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Over 80 women entrepreneurs from across Moldova joined the Local Women Producers' Fair on October 18-19, held in the heart of Chișinău, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. The event attracted thousands of visitors over two days. Now in its third year, the fair was a satellite event of the regional Women Entrepreneurship Expo 2024 initiative, and, this year, estimates suggest that the women entrepreneurs generated over USD 150,000 in sales.
The fair offered a unique platform for women from all walks of life – whether from rural communities, Ukrainian refugees, women with children, or those living with disabilities – not only to sell their high-quality, locally made products from the agri-food sector, but also to connect with potential investors, build networks, and establish partnerships.
Victoria Cutulab from Glodeni district, located in northern Moldova, is the founder of LeoAnn Wood, which produces natural wood items like pizza plates, decorations, and children’s games. She was one of the women entrepreneurs who successfully established a cooperation with a local pizza restaurant during the fair to sell her wood pizza plates. “For me, this was a wonderful experience. It was my first time participating in such a fair, where I had the opportunity to sell my products and engage with potential customers. I received only words of praise; most visitors appreciated the quality of my products, especially since they are natural and handmade. Taking part in a fair like this has given me the courage and wings to continue growing my business,” shared the entrepreneur. Cutulab has been developing her business for about four years, working alongside her husband in a workshop next to their home. The workshop is equipped with minimal tools, and all the work is done entirely by hand.
As in the previous editions, the visitors had the chance to buy and enjoy authentic, locally produced goods, including honey, teas, and apiculture products; nuts and almonds; as well as fresh fruits, dried fruits, and artisanal chocolates. The fair also featured handmade crafts, fresh and processed vegetables, cheeses, dairy products, snacks, and beverages – all crafted with care and skill by the women entrepreneurs.
“Events like these are important because they allow us to connect with local producers and support them directly,” said one fair visitor, who bought herbal tea, honey, and almonds.
Dominika Stojanovska, Country Representative of Moldova, expressed her delight at seeing such a large number of women represented at the fair again this year, each bringing diverse backgrounds from various regions of Moldova. “These women showcase their products with pride, and it’s inspiring to witness the strong interest from visitors year after year. This enthusiasm reaffirms the value and quality of their work, motivating us to continue supporting their efforts," stated Dominika Stojanovska.
Victoria Gulpe’s story, founder of Granoleya – a startup focusing on producing homemade granola, spotlights the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs’ efforts. Gulpe, who studied in Germany, chose to return to Moldova to start her business, inspired by the quality of local products and the country’s potential. She has participated in all the UN Women-organized fairs and notes that visitors are not only interested in buying, but have also become loyal customers. “I chose to build my business in Moldova because of the growing demand for quality products, my strong connection to this country, and the exceptional local ingredients we have. Trade fairs have been invaluable in increasing our market visibility and helping us connect with loyal customers who truly value what we offer,” pointed out Victoria Gulpe.
More than just a marketplace, the fair aimed to empower women by providing opportunities to grow their businesses while supporting the local economy. “In celebrating its third edition, the Local Women Producers' Fair reinforced its role as an essential platform for women entrepreneurs, helping them gain visibility and contribute to the economic development of their communities. Through their collective efforts, these women are making significant strides in transforming local economies and showcasing resilience and innovation in entrepreneurship,” mentioned Diana Crudu, the founder of EUROCIVIS, a civil society organization of women in agriculture and tourism and co-organizer of the fair.
The third edition of the fair was organized by UN Women Moldova, EUROCIVIS, and Kaufland Moldova, with the support of the Embassy of Sweden and the Swiss Cooperation Office.
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Launched in 2021, the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO is a unique partnership platform to promote women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem building in the Europe and Central Asia region. EXPO provides an interactive space for women entrepreneurs, investors and private sector representatives for networking and collaboration, peer learning, ideas generation, capacity building and business development. EXPO 2024 is organized by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Yıldız Holding as part of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator.
