Quarterly Report No. 13: January – March 2015

13: January – March 2015. The report was prepared by Chemonics International Inc. for review by the United States Agency for International Development. The CEED project aims to enhance the competitiveness of Moldova's economy through support to key industries, including apparel, footwear and accessories, information technology, tourism, and wine. The project focuses on improving the business environment, increasing access to finance, and enhancing the skills of entrepreneurs and workers. In the apparel, footwear and accessories sector, the project supported own-label enterprises in developing a corporate identity package, enhancing sales capacity on the local market, and promoting young talents through the development of an Acceleration Center for Fashion startup designers. The project also provided training to over 2,500 farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques, resulting in a 60% increase in crop yields. In the information technology sector, the project adapted ICT education to industry needs, designed the IT Excellence Center, and developed an entrepreneurship culture in IT. The project also enhanced the competitiveness of the IT industry and provided capacity building for the Association of Technology and Information Companies (ATIC). In the tourism sector, the project supported inbound tourism association, consolidated the Moldova Holiday website, and promoted tourism in target markets. The project also organized familiarization tours for foreign tour operators and journalists and developed a tourism pilot zone. In the wine industry, the project supported the institutional capacities of the National Office for Vine and Wine (ONVV) and strengthened its role in the wine sector development. The project also promoted the wine culture, sommelier services, and wine education on the local market and continued support for the legal and regulatory reform in the wine industry. The project's deliverables include the development of a corporate identity package for own-label enterprises, the establishment of the IT Excellence Center, and the promotion of young talents through the Acceleration Center for Fashion startup designers. The project also provided training to over 2,500 farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques and supported the institutional capacities of the ONVV. The project's quantitative results show a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The project also reported a 60% increase in crop yields in the apparel, footwear and accessories sector and a 27% increase in household income in the wine industry. The project's planned activities for April-May 2015 include the development of a business plan for the Acceleration Center for Fashion startup designers, the establishment of a mentorship program for young entrepreneurs, and the promotion of the wine culture and sommelier services on the local market. The project also plans to continue support for the legal and regulatory reform in the wine industry and provide capacity building for the ATIC. The project's technical and administrative support includes project communications, monitoring and evaluation, and administration and finance. The project's level of effort and expenditures report shows a total of 1,200 hours of work completed by the project team during the quarter, with a total expenditure of $250,000.