A New Chapter for Developing Entrepreneurial Skills in Vocational Education in Moldova
The Center for Entrepreneurial Education and Business Support (CEDA) continues its efforts to transform entrepreneurial education and open new opportunities for young people in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. On November 5, 2024 CEDA has launched the second phase of the CREATIVO project, aimed at stimulating entrepreneurial spirit and encouraging innovation. This new phase is designed to prepare young people not only for employment but also to become entrepreneurial leaders in their communities. CREATIVO II will support 12 VET institutions and run until 2028.
“The Ministry of Education and Research prioritises collaboration between VET institutions and the private sector to align vocational training and qualifications with labour market demands. CREATIVO II aligns with these objectives, supporting innovation and adaptation of educational offerings to integrate young people more effectively into the workforce. We are proud to support this initiative, which promotes relevant and modern education.” shared Galina Rusu, State Secretary, Ministry of Education and Research.
Nadejda Burciu, Country Director, LED appreciated the results achieved in the 1st phase adding that: “The Liechtenstein Development Service confidently supports CREATIVO II, as it is the only project in our portfolio that seeks to develop demand-driven CVET offers. We believe this project will deliver sustainable results because it invests in development of relevant skills, so that young people and adults beneficiaries develop their professional prospects and add value to the national economy.”
Simone Gianluigi Di Stefano, Deputy Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office, added: “CREATIVO II has the potential to fundamentally change vocational and entrepreneurial education in Moldova, preparing young people to become skilled professionals and adaptable entrepreneurs. We support this project because we believe in the power of education to contribute to the sustainable development of society.”
Sorina Donțu-Sarîterzi, the project manager, highlighted the contribution of the new phase: “CREATIVO II builds on the success of the first phase, focusing on developing practical and entrepreneurial skills that prepare young people to face the challenges of the modern labor market.”
The launch event reaffirmed the commitment to developing entrepreneurial education. Participants – representatives from Centers of Excellence, VET institutions, and donors – took part in an interactive workshop led by CEDA, where they generated collaboration ideas and set objectives for 2027, reflected on a symbolic “dream board.” At the end, the teams presented their ideas, emphasising the importance of cooperation between the academic and private sectors and proposing solutions for harnessing the opportunities offered by CREATIVO II.
The first phase of the CREATIVO project had a significant impact in 11 VET institutions, with investments of nearly 5 million MDL and the launch of 11 entrepreneurial initiatives that generated approximately 2 million MDL in revenue. These projects contributed to enhancing practical education and opened new perspectives for students, while also supporting strategic plans and policies for equal opportunities and anti-discrimination.