Empowering local communities, and training Moldovan and migrant women to gain financial independence and confidence in the future. Cristian and Elena’s success stories

For Cristian and his brother Liviu, goat farming is not just a small business, but a family affair that requires hard work, dedication and passion. For many years, his father worked hard to build a small goat farm in the village of Roscani, Anenii Noi district. After their father passed away, they realized that this farm had the potential to grow into something bigger.

“Everything that you see here now was built with our own hands. We know our business, all the intricacies and details, and we are good at it. We got this business from our parents, it is in our blood”, says Cristian proudly.

With the ambitions to expand their business, the two brothers bought more goats and started to think about new ways to modernize their farm. It was then that they decided to apply for a grant program from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Moldova.

“Thanks to IOM support, we were able to purchase a milking machine, which significantly improved our production process,” Cristian notices.

Now their next step is to invest in more advanced equipment to further improve the quality of their products. They also hope to hire more workers, creating new opportunities for the local community.

Charm Style, Elena’s beauty salon where she trains Moldovan and migrant women to gain financial independence and confidence in the future.

Elena, a mother of five, was forced to leave Ukraine and return to her homeland, Moldova. Before the war, when she lived a peaceful and stable life, she worked in the beauty industry, dreaming of one day opening her own salon. Elena was born in the village of Gura Bicului, but moved to Kiev while she was still studying, to build her career.

Her family lived in the city center of Kiev, not far from the military base. When the war broke out, it became clear that it was dangerous to stay there. In the first days of the war, fear and chaos reigned throughout the city. Banks were closed, soldiers were everywhere and people were in total panic. Three days after the beginning of the war, Elena and her family crossed the border and entered Moldova. Even after leaving war-torn Ukraine, Elena continued to suffer severe stress and anxiety, uncertain of what to do next.

“I have five children; I couldn't afford to do nothing and cry all day while reading the terrifying news. Then I realized that everything was in my hands,” says Elena.

Elena wanted to find a flexible job that would allow her to take care of her children. She approached the National Employment Agency, where she learned about the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) micro-grant program and applied. When she was awarded, Elena attended a keratin hair straightening course and bought the necessary material for her work. This was the first step towards the realization of her dream.

After that, she decided to open her own salon in Anenii Noi, and thanks to the micro-grant Elena was able to purchase an air conditioner, professional chairs for beauty specialists and a special chair for laser hair removal treatments.

“It was very timely financial help. Sometimes in business you have unforeseen expenses and to cover them you have to give up the basic investments needed to get your business off the ground”, says Elena.

Today Elena has a modern salon called ‘Charm Style’ in the city centre of Anenii Noi. A small but motivated team of two specialists works with her. Elena not only provides beauty services but also organizes training courses to Moldovan and Ukrainian women on keratin hair care, which can help them gain financial independence and confidence in the future.

‘Most of my clients are Ukrainian refugees who have fled the war, seeking hope and peace, just like me,’ says Elena.

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Elena, the owner of “Charm Style” salon, is one of 229 persons who have received microgrants from IOM Moldova to support Moldovan, migrants and refugee entrepreneurs in developing their businesses through the purchase of equipment and self-employment opportunities.