SME energy vulnerability in Moldova eased with €2 million in support
A new financing program aims to reduce the energy vulnerability of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Moldova. At least 24 companies will receive financial support from Switzerland, amounting to a total of 1.85 million euros, through the Grant Agreement for the project "Increasing the Energy Resilience of SMEs in the Republic of Moldova."
The document signed on Wednesday, February 18, is part of the initiative titled "Strong Enterprises and Municipalities for Moldova." This initiative is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss Government, according to the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship (ODA).
The project aims to support investments in energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy solutions, and the modernization of production processes, helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more resilient to changes in the energy sector.
The total budget for the project is €3,681,000, of which Switzerland is providing a grant of €1,850,000. Entrepreneurs will contribute €1,831,000 toward the implementation of investment projects. Co-financing for these companies will be managed through the Non-Reimbursable Financial Support Instrument for the Development of SMEs, known as CREȘTEM IMM, which is overseen by the ODA.
The financial support available to each company can cover up to 50% of the value of the investment project.
The ODA informed that companies that have previously received technical assistance from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for industrial energy audits may submit financing applications through a dedicated call on the ODA website.
“With this agreement, we are giving entrepreneurs the confidence that modernization and energy efficiency are safe steps toward long-term stability and development,” said Vadim Codreanu, Director of the ODA.
Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova, highlighted the importance of development partnerships, noting that this initiative provides companies with “the necessary resources for sustainable growth.”
Karin Horhan, GIZ Moldova Program Manager, added that collaboration with the ODA “transforms financial resources into concrete and efficient investments, yielding measurable results” for the modernization and energy efficiency of SMEs.
The project is set to be implemented between December 2025 and September 2026, during which beneficiary selection, investment implementation, and monitoring will take place.
