On the left bank of the Nistru River, poultry farming has long been part of everyday life. For Iurie Flerciuc, it is more than a livelihood — it is a family tradition he grew up with and learned first-hand. But turning that experience into a modern, competitive business required more than hard work. It required investment, planning and the confidence to take the next step.
Iurie chose poultry farming by following in his father’s footsteps. Having grown up around the trade, he understood both its challenges and its potential. “When you already know how things work, it’s easier to move forward,” he says. “We just needed to organise ourselves and invest wisely.”
That opportunity came when Iurie decided to formalise his plans and prepare a business proposal. His idea — to double production by expanding the farm — received support from the European Union under its EU4Business initiative, through the Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The EU4Business grant of €20,000 enabled Iurie to build a second poultry house and introduce advanced digital equipment that automates key processes, including feeding, watering, ventilation and heating. The investment marked a turning point for the business, significantly reducing manual labour and improving efficiency.
“This system is very modern and well designed,” Iurie explains. “Everything works automatically — feeding, ventilation, heating. The technology does most of the work, and that allows us to focus on quality and animal welfare.”
The new facility can accommodate around 15,000 chickens, sourced from the right bank of the Nistru River. Thanks to the controlled environment, some birds reach optimal processing weight in as little as 45 days. Despite the high level of automation, the farm has created two new jobs, contributing to local employment.
“We are still a small farm, but we already have loyal customers,” Iurie says proudly. “Our products are in demand. Of course, farming always depends on external factors like the weather, but creating the right conditions for the birds makes a huge difference.”
Iurie is one of 20 entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru River who received EU4Business support in 2024 to start or expand their businesses. In total, more than €529,000 has been invested in strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises across the region.
Iurie’s experience reflects a broader effort to support SMEs on both banks of the Nistru River. Through its EU4Business initiative, the European Union continues to help entrepreneurs modernise their operations, create jobs and build resilient local economies.
Since 2014, the European Union’s Confidence-Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, has supported the development and competitiveness of over 70 SMEs from both banks of the Nistru.
