On June 17, 2025, the official inauguration of the new Inotek – EU Innovation Centre Cahul will take place, marking it as the largest innovation and technology excellence center in southern Moldova. The center has been created with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with Sweden, the National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC), and the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu” State University of Cahul. Additional partners include the UMAEF Fund, the Government of Switzerland, UN Women, the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED), and the Cahul City Hall.

The new Inotek is the culmination of a five-year period during which the “EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” project actively contributed to developing the regional digital ecosystem through investments in STEM education, entrepreneurial training, support for local businesses, and community events. The launch of the center’s first phase in 2021 laid the foundation for an engaged community and proved the region’s potential to become a true innovation hub.

"The European Union invests where others often do not – closing gaps created by market failures and unlocking the true potential of regions like Cahul. It is a place rich in talent, fertile land, and authentic cultural heritage, with hardworking people and promising economic prospects, including untapped tourism. The new EU Innovation Centre – Inotek is a cornerstone of our efforts to connect local potential with European opportunities – supporting innovation, education, and entrepreneurship in southern Moldova. As Moldova progresses on its path to EU accession, a strong local infrastructure for learning, innovation, and development is essential to ensure inclusive growth," stated Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova.

Katarina Fried, Swedish Ambassador to Moldova, said: “Inotek is launching at exactly the right moment, after five years of consistent efforts to prepare the local context, educate a generation interested in IT, and promote entrepreneurial spirit in the region. Although the journey of digital transformation in southern Moldova is ongoing, the progress is visible and full of potential. Inotek will play a key role as a catalyst – bringing together youth, entrepreneurs, and institutions in a space designed to explore new ideas, access modern tools, and develop future-oriented skills. This is possible thanks to the joint efforts of the European Union and Sweden, working together under the spirit of #TeamEurope. Inotek now becomes the 15th innovation center launched in Moldova with the support of Sweden.”

The New Inotek Will Enhance the Role of Technology in Regional Development

Inotek aims to transform the Cahul region into a hub for innovation and digitalization, providing the infrastructure, knowledge, and organizational culture necessary for people to create, learn, and grow in their own communities. Over the next two years, with the support of development partners, more than 4,000 students will benefit from Inotek’s STEM programs, and over 1,000 adults and entrepreneurs will take part in training and community activities.

Within Inotek, the community will benefit from numerous opportunities, including:

• Local access to advanced technologies – Inotek will provide modern equipment for applied learning, product development, and solution testing.

• Relevant educational programs – Children and youth in the south will gain access to quality STEM education, while adults will benefit from digital skills development.

• Support for local entrepreneurs – Startups and SMEs will access coworking spaces, mentoring, partner networks, know-how, and support initiatives.

• Regional digital transformation – By developing digital skills and supporting institutions, authorities, and entrepreneurs in adopting technologies tailored to the local context.

• Inclusion and equity – Dedicated programs for women and girls will expand their participation in the digital economy.

Ana Chirița, Strategic Projects Director at ATIC: “Inotek will bring technology and innovative solutions to support the region’s development needs, offering real opportunities for personal development, professional growth, and business expansion to people of all ages and interests. By connecting ideas, people, and institutions with the right resources and infrastructure, Cahul will become an active environment for testing, launching, and scaling innovation, with direct and lasting impact on the community.”

A National and Internationally Relevant Event

The official launch of the new Inotek will bring together representatives from the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, Sweden, development partners, local public administration, academia, business leaders, and active community members from the southern region.

The event will provide a comprehensive platform for strategic dialogue and interinstitutional cooperation, highlighting how innovation and technology can transform entire regions. The agenda includes guided center tours, interactive demos, thematic panels focused on digitalization, education, female leadership, and regional entrepreneurship. In addition, there will be hands-on workshops and exhibitions showcasing the creativity of youth, startups, and community initiatives contributing to the sustainable development of southern Moldova.
See the detailed event agenda [here].

Participation is free, with prior registration required. Join the event by completing the registration form [here].

About the “EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” Project

Funded by the European Union in partnership with Sweden and implemented by ATIC, the “EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” project aims to strengthen the potential of the digital economy in the southern region and increase its competitiveness and investment attractiveness.

Key achievements of the project include:

• Impact in STEM education: over 20,000 students and 1,000 teachers involved, and 15 digital labs created.

• Support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem: 38 SMEs digitally trained, 22 business, public, and civil society entities accessed grants for digitalization.

• The local community benefited from 100 events and numerous initiatives supporting business development, career guidance, and the inclusion and promotion of women in IT.

The creation and launch of the new Inotek marks a milestone that consolidates these efforts and amplifies the results achieved, providing the necessary infrastructure and resources to further advance digital transformation and sustainable development in southern Moldova.

Un eveniment cu relevanță națională și internațională

Ceremonia oficială de lansare a noului Inotek va reuni reprezentanți ai Guvernului Republicii Moldova, ai Uniunii Europene, ai Suediei, ai partenerilor de dezvoltare, ai administrației publice locale, precum și lideri din mediul academic, de afaceri, alături de membri activi ai comunității din regiunea de sud.

Evenimentul va oferi un cadru amplu pentru dialog strategic și cooperare interinstituțională, punând în lumină modul în care inovația și tehnologia pot transforma regiuni întregi. Agenda include tururi ghidate ale centrului, demonstrații interactive, paneluri tematice axate pe digitalizare, educație, leadership feminin și antreprenoriat regional. Totodată, vor avea loc sesiuni practice și expoziții care reflectă potențialul creativ al tinerilor, al startupurilor și al inițiativelor comunitare care contribuie la dezvoltarea durabilă a sudului Moldovei. Vedeți agenda detaliată a evenimentului aici.

Participarea este gratuită, cu înregistrare prealabilă. Vă invităm să vă alăturați evenimentului completând formularul de înscriere aici.

Despre Proiectul „EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul”

Realizat cu sprijinul financiar al Uniunii Europene în parteneriat cu Suedia și implementat de ATIC, Proiectul „EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul” are drept scop consolidarea potențialului economiei digitale în regiunea sud și sporirea competitivității și atractivității sale pentru investiții.

Printre rezultatele importante ale proiectului se numără impactul în educația STEM – peste 20.000 de elevi și 1.000 de profesori implicați și 15 laboratoare digitale create – precum și sprijinul acordat ecosistemului antreprenorial: 38 de IMM-uri instruite digital, 22 de entități din mediul de afaceri, public și civil au valorificat granturi pentru digitalizare, iar comunitatea locală a beneficiat de 100 de evenimente și numeroase inițiative de susținere a dezvoltării afacerilor, orientare în carieră, implicarea și promovarea femeilor în domeniul IT și alte intervenții.

Crearea și lansarea noului Inotek marchează o etapă care consolidează aceste eforturi și amplifică rezultatele obținute, oferind infrastructura și resursele necesare pentru a duce mai departe transformarea digitală și dezvoltarea durabilă a sudului Moldovei.