State grants spur entrepreneurship and job creation across Moldova
Moldovan authorities are offering grants of up to €15,000 (approx. 300,000 MDL) to help registered unemployed citizens launch their own businesses, fostering job creation and self-employment across the country.
Funding and professional training
The non-repayable state subsidies, disbursed through the National Employment Agency (ANOFM), cover up to 80% of an eligible startup’s estimated project costs. Beneficiaries can also access vocational training and formal skills certification before launching commercial operations.
“We want this funding to give the unemployed the chance to turn an idea into a real business,” said Andriana Bruma, principal specialist at ANOFM, speaking on Radio Moldova. “It is a real opportunity to take the first steps in entrepreneurship, achieve financial independence, and create new jobs.”
Eligible expenditures and sustainable impact
Eligible expenses include business registration costs, technological equipment, machinery, transport vehicles for goods or passengers, measurement devices, IT hardware, and office furnishings. Over the past five years, ANOFM has awarded 77 entrepreneurship grants across 32 districts, generating 124 jobs.
“A recent analysis found that 115 of these jobs remain active, representing an 89% retention rate,” Bruma said. “This demonstrates that ANOFM support delivers a lasting impact on small business growth and stable employment.”
Expanding support across Moldovan regions
In the first eight months of 2026, 28 unemployed individuals across 18 districts secured grants, generating 42 local jobs in agriculture, food manufacturing, and tourism. Guidance and application procedures remain available nationwide through ANOFM's network of 35 territorial subdivisions.
During the same eight-month period, ANOFM’s territorial branches facilitated general employment for 16,006 individuals, including 4,851 officially registered jobseekers.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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