Over 1500 inhabitants from Gradinari (most of them Roma ethnics)

The project will include an awareness raising campaign on the economic benefits of free association of small farmers; two social enterprises will be setup with at least 70 Roma associates/employees. They will be trained in social business management or qualified for specific jobs they will perform. Facilitation of contracts with big retailers will be undertaken and the CSR departments of such companies will be included in a campaign for more favorable conditions for the small farmers.

2 refrigeration units of minimum 100 m³ each will be installed in a building provided by the local municipality. During the peak season at least 150 tons of vegetables (minimum 300 tones totally in 2 years of project) will be refrigerated in order to avoid the losses caused by oversupply. Also, a technological line for pickling and canning the vegetables will be installed and will be operated by Roma women from community qualified during the project. A guidebook for social entrepreneurs describing the methodology of starting up and developing social businesses on vegetable farming will be designed and launched within a conference.

Achieved results:  

• 1 functional social enterprises (agriculture cooperative) in Gradinari was created
• 8,4 of tons of pickled vegetables sold during the project and 14 tons of vegetables refrigerated from the local harvest.

Phase 7 01.02.2016 - 30.11.2018   (Completed)