Deadline: September 23, 2025
The Switzerland-UNDP project “Sustainable and Inclusive Markets in Moldova” announces a competition for the selection of three specialized micro-regional economic agglomerations to receive technical and financial assistance for regional economic development between 2025 and 2029.
Specialized economic agglomerations, Institutionalized Functional Microclusters, Gratuitous financial support for the implementation of strategic priorities, Technical assistance including economic intelligence, innovative technology transfer, development of entrepreneurial skills, support for product integration into retail networks, and support for export development.
The Sustainable and Inclusive Markets in Moldova (PRIM) project, launched in 2023, aims to pilot and expand the innovative concept of economic microclustering to promote sustainable regional economic development. Following a successful first phase that supported three specialized microclusters in sectors such as zootechnical, medicinal and aromatic plants, and rural tourism, the project is now entering its second phase. This phase targets the creation and development of three additional regional economic microclusters, using lessons learned to optimize methodology and expand impact.
Selected micro-regional economic agglomerations will receive a comprehensive support package, which includes transforming economic agglomerations into institutionalized microclusters. This transformation aims to strengthen economic, social, and institutional ties between enterprises and related organizations, fostering ecosystems capable of driving innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.
Each selected cluster will benefit from gratuitous financial assistance of at least US$280,000 to implement their strategic priorities and consolidated development goals. Additionally, technical assistance will be provided covering economic intelligence, the introduction of modern technologies to improve processes and products, increasing managerial and operational capacities, supporting product integration into retail channels, and helping develop exports.
The competition applies to economic agglomerations within a compact geographical location of no more than a 25 km radius that includes at least five administrative units and a population of at least 10,000. Eligible sectors include agriculture, agro-food industry, non-food industries such as light industry and furniture production, and services such as rural tourism. Applications must be submitted by initiative groups with a lead applicant from specific entity types including local government, business associations, NGOs, or research organizations.
The application process requires a complete set of documents submitted by email by September 23, 2025, and consists of stages including acceptability assessment and technical evaluation to ensure suitability and alignment with eligibility criteria. The evaluation emphasizes organizational quality and development potential as reflected in certifications like the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis bronze certification.
This project represents a strategic initiative to enhance regional economic growth and sustainability through focused support to microclustering, strengthening the competitiveness and innovation capacity of localized specialized economic sectors in Moldova.
For more information, visit UNDP.
