EU grant fuels Moldova entrepreneurship switch to custom packaging
An entrepreneurship workshop producing custom packaging for cakes, pastries, and other confectionery items has been operating for almost three years in Răspopeni, a village in the Șoldănești district of the Republic of Moldova.
This success story of Moldova rural entrepreneurship was developed with the crucial financial backing of the European Union (EU) through a Local Action Group (GAL) called "Trei Coline."
The venture is led by Cătălina Ioncu, a young businesswoman. She initially launched her small business making custom decorations from plywood, wood, and acrylic glass. When market requirements shifted, the workshop strategically adapted, transforming into a specialized unit focused on manufacturing customized confectionery packaging.
"I founded the business in 2022 and received an initial EU grant from the GAL 'Trei Coline,' which allowed me to purchase a high-precision laser cutting machine," Cătălina Ioncu said. "We began with decorations, signs, and wooden clocks, but customer demand quickly shifted our focus toward trays and cake packaging. As demand grew, so did we."
Subsequently, the entrepreneur secured a second grant, enabling the purchase of machinery for producing specialized cardboard boxes. To shorten the distance to clients and build trust, a physical shop was opened. "The customer comes, sees the product, evaluates the quality, and is much more convinced. Things are progressing well now," she noted.
Ioncu sees growing market competition not as a threat, but as a positive motivation. "We work directly with people. The product’s quality matters immensely, but so does how you treat the customer. Seriousness and reliability are essential, especially when clients require urgent orders," she explained.
Maintaining quality standards led the business to bypass middlemen and begin directly importing the necessary raw materials. "During the war in Ukraine, suppliers stopped delivering materials of reliable quality, and we faced supply chain problems," Ioncu added. "Now we import ourselves, guaranteeing the quality. We constantly refine the product, ensuring there's always something new to surprise the client."
Currently, four employees work in the workshop, and further development plans are already in place. The next step is acquiring equipment for advanced personalization of cardboard packaging. "More and more customers want uniquely personalized products. We can already do this for trays and lids, but for the cardboard boxes, we need a new machine," the entrepreneur stated.
Cătălina Ioncu is a direct beneficiary of the "Europe for Moldova – Local Communities" program, an EU-funded initiative launched in 2021. The program aimed to improve the quality of life in several districts across the country by supporting local businesses, modernizing infrastructure, and creating new jobs. The project officially concluded this year.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
