Project Summary:

The project will help to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the rising prices caused by decreased production of crops in Ukraine as a result of the war, as well as the disruption in supply chains in the region. These effects are most severe, in particular on vulnerable groups – rural population, households with three children and more, women-headed households and rural women in general.

The project will encourage women entrepreneurs to implement renewable energy transition solutions and apply energy efficient technologies. The project will offer, through the UNDP, 75 grants for the implementation of the initiatives. In addition to the non-refundable financial aid, women entrepreneurs will also benefit from a complex capacity development program. This measure will support the long-term socio-economic recovery, energy security and energy transition of women-led businesses in rural areas.

The project will develop also the capacities of local environmental NGOs. 15 NGOs representatives will benefit from an intensive training program supported by UNDP and will subsequently become local trainers for 1000 small farmers.

Thus, farmers will have the opportunity to make their economic activity more efficient by more energy efficient practices and measures in their production process and at the household level. 

This will contribute to food security and climate and energy resilience of vulnerable groups in rural areas.

Objective:

The project’s objective is to improve the food and energy security of the country and address the regional impact of the current socio-economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine through supporting the most vulnerable small farmers (particularly women-led farms and young people) in rural areas of Moldova with inputs and improved capacities for resilient production.

Expected results:

• 15 representatives of NGOs participate in an intensive training program on the following subjects, but not limited to: environment protection and economic growth, climate change impacts and its relevance with the energy and other sectors, climate change and sustainable development, renewables and energy efficiency, women empowerment and climate change, etc;
• 1,000 (200 women and young people) small agricultural producers increase their capacities in access to markets, income generating activities with sustainable and green aspects mainstreamed;
• 5 in-country study tours organized for the beneficiaries of the capacity development program willing to learn from their peers about green and environmental-friendly business and to find out more about energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices;
• 30 small and medium agri-producers led by women received non-cash assistance for implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies (biomass boilers in greenhouses, photovoltaic, among others) smallholder farms and households benefit from the implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies;
• 53 smallholder farms and households led by women benefit from the implementation of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. 

Accomplishments:

• 53 women equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify optimal energy efficiency solutions tailored to their businesses;
• 202 women farmers and households led by women initiated in conservation and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Fortified with comprehensive information guides covering essential topics related to sustainable agricultural practice and circular economy principles in agriculture, the women led agri-producers are more prepared to adopt responsible agricultural methods and implement measures promoting both environmental and economic sustainability;
• 30 women farmers and producers from Hîncești, Ungheni, Sîngerei, Telenești, Șoldănești and Briceni districts received financial support to install renewable energy solutions and improve the energy resilience of their enterprises in rural areas;
• 18 representatives of 12 NGOs equipped with knowledge and training skills, due to participation in a training of trainers programme on climate change impacts and sustainable agricultural practices.