Each of the six clusters receives grant financial support of up to $275,000 in equipment, services and goods. It is aimed at strengthening production capacities, expanding value chains, improving product quality and enhancing competitiveness in local and international markets. Support also includes mentoring activities, training for cluster members aimed at process optimization, innovation and job creation.
Six beneficiary clusters were established in 2024 with support from UNDP, Sweden and the UK under the AdTrade project. Each cluster has its own governing body and a strategic development plan for a three-year period. They bring together specialized SME companies from both banks of the Nistru River.
The light industry cluster “Moldova Textile Export” brings together 12 light industry factories and workshops in the micro-regions of Rezina, Ribnita and Soldanesti. With AdTrade’s support, it is planned to help small light industry producers in the region to enter foreign markets by modernizing equipment and optimizing cooperation along the entire value chain.
The Lower Dniester vegetable cluster is an initiative that brings together 12 economic entities from the localities of Stefan Voda, Slobozia, Tighina, Grigoriopol and Causeni. The focus is on improving product quality and post-harvest infrastructure for vegetable production in the region.
The tourist cluster “Dniester Riviera” includes 17 economic entities from the settlements near the Dubasari reservoir. It promotes the development of sustainable tourism, focusing on ecotourism and integrated visitor services. The assistance received will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of the region’s tourism offer.
The agro-food cluster “Fruit Export Hub” unites 13 enterprises from the micro-regions of Soldanesti and Camenca with an annual production volume of about 10,000 tons of fruit. The assistance will be invested in post-harvest infrastructure, packaging and promotion on international markets.
The table grapes sector cluster “Gold Grapes Logistic” includes 11 companies from the micro-regions of Stefan Voda, Causeni, Slobozia and Grigoriopol. It supports the improvement of product quality and the creation of a modern logistics platform for the storage, sorting and packaging of grapes in order to expand exports.
The beekeeping cluster “Trade Honey Group” in the micro-region of Causeni, Slobozia, Grigoriopol and Basarabeasca includes 11 economic entities on both banks of the Nistru River, which manage a total of more than 3,500 bee families. The aim of the project is to increase the added value of beekeeping products by modernizing honey collection, processing and certification processes.
Since 2019, UNDP Moldova and its partners – EU, Sweden, Switzerland, UK – have supported the formation and development of 17 clusters, investing $4.8 million. Among the areas covered: livestock, horticulture, tourism and industry.
