Grant Program for “Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises” – Moldova

The project “Emergency support for agricultural producers in the context of the socio-economic, climate and energy crisis” aims to contribute to mitigating the socio-economic impact of the price increase caused by the decrease in crop production in Ukraine as a result of the military conflict, as well as the disruption supply chains in the region. These effects are particularly severe on vulnerable groups – the rural population, households with three or more children, female-headed households and women in rural areas in general.

The project will offer, through UNDP, at least 30 grants for the implementation of selected projects. In addition to the non-refundable financial aid, women entrepreneurs will also benefit from a comprehensive capacity building program. This measure will support the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition of enterprises led by women agricultural producers in rural areas.

Purpose and Objectives

• The purpose of this Grants Program is to provide complex assistance to agricultural producers (technical assistance in capacity development, mentoring and guidance) in order to increase energy resilience and ensure the transition to a green energy by providing non-refundable financial assistance (grants) for co-financing a minimum of 10 projects aimed at one of the following objectives:
  • Contributing to reducing vulnerability in the agricultural sector by harnessing renewable energy sources and/or implementing energy efficiency measures.
  • Development of energy-efficient and climate-smart agricultural activities within micro, small and medium-sized agricultural producers- peasant household, individual enterprise or female-led SRL;

Funding Information

• Small and Medium-Sized Agricultural Producers: The maximum amount of financing provided by UNDP will not exceed the amount of up to 18,000 US dollars.
• Micro Agricultural Producers: The maximum amount of financing offered by UNDP will not exceed the amount of up to 6,000 US dollars.
• Funding provided by UNDP may be used, depending on the type of planned income-generating activities, for the procurement of works and/or goods/machinery/equipment, as well as for the procurement of specialized technical assistance services.

Eligible Business Areas

• Applications for funding can be submitted by micro, small and medium agricultural producers based in one from the following districts:
  • Telenesti
  • Ungheni
  • Soldanesti
  • Briceni
• For Micro:
  • You devour
  • Blood
• For Small and Medium:
  • Hancesti
  • Sangerei
• Project proposals can be submitted by both rural and urban applicants from target areas.
• If an applicant is the founder of 2 or more economic entities, only one of them will be able to benefit from the grant.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project proposal is submitted by a small or medium-sized agricultural producer or by a micro agricultural producer – legal entity with the status of a peasant household, individual enterprise or SRL led by a woman.
• Legal entity with the status of a peasant household, sole proprietorship or SRL managed by the applicant keeps accounting records and presents financial reports in accordance with the legislation in force and has no arrears to the public budget.
• The applicant confirms the availability to contribute with a financial contribution for the implementation of the project financed by the grant.
• The applicant’s agreement regarding the dissemination of the results of the project financed from the amount of the grant.
• The micro, small or medium-sized agricultural producer – legal entity with the status of a peasant household or individual enterprise led by a woman is located in one of the target districts of the Project.

Ineligible

• Administrative expenses (rents, salaries, bank commissions, etc.);
• Any purchases or activities that have already been implemented before participating in this contest or activities financed by other donors/double financing is prohibited;
• Purchases or activities that are not necessary to achieve the goals of the non-reimbursable financial assistance;
• Payments related to debt repayment, interest and loan fees;
• Fines, penalties and court and arbitration costs;
• Loans for third parties;
• Expenses incurred before signing the grant contract;
• Other expenses that do not contribute to the achievement of the project’s objectives.

For more information, visit UNDP.