Call for Proposals: Inclusive Livelihoods for Vulnerable Women (Moldova)

UN Women Moldova is inviting civil society organizations to implement projects that improve employment and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable women. The initiative focuses on inclusive job access, skills development, childcare support, and systemic labor market reforms. Up to USD 70,000 is available for a project lasting up to 23 months in selected regions of Moldova.

Overview

The UN Women Moldova Office is seeking proposals from civil society organizations to advance women’s economic empowerment.

The program targets structural barriers that limit women’s participation in the workforce, especially among vulnerable groups. It combines employment support, institutional strengthening, and community-level interventions to create long-term impact.

The initiative aligns with:

• UN Women Country Strategic Note 2023–2027
• National development priorities of Republic of Moldova
• Global gender equality and economic inclusion frameworks

Target Regions

The project will focus on:

• Hîncești
• Cimișlia

These regions have a high need for inclusive employment programs and livelihood support systems.

Key Objectives

The program aims to improve women’s participation in the labor market through:

1. Expanding Inclusive Employment Opportunities

• Promote access to decent and flexible jobs
• Support women transitioning into employment
• Enable pathways to self-employment and entrepreneurship

2. Addressing Structural Barriers

Projects must tackle:

• Limited access to quality jobs
• Lack of affordable childcare services
• Gender stereotypes and social norms
• Skills gaps and outdated qualifications

3. Skills Development and Vocational Training

• Improve access to relevant training programs
• Align skills with market demand
• Support re-skilling and upskilling initiatives

4. Strengthening Family-Friendly Services

• Encourage development of childcare solutions
• Promote work-life balance policies
• Support women with caregiving responsibilities

5. Institutional Capacity Building

• Strengthen public institutions to deliver inclusive employment services
• Improve coordination across stakeholders
• Enhance service delivery for vulnerable women

Target Beneficiaries

The project prioritizes women facing multiple barriers, including:

• Women with disabilities
• Women with caregiving responsibilities
• NEET women (Not in Employment, Education, or Training)
• Women in rural or disadvantaged areas

Funding Details

• Total funding: Up to USD 70,000
• Project duration: Up to 23 months
• Implementation period: July 2026 – May 2028

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants:

• Civil society organizations registered in Moldova

Requirements:

• Proven experience in gender equality
• Demonstrated work in women’s economic empowerment
• Capacity to implement multi-stakeholder projects

Project Design Requirements

Proposals must include:

1. Integrated Program Approach

• Combine skills development, job placement, and self-employment pathways
• Go beyond traditional employment support

2. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Engage:

• Public institutions
• Private sector companies
• Local authorities
• Community organizations

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Clear indicators and outcomes
• Impact measurement systems
• Data-driven reporting

4. Sustainability and Scalability

• Long-term impact strategy
• Replicable models for other regions
• Policy-relevant insights

5. Risk and Communication Planning

• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Communication and visibility plan

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Confirm organizational eligibility (CSO registered in Moldova)
2. Identify target groups and local needs in Hîncești or Cimișlia
3. Design a comprehensive employment and livelihood program
4. Develop:
   • Workplan (up to 23 months)
   • Budget (within USD 70,000)
   • Monitoring and evaluation framework
5. Build partnerships with stakeholders
6. Include sustainability and scaling strategy
7. Submit proposal to UN Women Moldova Office

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Relevance to program objectives
• Innovation and comprehensiveness of approach
• Feasibility and implementation capacity
• Potential for long-term impact
• Strength of partnerships
• Monitoring and evaluation quality

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Focusing only on job placement without systemic solutions
• Ignoring childcare and care-related barriers
• Weak stakeholder collaboration
• Lack of measurable outcomes or monitoring plan
• No sustainability or scalability strategy
• Generic proposals not tailored to target regions

Why This Opportunity Matters

This initiative addresses one of the most critical development challenges—women’s economic exclusion.

It contributes to:

• Increased female labor force participation
• Reduced gender inequality in employment
• Stronger local economies
• Improved livelihoods for vulnerable women
• More inclusive and responsive labor market systems

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Focus on practical, real-world employment outcomes
• Address multiple barriers simultaneously
• Include innovative and flexible employment models
• Demonstrate strong local partnerships
• Provide clear evidence of impact and sustainability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for this funding?

Civil society organizations registered in Moldova with experience in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

2. What is the funding amount?

Up to USD 70,000 for one project.

3. What is the project duration?

Up to 23 months, from July 2026 to May 2028.

4. Which regions are targeted?

Hîncești and Cimișlia districts in Moldova.

5. What types of activities are expected?

Integrated programs including skills training, employment support, childcare solutions, and institutional capacity building.

6. Who are the main beneficiaries?

Vulnerable women, including NEET women, women with disabilities, and those with caregiving responsibilities.

7. What makes a strong proposal?

A comprehensive, scalable, and collaborative approach with measurable impact and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

The UN Women Moldova call for proposals offers a strategic opportunity to design impactful, inclusive employment solutions for vulnerable women. By combining skills development, institutional reform, and community engagement, selected projects will help create sustainable pathways to economic independence while shaping more inclusive labor market systems across Moldova.