Vulnerable men and women are empowered, exploit sustainable economic opportunities, reap the benefits provided by the AA/DCFTA and are better prepared to manage economic risks (such as COVID-19 pandemic) through active civil society engagement. 

The 40 months project will enable Moldovan CSOs to play an effective role in policy advocacy, private sector development and sustainable economic growth. Specifically, with project support CSOs will empower vulnerable men and women (returned migrants, youth, persons with disabilities) and SMEs (i) to explore sustainable economic opportunities along with benefits provided by the AA/DCFTA and (ii) to manage emerging economic risks such as COVID-19 pandemic.

The implementing partners will mobilise over 100 CSOs and SMEs part of three CSO platforms to advocate for more inclusive employment and trade policies aimed at facilitating employment and expanding economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, especially in situations of emergency or pandemics. The action will empower at least 30 CSOs to act in at least 10 local consortia and implement new methods of inclusion of vulnerable groups into the labour market by means of offline and online life-long learning, vocational orientation and training, coaching, mentorship, in partnership with local authorities and Territorial Employment Agencies. In addition, tailored capacity building for strengthening sustainability of at least 85 local CSOs will be conducted.

The project will enable Business Hubs and Youth Entrepreneurship Funds to scale up opportunities for vulnerable groups and develop business capacities of at least 200 SMEs through e-learning, training and coaching, business development start-ups, smart-working solutions, digital solutions including e-commerce development; mainstreaming environmental protection. The action will allow EBA to assist at least 70 SMEs in exploring new economic opportunities linked to AA/DCFTA through international outreach, business internships, matchmaking, business development services.