Social Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment
Support Moldova’s Economic Independence: Invest in Social Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment
Social entrepreneurship is where community impact meets sustainable independence. In Moldova, a country where civil society organizations often rely on donor grants that may not align with their true mission, social enterprises provide a path to lasting change. They generate revenue to sustain their initiatives, pay overhead, create jobs, strengthen livelihoods, and reduce dependency on outside funding.
Our community survey named economic empowerment the #1 priority, and national data shows nearly one-third of Moldovans live below the poverty line. This fund responds directly by combining social innovation with livelihoods and income generation.
The Friends of Moldova was founded to support grassroots leadership, not top-down agendas. Our Social Entrepreneurship Dedicated Fund invests in Moldovan-led initiatives that will outlive their initial grant funding and continue making an impact for years to come. These are projects rooted in local knowledge, local leadership, and local passion.
A great example is our first-ever grantee, Pomul Vieții (“Tree of Life”). With seed funding from Friends of Moldova, they built a tree nursery that supplies trees for environmental projects across the country. Revenue from tree sales helps sustain the enterprise while providing employment opportunities for youth with disabilities. This project has continued to grow and generate impact well beyond the original grant.
Since 2021, we’ve received nearly 40 grant proposals focused on social entrepreneurship, proof of the growing movement of Moldovans eager to address social needs through innovation and enterprise.
The Social Entrepreneurship Dedicated Fund ensures we can meet this demand, providing flexible, responsive funding for new and expanding enterprises. Each funded project is carefully selected based on community involvement, sustainability, and potential for long-term impact.
By donating to this fund, you empower Moldovan changemakers to shape their own futures, build livelihoods, and generate economic independence – creating a more inclusive, resilient, and economically independent Moldova from the ground up.
Why Support Friends of Moldova?
- Proven Impact: Over $1.1 million raised, 18 community projects funded, and more than 86,000 beneficiaries reached.
- Local Leadership: Projects are conceived and led by Moldovans, ensuring relevance and sustainability.
- Transparent Operations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donations are tax-deductible and directly support community-driven initiatives.
To ensure sustainability, 10% of each donation to a dedicated fund will be directed to The Friends of Moldova’s Grants Fund and General Activity to support the general grants program and cover essential administrative costs.