Economic clusters in the Republic of Moldova are becoming a model of competitiveness at the regional level, while the results achieved in terms of turnover, decent jobs, and new products and services are gaining recognition. Thus, 14 clusters have obtained the ESCA Bronze Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence”, while the “Sorintex – Moldova Textile Export” cluster received the Silver Label “Dedicated to Cluster Excellence”, a milestone for the Republic of Moldova.

The role of clusters in driving economic development at community and regional level, the adoption of digital solutions, cooperation between businesses and research institutions, as well as access to European markets and value chains were among the key topics discussed at the second edition of the National Cluster Forum, held in Chișinău on 22 October 2026.

The event was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova, in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, with the support of Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The Forum brought together around 100 representatives of clusters from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and other European countries, alongside public authorities, development partners, businesses, universities and research institutions.

This year’s edition was organized as part of the Interregional Conference “Clusters as Competitiveness Integrators”, held in partnership with the Romanian Cluster Association – CLUSTERO and the European Clusters Alliance.

“For our clusters, cooperation with European partners is an opportunity to learn from tested experience and solutions, find new partners and open doors to other markets. Such discussions and meetings are important because they help us better understand the rules of the game in other markets and turn contacts and ideas into real cooperation opportunities for our companies,” said Alexandru Covali, member of the “Furniture & More” furniture cluster. 

Since 2019, UNDP and its partners – the European Union, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Switzerland – have supported 21 economic clusters on both banks of the Nistru River, in areas such as agri-food, horticulture, beekeeping, tourism, textiles, furniture and other industries. Together, these clusters bring together more than 220 companies and organisations from across the country.

A recent achievement in strengthening Moldova’s cluster ecosystem was the institutionalisation, in 2026, with the support of Switzerland, of three new clusters: the “Perla Nistrului” tourism cluster, the “Miere din Arealul Codrilor” beekeeping cluster and the “Frudova” table grape cluster. Together, they bring together more than 70 members from the business sector, public authorities, associative organisations, and research and education institutions. Their formal establishment creates a clearer framework for cooperation in developing competitive products and services, attracting investment and expanding access to markets.

Over the past year, member companies of the clusters supported by UNDP and its partners recorded a cumulative increase in turnover of more than 10%, maintained around 700 jobs and improved working conditions for another 200 employees. At the same time, more than 10 new products and services were developed or are currently under development.

At the same time, clusters from the Republic of Moldova established more than 10 new international contacts and participated in over five events and economic missions abroad, making progress towards accessing new European markets.

ESCA certification as a sign of European recognition of excellence in cluster management

During the Forum, ESCA certificates were awarded to six clusters from the Republic of Moldova supported by UNDP, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in recognition of their progress in applying European management standards and strengthening their international visibility.

The “Sorintex – Moldova Textile Export” cluster obtained the ESCA Silver Label “Dedicated to Cluster Excellence”, becoming the first cluster in the Republic of Moldova to achieve this level of European recognition.

“This certification represents recognition from the European cluster community, which honours and motivates us to continue evolving, while also encouraging us to set increasingly ambitious goals. It opens up new development opportunities and prospects for international cooperation. For next year, we already have cross-border and national projects planned, and our next objective is to obtain the ESCA Gold Label. I am confident that, through consistent work and perseverance, we will be able to turn this objective into reality,” said Andrei Mîrza, manager of the “Sorintex – Moldova Textile Export” textile cluster.

Five other clusters received the ESCA Bronze Label “Striving for Cluster Excellence”: the “Trade Honey Group” beekeeping cluster, the “Riviera Nistrului” tourism cluster, the “Lower Nistu Vegetable” cluster, the “Golden Grapes Logistics” viticulture cluster and the “Fresh Fruit North” horticultural cluster.

To date, 15 clusters from the Republic of Moldova have undergone the ESCA assessment process, obtaining one Silver Label certification and 14 Bronze Label certifications.

For cluster management organisations, the ESCA Bronze Label helps increase credibility and visibility among national and international partners, while also providing a clear framework for more efficient management, improved services for members and a stronger position within European networks. The ESCA Silver Label represents the next step in the certification process, confirming that the cluster management organisation has implemented concrete improvements and that this progress has been validated through an external assessment.

ESCA, the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis, is the organisation mandated by the European Commission to assess and certify cluster management through the awarding of Cluster Management Excellence Labels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.