Inotek – EU Innovation Centre Cahul, launched with the support of the European Union and Sweden, celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 17. The event brought together partners, beneficiaries, and members of the local community to celebrate the achievements and significant impact of the Inotek center in promoting innovation and digitalization in the southern region of Moldova.

Over 3000 people from the region, including 51% women, benefited from the 55 initiatives carried out under the umbrella of Inotek in its first year of activity. The anniversary event highlighted success stories of Inotek beneficiaries, discussions on achieved results, and offered partners the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to building a prosperous future for the southern region.

Launched on May 17, 2023, with the support of the European Union and Sweden under the project 'EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul', implemented by the National Association of ICT Companies, Inotek is a modern and friendly space that provides access to advanced technologies, digital tools, training programs, and initiatives to support entrepreneurship.

Evghenia Snitco, Program Coordinator, Embassy of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova: 'Inotek celebrates one year of activity, but we all understand that the journey to this center began four years ago with the launch of the 'EU4Moldova: Startup City Cahul' project. It hasn't been easy, but we managed to overcome all these challenges and together create a Foundation that manages this center in Phase 1. In another year, we will already have a much larger space, with 4 levels, coworking spaces, a room for children, and mothers who want to pursue a career during maternity leave. I believe we will celebrate even greater achievements next year'.

Ana Chirița, Director of Strategic Projects, National Association of ICT Companies: "With an impressive community of beneficiaries involved in programs for children, students, adults, and SMEs, Inotek has become a vital center for the region, providing support and resources tailored to the specific needs of youth, entrepreneurs, and professionals from the southern part of the country. Inotek actually represents a beginning for a broader stage, for a center that will support another five to six thousand people in the coming years."

Inotek was established in partnership with Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University in Cahul, and during its first year of operation, it managed to initiate and consolidate important collaborations with local government authorities, the private sector, and development partners.

Sergiu Cornea, Rector of Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu State University in Cahul: "Inotek has been noted for the multitude and diversity of activities organized for youth from the Cahul district, in which our university students also participated. We hope that with all the necessary resources, Inotek will move to a new stage of development, contributing to the development of the southern region of the Republic of Moldova."

Nicolae Dandiș, Mayor of Cahul: "On the occasion of Inotek's anniversary, I want to thank them for the numerous events and activities organized together; I believe these are beautiful results achieved through joint efforts. I wish them continued success and am confident that

 the set goals will be achieved when there is synergy of efforts and potential in the region."

Through strategic efforts and interventions in key areas, Inotek supports the development of entrepreneurship in the southern region and actively promotes digital transformation in both public and private sectors. The events organized within the center have become a tradition and an important platform for knowledge and experience transfer in current fields, providing the local community access to innovative practices, digital solutions, and opportunities to connect with experts and professionals from various fields.

Aurica Apareci, student at Iulia Hasdeu College in Cahul: "Over the course of a year, Inotek has become a place where my peers and I frequently come to learn, interact with various entrepreneurs, experts in different fields, and this opportunity is a significant source of motivation and inspiration for the younger generation."

Inotek prioritizes the development of human capital in the region, ensuring access to quality education in STEM fields and offering training programs tailored to market trends and labor market requirements. Over 1400 children, young people, and adults from the region have benefited from Inotek's educational programs, developing their digital skills or acquiring specific competencies for new career directions.

Natalia Arman, resident of Cahul city, participant in children's courses: "As a parent who brought my five-year-old child to the Inotek center, I am very pleased with both the child's reaction and the openness of the mentors involved in educational activities. After the first lesson, I asked if she wanted to go again. She replied, 'I will come here for the rest of my life!'"

In the near future, Inotek will continue to expand and enhance its interventions in key areas and strengthen its role in connecting the business community, government authorities, educational institutions, civil society, and the community to achieve important goals in regional development and innovation.

If you want to stay updated on the latest initiatives and progress in technology and innovation in the southern region, we invite you to follow Inotek's activities through their Facebook page and official website at https://inotek.md.