On June 17, 2025, in Cahul, the new Inotek – EU Innovation Centre Cahul – was officially inaugurated, marking the launch of the largest innovation, education, and entrepreneurship hub in southern Moldova.
The event brought together high-level officials, representatives of the European Union and Sweden, central and local public authorities, leaders from academia and business, development partners, and active members of the community.

Created with financial support from the European Union, in partnership with Sweden, and implemented by ATIC in collaboration with Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University of Cahul and Cahul Municipality, Inotek represents a strategic investment in infrastructure, human capital, and the digital future of the region. The project is also supported by the UMAEF Fund, the Government of Switzerland, the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED), UN Women, Cahul Municipality, and Orange Moldova.

“We are investing in young people, including with European support – 15 such centers have been created across the country, equipped with advanced labs and spaces for teamwork. Young people from Cahul will be able to network, bring their innovative ideas to life, and have a solid place at home for their professional development,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean during the opening.

“The establishment of the regional Inotek Innovation Centre in Cahul is one of the key outcomes of the €6.8 million Startup City Cahul project. It is a way to harness development opportunities and increase the competitiveness of the Cahul region and southern Moldova overall. The launch of the new Inotek Centre is just the beginning. It is the seed ready to grow and thrive within the EU’s vibrant and dynamic regional and digital ecosystem. As Moldova progresses on its path toward EU accession, strong local infrastructure for learning, innovation, and growth is vital to ensure no one is left behind,” stated Jānis Mažeiks, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova.

“This is a truly special moment – not only because we are celebrating the opening of the largest innovation hub in southern Moldova, but also because we are marking the result of five years of shared vision, effort, and trust. What we see here is not just a center – it is a symbol of a growing, connected, and confident community. Personally, being here today – near the end of my mandate – is a real gift. It is a privilege to begin and end my mission in Moldova with such a milestone. I hope this space becomes the heart of innovation in the South – a place where talent meets opportunity, where young people dare to dream, and where every idea has a chance to come to life,” said Katarina Fried, Ambassador of Sweden to Moldova.

Inotek – A Space for Growing Skills, Ideas, and People

The new center offers a modern, multifunctional space dedicated to digital education, professional training, and support for entrepreneurship and innovation. Children, youth, and adults in southern Moldova will benefit from access to advanced technologies, hands-on learning, and STEM programs aligned with current labor market demands.

“Inotek will bring technologies and innovative solutions to meet the development needs of the region, offering people of all ages and interests real opportunities for professional advancement and business growth. By connecting ideas, people, and institutions with the right resources and infrastructure, Cahul will become a thriving environment for testing, launching, and scaling innovation, with a direct and lasting impact on the community,” stated Ana Chirița, Director of Strategic Projects at ATIC.

Inotek directly contributes to building a new generation of technology professionals, offering youth in the region the chance to build careers locally, in partnership with academic institutions and local companies.

“Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” State University of Cahul places great hope in the activities of the Inotek Centre. We hope our students, faculty, and children from the region will engage in the center’s programs and gain IT skills there. We believe Inotek will become an important hub that will drive the economic development of the region.”

Local Entrepreneurs, Supported to Go Digital

Inotek is becoming a catalyst for regional entrepreneurship by offering SMEs and startups in southern Moldova access to modern workspaces, training, mentorship, expert consulting, and grants for digital transformation. Local entrepreneurs can implement technological solutions that boost efficiency, expand market access, and support sustainable development.

More and more women entrepreneurs in the region are finding Inotek to be a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment that provides practical assistance and visibility. In this way, the center helps strengthen a competitive and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in the community’s real needs.

A Driver of Digital Transformation in Southern Moldova

Through partnerships with local authorities and public institutions, Inotek actively contributes to regional modernization by providing digital tools and expertise. The center’s programs support the development of digital skills in governance, education, and business, accelerating the digital transformation process and enabling more effective governance and accessible services.

“We now have every chance to become the capital of innovation with the opening of this center. I firmly believe in our region’s tremendous potential, and it’s important that Cahul becomes the engine for broader regional development. I hope this center becomes an incubator of ideas that find real-world application in the private sector and local administration, aligning with the national digital transformation priorities,” stated Nicolae Dandiș, Mayor of Cahul Municipality.

An Event of National Importance

The official launch of the new Inotek Centre included strategic panels, guided tours, interactive exhibitions, tech demonstrations, and discussions on education, women’s leadership, digital governance, and entrepreneurial development. The event reflected the region’s potential and celebrated the people, initiatives, and ideas shaping the future of southern Moldova.

About the “EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” Project

The project is funded by the European Union, in partnership with Sweden, and implemented by ATIC with the goal of strengthening the digital economy in the southern region. Over five years of implementation, the project has delivered significant results: over 20,000 students engaged in STEM education, more than 1,000 teachers trained, 15 digital labs created, 38 SMEs digitally trained, 22 entities supported with digitalization grants, and a vibrant community shaped through over 100 events focused on skills development, innovation, and inclusion.