Mariana Zabrian, an entrepreneur from Moldova, has dedicated her entire career to preserving and promoting a valuable family recipe –  the Babă Neagră dessert, a sweet, soft and porous cake. Inspired by the recipe passed down from her grandmother, Mariana, along with her mother and sister, transformed this family tradition into a business that brings the taste of childhood closer to people across Moldova.From dream to reality: the first steps in entrepreneurshipIt all started with Mariana’s desire to prepare a healthy dessert for her children. While seeking inspiration, she rediscovered her family’s recipe for Babă Neagră, a soulful tradition. What began as a gesture of care transformed into a business meant to bring this authentic dessert to the tables of many. Each slice carries a story of simplicity and joy.Every Babă Neagră made by Mariana is the result of dedication, care and respect for her family’s culinary heritage. It all begins with preparing the wood-fired oven, whose gentle heat gives the dessert that unforgettable, unique flavor. The dough, made only from natural ingredients from her farm, is carefully poured into baking trays and then left to cook slowly for ten hours. The result? A soft, gelatinous interior and a fine, slightly caramelized crust that melts in the mouth. Each slice tells a story – about roots, passion and the joy of authentic flavors.Challenges and successesStarting a business based on tradition wasn’t easy for Mariana. One of her most significant challenges was maintaining the recipe's authenticity while reducing sugar and oil without losing the cake’s exceptional taste and texture. There were many trials and adjustments to find the perfect combination, but each step brought valuable lessons. Another difficulty was finding the right place for homemade desserts in Moldova’s sizeable commercial market. Instead of collaborating with supermarkets or restaurants, Mariana chose to sell directly at local markets and events, creating a close connection with her customers.Participating in events like the Local Producers’ Fair organized by UN Women was a significant step for Mariana. These fairs provided her not only with an opportunity to sell the Babă Neagră dessert but also with a space to meet people, hear their feedback and better understand what they liked about her product. Every conversation with customers helped her improve the recipe and make the dessert even more loved by the public. Recommendations from those who tasted the cake became a highly effective marketing strategy, and thanks to them, Mariana managed to build a loyal customer base that appreciates her products and supports her business.Reflecting on her journey, Mariana says: “At first, I wasn’t sure if people would love Babă Neagră as much as my family. But the enthusiasm and appreciation I saw at the fairs gave me confidence. I realized that traditions can thrive in today’s world.”Mariana believes that entrepreneurship is a path filled with satisfaction but also challenges, requiring a careful balance between business and family life.Recognizing the importance of financial support for growing the business, Mariana sought funding opportunities through local grant programmes. Through entrepreneurial networks and initiatives dedicated to women, she learned about the support available for small producers. With the help of UN Women and the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), she secured a grant to invest in modern equipment and improve her production process."The grant provided by UN Women changed the game for our business,” explains Mariana. “It allowed us to invest in better tools, which made our work more efficient without straying from our traditions. Beyond providing financial support, the programmes connected me with other women entrepreneurs, giving me the confidence and knowledge I needed to grow my business." UN Women supported the producers throughout the entire process. From project planning to meeting organizational requirements, team members confidently helped Mariana and other producers navigate the application process and expand their businesses.The impact of Beijing+30 on empowering womenMariana strongly believes that women entrepreneurs must have access to education, financial resources and effective sales channels to succeed. "Many women have extraordinary ideas and talents, but they hesitate to take the first step,” she says. “I want to tell them: don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are organizations that truly support women in business, offering mentoring, training and funding. You’re not alone on this journey." As her business continues to grow, Mariana aims to increase production and add new varieties to the product line, all while preserving the authenticity and quality of Babă Neagră. Her dream is to keep the family’s traditional taste alive while presenting it to a broader audience. Mariana knows that desserts made with love and respect for tradition can find a special place in modern gastronomy. Thus, every step she takes in developing the business is a tribute to the legacy left by her grandmother and a promise that these authentic flavors will reach as many homes as possible."I dream of the day when this dessert will be recognized internationally as part of our culinary heritage," she says.An entrepreneur’s wish for all women and girls "I wish all women and girls the courage to follow their dreams, the strength to stay true to themselves and the joy of valuing their heritage, no matter the challenges they face,” says Mariana.In 2024, UN Women supported women producers like Mariana through programmes designed to help them develop key business skills. This support focused on marketing, financial education, integration into supply chains, expanding access to larger markets and promoting eco-friendly business models. The programmes also offered the entrepreneurs financial vouchers to access services and purchase necessary equipment. Training sessions were also held, helping the women increase their self-confidence, improve their communication and leadership skills and acquire knowledge to expand their businesses., filtered_html

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., filtered_html

Activist Maria Gavrilcenco from the Republic of Moldova talks about how she uses art as a tool for engaging youth, fostering gender equality and building peace.Animations as a tool to engage youth in combatting disinformationMaria Gavrilcenco, a 24-year-old student from Bender, moved to Chisinau two years ago to pursue her passion for journalism. Determined to create change, she focuses on inspiring and empowering young Moldovans through her work. With each story, Maria strives to amplify voices often overlooked, hoping to encourage her audience to become active agents of change.“I think it is important for young people to be media literate, and to develop critical thinking. However, many aren’t interested in politics or current events. With the overwhelming amount of information out there, we need to find engaging and creative ways to capture their attention,” Maria shares.For Maria, art became the key that would help her convey her messages to a broader audience. “Through illustrated videos, we can raise really important topics but with a sense of humor. My videos have covered things like disinformation, language barriers and fake news. From children to grandparents, everyone understands cartoons – so it felt like I found the key to how to reach everyone.”“Creativity is a powerful form of expression, offering the freedom to share your voice and message in a way that's uniquely yours. Through songs, poetry, and art, you can gently bring awareness to difficult topics like domestic violence, helping to spark conversations and inspire change.”Cross-river dialogue as a tool for breaking barriersMaria explains that it is important to combat disinformation and fake news since it leads to fear and stereotypes, which in the end divides people. To support her illustrations and journalism, Maria received financial support from UN Women with the purpose of enabling cross-river dialogue between journalists from both banks of the river Nistru.“It is through these dialogues that we overcome stereotypes. When people from the two banks, with completely different ideas and perceptions, sit together and exchange opinions and perspectives without conflict – this is how we learn to cooperate and communicate with each other.”For Maria, using art has been a powerful way to promote peace and understanding. She shares, “Animation has been a great tool for me. It creates a space to connect with others without conflict and encourages shared expression.”An example of this is the pair of videos Maria animated with UN Women support, focusing on breaking language barriers and the importance of digital security.A shift in perceptions of women’s rights in MoldovaA key topic of Maria’s animations is the topic of women’s rights, such as in 2024 when she published a video challenging the perception that March 8 is about flowers and gifts. “I explained the origin, how women were advocating for equal rights and protection, but also how there is a Men’s Day in November.”Although Maria herself is young, she thinks she’s seen a shift in attitudes about Gender Equality since she was younger. “Young people in Moldova today are clearly familiar with Gender Equality. Even the relationships are different today than when I was a young teenager; the boys have a greater respect for the girls, and the girls hold more value for themselves. But I will continue promoting Gender Equality, not just through animation but also through my communication with others. Even if you talk to someone who has no idea about gender equality, you will at least have opened the door for them a little.”“I dream that one day, all women and girls will value themselves. That they have the right to a healthy, good relationship with someone who respects them, and that they never settle for less.”, filtered_html

Surrounded by children and by her employees, Hanna is attentive to everything that happens in the small business that she recently opened in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital.  With her quiet determination, Hanna seems like someone who’s always been in control. But the truth is, she has had to fight for every step of the life she is rebuilding. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Hanna was starting over from nothing. A psychologist, teacher, and mother of two, she fled Odesa in Ukraine in February 2022, carrying only her children and the hope of safety. Moldova became her refuge—a place to start again. “Moldova welcomed us with warmth and understanding,” she told me. “It gave me the strength to imagine a future again, even when everything felt uncertain.” Hanna’s hope soon turned into determination. She knew that rebuilding wasn’t just about surviving—it was about creating a future.  “When I looked at my children, I realized they weren’t just starting over—they were growing up in this new reality,” she says. “I wanted to create a space where children like them could thrive, no matter where they came from”. But starting over was no small feat. From finding housing to learning Romanian and adapting to a new culture, every step tested Hanna’s resilience. Yet, in the face of these challenges, she saw more than hardship—she saw an opportunity to create something meaningful, both for refugees and for the community that welcomed her. Hanna’s journey to entrepreneurship was supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in partnership with ACTED, the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development. She was one of 30 participants – refugees and Moldovans—who took part in a livelihoods programme designed to equip participants with business skills. Of these participants, 10 received grants to launch their businesses, including Hanna, who used the funding to bring her vision of Sunny Bunny Kids Hub to life. Now, Sunny Bunny is a space where children aged three to 15 can flourish, no matter where they are coming from. The atmosphere is lively yet calm, with children engaging in art therapy, language classes, and personal development workshops. Hanna, with her 12 years of experience, leads many of the sessions herself, working closely with the children to help them express themselves and build self-esteem. Hanna’s story is a reminder of the power of resilience, community, and hope. It also reflects Moldova’s remarkable generosity during one of the largest refugee crises in recent history. The country’s support has not only offered safety but also empowered individuals like Hanna to rebuild their lives and contribute to their new communities. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, during his recent visit to Moldova, praised Moldova’s efforts, saying, “The people of Moldova have shown the world what it means to stand in solidarity during a crisis. Their kindness is a reminder of our shared humanity.” Hanna’s story is a reflection of this solidarity.  She dreams of expanding Sunny Bunny Kids Hub to reach even more children, creating a space where every child can feel safe and valued. Expanding her vision is no easy task, but one thing is for sure: nothing will stop her from striving for her dreams.   And when the challenges feel overwhelming? “The challenges are immense, but so is the potential,” Hanna says. “When children are supported, educated, and empowered, they’re not just changing their own lives—they’re transforming entire communities. That’s what keeps me going.”, filtered_html