraine to become financially independent and live their lives in dignity, taking control over their own path."

Andriy Shevyrin, Vice-Consul, Consulate of Ukraine in Bălți: "Ukrainian women participating in this project have shown courage and resilience. Despite the physical and psychological stress they are facing due to this terrible war in Ukraine, they have managed to set a goal and achieve it, for which I congratulate them!"

Alexandru Coica, Country Director HIAS Moldova, mentioned: "One of the goals of the project was to promote gender equality and provide those tools for women to recover equality. It is now very important to focus on integration and inclusion in our society. This project is a very good example of this."

The project was created in order to support women entrepreneurs by providing them with support in developing and evaluating the feasibility of business ideas. This included familiarization with administrative and legal regulatory requirements, facilitating access to finance, providing mentoring, promoting networking for the exchange of best practices between local and displaced women entrepreneurs from Ukraine, as well as mental health counselling and psycho-social support. 

Alina Nițuleac, from Rîșcani, one of the 120 beneficiaries of the project, said: "I think women can do anything. I find myself in the field of laser engraving. Here it is important to have vision and desire. When you're part of a community full of ideas and determination, you get inspired and want to do more."

The closing event aimed to celebrate the success of the project, to share the lessons gained and, last but not least, to provide a socializing opportunity for both beneficiaries and partners involved in the implementation of this initiative. 

The activities have been organized with the support of UN Women and funded by the Government of Japan, in partnership with the Association for Entrepreneurial Training and Development (AETD), HIAS, FCPS and CASMED.