Business Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Program / Business School

    The Business Skills and Entrepreneurship Development Program was launched by NCUM in 2025 in partnership with UNHCR to strengthen economic self-reliance and resilience among displaced Ukrainians and youth from host communities in the Republic of Moldova.

    The initiative addressed barriers to sustainable livelihoods and economic participation, including limited access to practical business skills, financial literacy, knowledge of business registration and regulatory requirements, and opportunities for business development and financing. By supporting entrepreneurship and self-employment, the program provided an additional pathway to economic participation, particularly for individuals facing barriers to wage employment.

    In 2025, the program delivered structured, practice-oriented training for entrepreneurs, early-stage startup founders, students, and young professionals. The curriculum covered business planning, project development, grant writing, financial literacy, startup lifecycle management, and alternative financing mechanisms.

    In 2026, the initiative continued through the Business School, implemented by NCUM in partnership with Nova Post Moldova. The Business School provided participants at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey with practical knowledge and expert guidance in areas including business registration and legal frameworks, financial management, marketing, digital tools, and market expansion. The program also created opportunities for peer learning, professional networking, and the exchange of practical experience.

    Across 2025–2026, 185 participants completed the program through 15 structured training sessions. The activities combined practical learning with expert guidance, enabling participants to strengthen their business knowledge and apply new skills to their entrepreneurial activities and livelihood strategies.

    NCUM acted as the implementing partner, responsible for programme design, coordination, and delivery of training activities. The programme was delivered with the professional support of BS Consulting Synergy, with sessions facilitated by Ekaterina Kovalchuk and Igor Oleksych. Their expertise and contribution supported the delivery of practice-oriented training in business development, financial management, and entrepreneurship.

    This partnership enabled the integration of entrepreneurship development into existing support mechanisms for displaced populations and host communities, strengthening the humanitarian-development nexus.

    Through a combination of structured training, practical exercises, expert support, and networking opportunities, the initiative supported participants in developing and strengthening their businesses, pursuing self-employment, and building sustainable livelihoods. It also contributed to strengthening the economic integration of displaced Ukrainians and host community members into the local economy.

    Participants strengthened practical skills in business planning, financial management, marketing, project development, and entrepreneurship.

    The initiative provided refugees and host community members with practical tools and knowledge to develop sustainable business activities and strengthen their economic participation in Moldova.

    The Business School expanded the initiative’s focus on practical entrepreneurship, business development, expert support, and professional networking.

‍

‍

‍