Seven entrepreneurs from the left bank of the Nistru River will benefit from support for developing energy-efficient businesses focused on increasing productivity and implementing innovative and sustainable technologies. They were selected through a competition organized by the UNDP project “Advanced Cross-River Capacities for Trade” (AdTrade), funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Each of the selected businesses will receive equipment and services aimed at implementing energy efficiency measures and labor productivity, in value of up to $30,000. In addition, entrepreneurs will receive mentoring, training, and coaching sessions to optimize production processes and generate new jobs.

The received assistance will be invested in key areas such as improving fish farming production through advanced technologies and renewable energy, transitioning to a sustainable model in the HoReCa industry by installing solar panels, and developing eco-tourism by building an eco-friendly modular house for a winery. Furthermore, the support provided by the UNDP/AdTrade project will facilitate the modernization of production processes in the food industry through sustainable energy solutions, the use of solar energy in farms, the expansion of production capacities in the artisanal dairy sector, and the promotion of organic agriculture to supply the market with natural and safe raw materials.

It is estimated that each supported business will create at least one additional job, thus contributing to the economic development of local communities.

Three of the seven support recipients are women entrepreneurs. Among them is Elena Dronik, the founder of a company specializing in the production of dried flowers for floristry and decoration, providing the market with high-quality raw materials.

"We believe in sustainable development and environmental care, which is why it is particularly important for us to use eco-friendly resources. Thanks to the received funding, we will be able to install photovoltaic panels and implement green energy in our production processes, which will not only increase our efficiency but also reduce our environmental impact. This investment will significantly boost our production volume, save natural resources using eco-friendly technologies and create 3-4 permanent jobs and 10 seasonal jobs for socially vulnerable individuals," said Elena during the awarding support certificates ceremony.

Vasilii Cebanov, director of a company specializing in fish farming, emphasized the importance of the support received for reducing environmental impact and increasing production efficiency. "Fish farming is a long-term process that requires careful planning and a forward-looking vision. The high energy costs for water pumping represent a major challenge for us, and this support provides an opportunity to reduce them through efficient technologies. We are grateful to Sweden, the United Kingdom, and UNDP for their support, which will not only make our production more sustainable but will also contribute to environmental protection”.

The support certificates were awarded during the event "Green energy for resilient businesses: strategies, perspectives, and future trends," organized in Tiraspol on 2 April 2025. The event brought together more than 120 entrepreneurs and experts from both banks of the Nistru River, who discussed energy efficiency and the use of green energy as a solution for sustainable and resilient businesses.

During a panel discussion, entrepreneurs from various fields shared their experiences in integrating green energy solutions into their businesses, such as cheese production or table grape cultivation. Additionally, sustainable practices in solar panel maintenance and cleaning were presented, along with eco-friendly initiatives promoted by the "Berries Group" association. The event provided participants with the opportunity to establish connections and explore new collaborations for future sustainable initiatives.

Since its launch in 2019, the AdTrade project has supported other 89 entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru river in starting and expanding their businesses, including encouraging them to adopt energy-efficient technologies.