Prime Highlights
- Over 60 women entrepreneurs from the two banks of the Nistru River were trained by the RE:Start – Export School.
- The program created export strategies, leadership competences, and gender-insensitive business practices.
Key Facts
- Supported by France, Sweden, and the UK, assisted by UNDP Moldova under the AdTrade initiative.
- Women in Chișinău, Tiraspol, and Bender, including displaced and vulnerable women, participated.
Key Background
The RE:Start – Export School for Women Entrepreneurs, a six-day capacity building project, managed to empower over 60 women entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru River. Conducted by UNDP Moldova under the AdTrade program, the activity was focused on equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools and approach needed to build business abroad. With the support of France, and further support from Sweden and the United Kingdom, this endeavor was a significant step towards economic empowerment for everyone in Moldova.
It was designed as a hybrid learning program with online courses and offline workshops in cities like Chișinău, Tiraspol, and Bender. It targeted women-owned businesses, including businesses operated by members belonging to vulnerable groups as well as survivors of domestic violence. The sessions ranged from export strategy and market research to financial literacy and sustainable business practices.
The trainees were led by experienced entrepreneurs, financiers, and gender policymakers, hence gaining sound export strategies and knowledge on the dynamics of international trade. The training included topics on energy efficient value chains and the green shift in order to encourage sustainable development.
A particular highlight was the final panel discussion when people shared their own entrepreneurial journey, exporting journey, and dreams. This peer-to-peer interaction formed a strong foundation of women entrepreneurs who are now change agents in their respective communities.
With RE:Start, UNDP Moldova emphasized cross-river cooperation, social cohesion, and economic resilience. Apart from bringing women’s markets to the world, the program bridged gaps between geographically and historically fragmented communities. Through investing in women’s leadership and trade capacity development, the program promotes the sustainable development and inclusive growth of Moldova.
