Republic of Moldova

The National Association of Young Managers of Moldova (ANTiM) and the Global Compact Network Moldova (GCNM) brought together the representatives of the business community to participate in the final round of the National Youth Business Plan Competition, the VIth edition

On April 15, 2008, at 10.00 in the Conference Hall „NISTRU” of the Leogrand Hotel & Convention Centre, Chisinau, within the framework of the Business Forum was held the final round of the National Youth Business Plan Competition, the VIth edition. The National Association of Young Managers (ANTiM), in collaboration with Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) and supported by Global Compact Network Moldova, have organized during January-April 2008 the VIth edition of the National Youth Business Plan Competition (BPC2008). This Competition supports and promotes the innovative ideas of the Moldovan young people that want to develop their own business.

At the Business Forum 7 business plans were presented, among them: the manufacturing of garments with ethnic elements, Accountability services, Premier Credit, Business with Fairy Tales, the Growth of Chinchilia, Divertes Papirus, EcoBric. These business plans were selected based on the criteria established by the Competition’s regulations: originality, innovativeness, social impact etc. The purpose of the forum was to offer the young people the opportunity to present their business ideas in front of prospective partners or investors. The invitees to the final round of the competition were the businessmen - Valeriu Streleţ, Sergiu Cocoş, Radu Eremciuc – and young managers of the national (Moldova Agroindbank, EuroCreditBank, Total Leasing, ProCrediBank etc.) and international (UNION FENOSA, MOLDCELL etc.) companies.

The BPC 2008 edition was supported by the Global Compact Network Moldova (GCNM) representing an important tool for strengthening the relationships among the public sector, civil society and private sector. The collaboration between GCNM and the Competition’s partners represents an example of furthering the Social Corporate Responsibility. Eight companies, GCNM members, have contributed to the holding of this competition: Bioprotect, EuroCreditBank, Arhiconi-Grup, Mobiasbanca Groupe Société Générale, Foto Rapid, Moldova Agroindbank, ENDAVA and Millenium Group.
 
During the forum was also presented the Junior Chamber International (JCI) organization. Moldova joined JCI as a potential member in November 2007, at the International Congress JCI held in Antalya. JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs that contribute to the development of the global community, providing opportunities for development of leadership competencies and social responsibility for fostering the positive change. The president of JCI Chisinau, Vitalie Arvinte, Director of Mercuri International, invited the young managers to join this organization because it offers opportunities for personal development and establishing business relationships with international partners. (www.jci.cc)

The finalists competed for the following category of prizes:
The Main Prize – 25,000 lei and Comfort Prizes – of 5,000 lei each, for other 6 finalists.
Two special prizes were awarded:

1. The Global Compact Network Moldova (GCNM) awarded 11,000 lei to the business plan that adhere to the Global Compact principles. 
2. Winrock International awarded a prize for „The most viable business idea received from the rural area”.

The competition was assisted by: ProCredit Bank S.A, BC „Moldova Agroindbank” SA., ASEM, JCI Moldova, Global Compact Network Moldova, as well as the media partners – the Association of Independent Press (API), KissFM, Avtoradio, Экономическое Oбозрение, BusinessClass, ECO, Curierul Economic and Simpals.

Note: The National Association of Young Managers of Moldova (ANTiM) is a non-governmental organization acting from 1997. The ANTiM goal is to support and develop the managerial spirit of the Moldovan youth. ANTiM’s projects aim to stimulate the youth initiatives for self-employment and self-realization, setting up their own enterprises, and to foster the youth creativity, thus contributing to the development of the local economic environment.

The Global Compact is the world’s largest social corporate responsibility initiative, launched on July 26, 2000 by former UN Secretary General, Kofi A. Annan. So far, the initiative has over 5000 participants from more than 120 countries. The Moldovan network announced about its membership at the end of 2006 and presently has 29 member companies. By signing the GC, companies express their will to respect, promote and improve the good practices, set down as 10 principles classified into four domains: Human Rights, Labor Standards, Environmental Protection and Struggle against Corruption. Global Compact promotes corporate social responsibility and the creation of efficient partnerships between private companies and other social agents for a sustainable and socially equitable economic growth.
Additional information regarding Global Compact in Moldova is available at http://www.undp.md/gc/index.shtml
All information about the competition, regulations, evaluation criteria, prize amount is available on the website www.cbp2008.antim.org.

For any details, please contact:
Aurelia Braguţa, Project Coordinator UNDP, tel.: (373 22) 220 045, ext. 121, e-mail: aurelia.braguta@undp.org
Renat Buga, Executive Director ANTiM, mob 079622699, e-mail: renat.buga@gmail.com