Canada and the Republic of Moldova continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship through shared commitments to climate action and gender equality. Both nations are collaborating to build a greener, more inclusive economy that benefits all citizens, especially marginalized groups. In line with these efforts, Canada has announced its support for a new technical assistance project aimed at enhancing climate resilience and empowering women in Moldova.
Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced Canada’s backing for the “Advancing Climate Resilience and Women’s Empowerment in Moldova” initiative. The $6.5 million project, implemented in partnership with the UN Development Programme and UN Women, focuses on supporting rural women entrepreneurs in the agroforestry sector. The initiative aims to equip women from vulnerable communities with specialized skills in climate-smart agriculture and forestry, as well as in leadership and business development.
This investment reflects Canada’s broader commitment to Moldova’s social and economic development. By addressing structural barriers to education and financial access in climate-related sectors, the initiative seeks to promote equitable participation of women in economic growth. Strengthening local capacities through this project will also contribute to long-term community resilience and sustainable development.
The announcement took place at a special event held at the UN Women office in Moldova during Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant’s official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moldova. This new initiative complements Canada’s earlier commitment of a $120-million sovereign loan to Moldova announced in September 2024.
Canada and Moldova have maintained official bilateral relations since 1992 and collaborate actively in various multilateral platforms. Despite ongoing development efforts, significant challenges remain in Moldova, where more than 32% of women lived in poverty in 2023, and the gender wage gap stood at 15.5%. The new Canadian-funded project aims to address these disparities by supporting women’s economic empowerment in climate-resilient sectors.
