34 communities on both banks of the Nistru River will be supported to implement local initiatives in areas such as climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and enhancing energy efficiency. At the same time, women looking to start and develop environmentally friendly businesses will be empowered. Women’s participation in local decision-making on climate resilience will also be encouraged. All these activities are part of the “Resilient communities through women empowerment (phase II)” project implemented by UNDP and funded by Sweden and Norway.

On 28 February 2025, partnership certificates were awarded to the selected communities, chosen through a competitive process. As a result, over 115,000 people will benefit from the support provided under the project, more than half of whom are women.

“The project promotes multidimensional well-being by facilitating access to financial resources and opportunities for adopting more sustainable practices with a lower environmental impact, particularly for women. A key and valuable aspect of the project is the collaboration among various stakeholders, including communities, NGOs, agricultural enterprises, and women-led households within these localities,” noted Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Moldova.

“We are confident that these 34 localities from both banks of Nistru River will come together with community members, women-led businesses and will pull their efforts to bring to life climate and energy resilient solutions, which not only bring economic benefits, but are also environment friendly,” emphasized Seher Ariner, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Moldova.

“Norway is pleased to join the second phase of this project and support 34 communities spread around Moldova, so the people there can have a more resilient and sustainable future, with a particular focus on women's participation,” said Kamilla H. Kolshus, Head of the Norwegian Embassy Office in the Republic of Moldova.

22 of the 34 communities will be supported in developing or updating their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans. Then, they will be eligible to receive up to US$40,000 for community projects. In addition, women agro-producers in these localities will be able to benefit from goods and services valued at up to $20,000, while women with household businesses will have access to support of up to $6,000, with each category contributing between 5 and 10% of their own funds.

The other 12 communities, selected from among those that in the first phase of the ““Resilient communities through women empowerment” project developed and adopted local plans for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, will receive $30,000 and will contribute with at least 10% of their own funds for initiatives such as: installing solar panels, wind turbines, rehabilitating local infrastructure, or modernizing municipal services.

For all people in Moldova to enjoy the benefits of sustainable development, it is essential to make concerted efforts to address the effects of climate change alongside women’s empowerment. Yet in the Republic of Moldova, women represent only one third of all entrepreneurs and continue to face discriminatory practices fueled by gender stereotypes that limit their access to capital.

Projects such as “Resilient communities through women empowerment” in Moldova, initiated by UNDP and Sweden and funded in the second phase by Norway as well, support women-led and climate-smart businesses and households to improve their economic, social, and educational status.