From Assistance to Economic Participation: What Ukrainian Businesses in Moldova Need for the Next Step
Chisinau, 30 September 2026. The National Congress of Ukrainians of Moldova (NCUM), in partnership with NovaPay and Nova Post Moldova, brought together 16 representatives of Ukrainian businesses at the Ukrainian House in Chisinau to discuss the financial needs of entrepreneurs, practical challenges of operating in Moldova, and the conditions required for further business development.
The meeting was structured around direct dialogue. Alongside presentations of solutions offered by corporate partners, entrepreneurs shared their own experiences and directly outlined the financial and operational challenges they face. These included access to finance, tax-related issues, and limitations linked to legal status, as well as other areas requiring greater attention from the corporate sector. In this sense, the meeting effectively functioned as a focus group, providing direct feedback from companies already operating in Moldova.
The meeting was organised by NCUM in partnership with NOVA. NCUM facilitated the participation and representation of Ukrainian businesses, creating a space for exchange between entrepreneurs and the corporate sector. NOVA was represented by Oleksii Gryshyn, Director of International Business at NovaPay; Cristina Rotaru, Legal Advisor at NovaPay; Serhii Shapran, General Director of Nova Post Moldova; and Alyona Lazarchuk, Sales Director at Nova Post Moldova.
“Since 2022, Ukrainian entrepreneurs have established more than 200 businesses in Moldova, yet access to capital remains challenging. We wanted the corporate sector to hear this directly from those who work in the market every day. That is why we create platforms where businesses can engage with partners directly, without intermediaries,” said Dmitri Lekartsev.
From Humanitarian Response to Economic Participation
Over the past four years, Moldova has developed substantial experience in responding to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians. As people stay in the country longer, their needs evolve: employment, entrepreneurship, financial resilience, and the ability to build sustainable livelihoods are becoming increasingly important.
NCUM's experience shows that economic integration requires more than access to the labour market. It also requires practical support, access to information, trusted partnerships, and sustained engagement with employers and the business community. These elements help people move from humanitarian assistance towards self-reliance and sustainable economic participation. Ukrainian-owned businesses are, in turn, becoming part of Moldova's economic landscape, creating jobs, contributing to the labour market, and building local business networks.
A Partnership Supporting Business Development
The meeting builds on the ongoing cooperation between NCUM and Nova Post Moldova. In 2026, the NCUM Business School, organised in partnership with Nova Post Moldova, brought together 116 participants across nine training sessions on entrepreneurship, launching new initiatives, business registration, financial planning, and marketing.
While the Business School focused primarily on helping people start and establish businesses, this meeting brought together entrepreneurs who are already operating in Moldova. This made it possible to move from a general discussion about business development to a more practical understanding of the challenges facing established Ukrainian businesses.
NCUM as a Bridge Between Stakeholders
NCUM works at the intersection of community needs, institutional engagement, and private-sector partnerships. Its role is not only to represent the Ukrainian community, but also to facilitate dialogue and bring different stakeholders together around practical issues that affect Ukrainians and the wider community.
NCUM's standing in dialogue with state and international institutions is reinforced by the institutional roles of its leadership. Dmitri Lekartsev represents the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moldova. Since 2022, by decision of the President of the Republic of Moldova, he has represented Moldovan civil society on the Presidential Commission on European Integration of the Republic of Moldova. Since 2024, by decision of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, he has represented the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Moldova.
NCUM will continue to develop platforms that bring together Ukrainian businesses, the corporate sector, and institutional partners around practical issues of economic integration and sustainable participation in Moldova's economy.
