A new international partnership is set to improve climate resilience in the Republic of Moldova through a £3.5 million (US$4.5 million) initiative aimed at empowering rural women working in agriculture and forestry. The four-year project, titled Advancing Climate Resilience and Women’s Empowerment in Moldova, was officially launched on 9 July 2025 during a high-level policy dialogue.

Funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by UN Women and UNDP, the initiative will run until 2029. It aims to support sustainable management of forests and pastures while tackling gender-based challenges that limit women’s participation in the agricultural and environmental sectors.

The project is designed to improve rural women’s access to knowledge, economic tools, and positions of leadership, all while addressing systemic barriers within the forestry and agriculture industries.

“Today, it’s my pleasure to share that Canada will invest $4.5 million US dollars in this new technical assistance project, designed to support women’s work on sustainable agriculture, pasture and forestry initiatives here in Moldova. This project will ensure that rural women and women refugees can access training to build new skills in climate-smart agriculture and forestry, as well as in leadership, financial management, and business development. This initiative will not only help thousands of women make more money to support their families and their communities. It will also help the agriculture, forestry, and conservation sectors adapt to become more resilient against the increasing droughts and storms that we face due to climate change,” said Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Canada.

According to the UNDP, the project will serve as a key element of Moldova’s ongoing efforts to restore degraded landscapes and enhance biodiversity through sustainable forest and pasture management.

“This partnership project with Canada and UN Women will contribute to building sustainable and resilient communities through empowering women engaged in climate responsive agri- and forest businesses. Women are agents of change in their communities and with access to finances, knowledge, and skills, they can drive prosperity and growth for all. In the context of Moldova’s urgent need for forest restoration and sustainable land use, this project will promote sustainable forest and pasture management, recognising the central role women play in safeguarding ecosystems, restoring degraded landscapes, and contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. By investing in women’s leadership in forestry, we are also investing in biodiversity, community cohesion, and climate resilience,” said Daniela Gasparikova, UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

The programme will identify the specific educational and training barriers women face in the agricultural and forestry sectors. These findings will be used to tailor training schemes to better serve women’s needs in climate-smart land management, leadership and entrepreneurship.

The scheme also seeks to improve financial literacy among rural women and entrepreneurs, enabling easier access to credit, grants and other funding through partnerships with banking institutions and both public and private sector actors. There is also a strong focus on growing women-led businesses, with new support mechanisms to help navigate financial systems.

“Climate change has multiple effects on the environment, the ecosystems and the biodiversity, it inevitably impacts people’s lives, but more disproportionally women. Women bear the higher burden due to structural inequalities and existing gender stereotypes, especially in rural areas. UN Women supports gender-inclusive initiatives that provide access to sustainable and climate-smart business, through specific programs which include tailored trainings, vouchers support and expanded economic opportunities. Strengthening women’s access to finance will further enable investment in climate-smart agribusinesses and open market-driven opportunities for women entrepreneurship. By strengthening their ability to lead and innovate, we contribute to the resilience of communities and governance that reflects everyone’s needs,” said Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Representative to Moldova.

The Bugeac Steppe region, one of the country’s most climate-affected areas, will be a focal point for the initiative. The region suffers from severe land degradation and economic inequality, making it an ideal target for investment in sustainable practices and female-led economic development.

Plans also include the launch of a community-based forestry enterprise, supported by Canadian funding, which will produce native tree and plant species suited to Moldova’s changing climate. This effort is expected to generate new jobs and promote agroforestry, ecotourism and the use of non-timber forest products.

The project also intends to work closely with national and local governments to shape inclusive climate adaptation strategies that promote gender equity in natural resource governance. Local public administrations will be supported in developing climate policies that ensure fair representation of women in decision-making processes.

Efforts will further extend to strengthening partnerships between vocational education and training (VET) institutions and private enterprises. Agro-industrial colleges in particular will play a role in nurturing a pipeline of skilled, women-led businesses in agriculture and forestry.

Through its various strands, the programme is expected to improve community cohesion, help tackle environmental degradation, and increase the involvement of women in the green economy. The partnership between Canada, UN Women and UNDP seeks to provide long-term support for women as climate leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs, contributing directly to Moldova’s sustainable development goals.