Women Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025 joins Chișinău’s largest autumn fair

For the fourth consecutive year, women entrepreneurs and small producers from across Moldova, including Găgăuzia, the Transnistrian region, and refugee women from Ukraine, came together under one roof for the Women Producers Fair, held within Chișinău’s iconic Farmer’s Market from 16-19 October, as part of the Women Entrepreneurship EXPO 2025.

Over four days, more than 4,000 visitors explored the fair, connecting with 50 women entrepreneurs who showcased and sold their products - from dairy and pasteurized fruit goods to interior design pieces, jewelry, and clothing.

On 16 October, UN Women Moldova and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Moldova co-hosted the “Satellite 2025 – Unlocking Market Opportunities for Women Producers” event, as part of the opening of the Local Women Producers’ Fair. More than 70 participants, including women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and retail partners, joined the discussion on how women’s active participation in value chains drives economic development and strengthens local resilience. 

Among the standout voices was Oana Păun, a 19-year-old entrepreneur from Chișinău and founder of Recycline, a green startup that transforms plastic waste into design pieces. Păun leads community engagement and awareness initiatives focused on plastic recycling and sustainability, coordinating educational campaigns and youth programmes that promote responsible consumption and circular practices. “We started Recycline with a simple vision: to turn plastic into beauty, and waste into opportunity. This event gave us the visibility, connections, and platform we needed to share that vision with a wider community,” said Păun.

Sergiu Harea, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of women’s role in business and Moldova’s economic future.”Women entrepreneurs have already demonstrated remarkable success in building their own enterprises. Their participation is essential as Moldova moves toward joining the European family, where fair competition and institutional support foster sustainable growth.”

Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative, echoed this sentiment. “The diversity of products presented by women producers is a true reflection of their creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit. This event is part of a broader regional initiative that connects women entrepreneurs and producers across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, promotes women’s economic empowerment, and encourages the business community in creating equal opportunities for all.”

Victoria Gulpe, founder of Granoleya – a startup focusing on producing homemade granola, Granoleya – has already taken part in several local fairs and benefited from training programmes. “Now, we’re scaling up and preparing for export. Events like this are incredibly valuable. They help us meet new clients, reconnect with loyal customers, and build genuine relationships. Such events are also a great platform to launch new products, like our gluten-free Granoleya line,” Gulpe concluded.

Launched in 2021, the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO is a unique partnership platform to promote women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem building in the Europe and Central Asia region. EXPO provides an interactive space for women entrepreneurs, investors and private sector representatives for networking and collaboration, peer learning, ideas generation, capacity building and business development. EXPO 2025 is organized by UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Business Angels Network (EBAN) and Women in Tech Global.