More opportunities for women in Republic of Moldova: Austria backs new project for inclusive and family-friendly employment

Girls and women across the Republic of Moldova, particularly those from vulnerable groups, will benefit from more inclusive and tailored employment opportunities thanks to a new project officially launched today. The initiative is supported by the Government of Austria, through the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and jointly implemented by UN Women and UNFPA Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova.

The project, entitled "Strengthening Women’s Resilience and Excellence through Inclusive and Family-Friendly Employment Opportunities", will be implemented from 2024 to 2028 with a total budget of EUR 4.4 million.

”For Austria, gender equality is a must - not just because it is fair, but because it is smart economics. We believe that a woman’s freedom begins with her financial independence and economic participation. Societies that empower women are more innovative, more productive, and more resilient in the face of demographic and social challenges.” said Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria.

^{Photo credit: Dumitru Goncear/UN Women Moldova}

Present at the event, Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Alexei Buzu, emphasized the strategic importance of the project in the context of national efforts to advance gender equality and harness the economic potential of all citizens.

“In 2024, for the first time, we recorded an employment rate among women aged 25 to 34 that exceeded the inactivity rate – a result of investments in childcare services and policies supporting work–life balance,” stated Minister Alexei Buzu. “Nevertheless, by the end of the same year, there were still 121,000 inactive young people, including 50,000 women unable to work due to care responsibilities. This project is crucial to reducing these figures and creating real opportunities for families across Moldova.”

^{Photo credit: Dumitru Goncear/UN Women}

By 2028, the programme is expected to support approximately 1,500 girls and women, including NEET youth (not in education, employment or training), mothers, women with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, by:

• Facilitating access to decent employment through training and professional integration programmes;
• Supporting re-skilling for flexible and adaptable jobs;
• Enhancing access to care services and employment support.

In this context, Galina Rusu, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Research, stated: “Strengthening human capital is the foundation of Moldova’s sustainable development. With the generous support of the Austrian Development Agency and UN partners, this project will help expand access for girls and women to quality education and professional training, facilitating their integration into high-demand sectors and promoting inclusive, family-friendly jobs. This initiative marks an important step towards transforming schools into catalysts of economic independence and equal opportunities in the Republic of Moldova.”

^{Photo credit: Dumitru Goncear/UN Women}

The project will be implemented in Chișinău and four additional districts, applying an integrated approach that combines flexible vocational education, gender-responsive employment measures, and development of family-friendly infrastructure. Public institutions, local organizations, and the private sector will play a key role in advancing inclusive employment policies and strengthening institutional capacity.

Sandra Horina, Head of the Austrian Development Agency Coordination Office in Moldova, underlined the strategic relevance of the partnership and Austria’s commitment to fair employment: “Investing in women is not just an act of solidarity—it is a sustainable development decision. In many regions, women face systemic barriers to accessing decent work and economic resources. Through this project, we aim to dismantle those barriers and enable women to realise their full potential and contribute to shared prosperity.”

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Country Representative in Moldova, added: “Together with our partners, we aim to create a more equitable environment for women in the selected districts and across the country—where every woman, regardless of age, social status or ethnicity, has the opportunity to build a career, support her family, and contribute meaningfully to her community. These interventions are designed to strengthen gender-responsive employment policies and inclusive initiatives, with a strong focus on supporting women and girls in vulnerable situations.”

Present at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova Yesim Oruc noted: "This initiative reflects the joint commitment of the UN and its partners to gender equality and sustainable development. Through inclusive solutions and family-friendly policies, we are helping to create an environment in which women can combine their careers with their personal lives. It is a strategic investment in the demographic and economic future of the Republic of Moldova."

^{Photo credit: Dumitru Goncear/UN Women}

The launch event provided a platform for dialogue among government authorities, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and beneficiaries, facilitating coordinated action toward successful implementation.

^{Photo credit: Dumitru Goncear/UN Women}

Through this initiative, Austria, UN Women, and UNFPA reaffirm their commitment to advancing equitable and sustainable economic development in the Republic of Moldova—placing women at the heart of the country’s social and economic transformation. Expected outcomes include: poverty reduction, increased economic independence of women, promotion of decent work, and the development of diverse, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces.