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Support extended for returned migrants' economic activities

The deadline for submitting applications for support from Switzerland and UNDP to strengthen the economic activities of returned migrants has been extended until September 30th for three of the six initially announced categories.

This extension applies to two categories of support intended for migrants who have returned home: one for the initiation of economic activities (Lot 3) and another for the validation of professional competences (Lot 4). Additionally, there is a category of support aimed at enhancing the qualifications of new and/or existing employees at already functional enterprises (Lot 5), according to UNDP Moldova.

Migrants located in the districts of Anenii Noi, Ialoveni, Orhei, and Călărași will also receive support, alongside beneficiaries of the three micro-clusters created and developed with the backing of UNDP and Switzerland. These include sheep and goat farming in the Cimișlia-Basarabeasca microregion under the "Cimișlia-Basarabeasca" micro-cluster, the cultivation and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants in the Nisporeni-Ungheni-Strășeni-Hîncești microregion under the "Herbafruct" microcluster, and rural tourism in the Dubăsari-Criuleni micro-region under the "Heart of Nistru" micro-cluster.

The call for proposals was launched on April 19th. In total, 300 individuals and legal entities from the beneficiary communities will receive support. Proposals will be reviewed in the order of submission, until the available budget of 6.4 million lei is exhausted. Selected entrepreneurs will receive services and/or equipment aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of enterprises, increasing workforce qualifications, stimulating job creation and retention, and supporting the economic reintegration of returned migrants.

Employees will be able to register their businesses and validate their non-formal and informal competences, obtaining certificates recognized nationally.

The competition is part of the UNDP project "Resilient and Inclusive Markets in Moldova," which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable local economic development.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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