The Moldovan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), with financial support from the EU, on 29 July launched the Social Business Accelerator, Centru region – a regional hub for supporting social entrepreneurship, which will contribute to economic growth and well-being of citizens and communities.

The Hub was opened with the help of a €45,000 grant from the European Union.

“Economic inclusion of young people and vulnerable people is one of the key benefits of social entrepreneurship,” said Gintautas Baranauskas, deputy head of the cooperation section at the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova. “The European Union supports the launch and extension of the concept of social business in the Republic of Moldova, including through grants. However, the sustainability of social business is crucial, and in this context the Social Business Accelerator is launched and we hope that through its expertise and support, social enterprises will develop successfully in the Republic of Moldova, for the benefit of people.”

The Regional Business Support Center for Social Enterprises is the third of four to be created within the EU-funded project ‘Harnessing the CSOs’ potential to promote and develop social entrepreneurship in Moldova’. The development and expansion of social businesses will increase job creation, involve people from disadvantaged groups in economic activities and facilitate their access to the resources and social services they need.