For one rural entrepreneur, time turned into opportunity with Persp@ctive

For Andrei Cebotaru from the village of Ruseștii Noi, Moldova, entrepreneurship did not start with a well-defined plan, but with a simple observation: free time can become an opportunity. A firefighter from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, Andrei wanted to use his free time more productively and build something of his own.

This is how the idea of a small business was born. Andrei’s enterprise provides cleaning and painting services for various surfaces, including fences, roofs, and paving. It is a practical service, in demand in rural communities, but one that initially raised many questions related to organisation, planning, and development.

An opportunity discovered through people and experiences

Getting involved in volunteer activities brought Andrei into contact with active members of his community. This is how he met Sergiu Gurău, Director of the Eco-Răzeni Association, the organisation implementing the ‘Persp@ctive’ project under the EU4Youth programme.

“I saw the project and looked into it to understand what it was about. I found out that it offers a series of trainings on entrepreneurship and the basics of starting a business, and I decided: if I already have such an idea, why not try attending these trainings?” Andrei recalls.

The Persp@ctive project is implemented with the support of the EU4Youth programme, which helps young people in Moldova and Ukraine to integrate more easily into the labour market. By investing in digital and entrepreneurial skills, EU4Youth provides young people with access to training, mentoring, and practical tools tailored to local realities.

Training that made the difference

Participating in the training changed the way in which Andrei approached his business. Concepts that had previously seemed abstract began to make sense.

“For example, I didn’t even know what a SWOT analysis was, and I didn’t understand why writing a business plan was necessary. I thought you could just keep everything in your head and move forward. However, a business plan is akin to a review. You look back at what you’ve done and see what needs to be done next,” he explains.

For Andrei, the training brought clarity. He began to view his activity in a more structured way and better to understand the steps needed to move forward.

A community that supports growth

Another important aspect of the project was the interaction with other participants. “People who attend know what they want to do and what they need to do, and together we form a community of open-minded people who are always ready to help when needed,” Andrei says.

The exchange of experience, discussions, and mutual support created an environment in which young people do not feel alone in their professional or entrepreneurial development journey.

Persp@ctive was designed to respond to the real needs of young people, especially those from rural areas or vulnerable groups.

“The project was designed to improve digital skills and foster entrepreneurship. Its core topics included increasing young people’s chances on the labour market, improving their understanding of entrepreneurship, and facilitating access to know-how related to youth employability and related skills,” explains Maria Zamurca, Senior Specialist at the Hîncești Employment Office, ANOFM.

Through training sessions and career counselling, Persp@ctive supports young people from rural areas, NEET youth, and young women and men with disabilities in becoming more competitive. The project provides them with concrete tools for employment or for starting their own businesses.

For Andrei Cebotaru, the Persp@ctive experience was one of learning and growth. His message to other young people is clear: “I believe that the biggest failure is not trying to do something. If you dedicate yourself 100% to an activity, no matter what it is, something will come out of it.”

The Persp@ctive project, implemented in Moldova and Ukraine between June 2023 and May 2025, provided practical and theoretical support to young people from six regions in Moldova – Ialoveni, Hâncești, Cantemir, Florești, Fălești, and UTA Găgăuzia – to support career development and entrepreneurial skills. The collaboration between ANOFM, local social assistance services, and the project team ensured that each participant received support tailored to their needs. The total budget of the project was €294,000.