Moldova Small Business Assoc. Fights Corruption

Hello Friends of FSEA, 

In my last project update I explained the momentum we had coming into the new year and talked of all the possibilities we had coming before us. Now I would like to update you on the exciting moves of the last few months and how you can support us in solidifying and expanding these gains.

In the last months FSEA has been updating and ratifying our Strategic Direction for the next year. From this we have laid the groundwork to launch a number of new programs and initiatives towards our underlying goal of supporting an honest, transparent environment for Small Business in Moldova. All of these programs are meant to create additional sustainability for FSEA while focusing on our core mission to support Small Businesses standing together against corruption, bureacracy and in support for a brighter future. 

Dedicated Legal Team - Starting from May FSEA has hired a dedicated legal team to support our members. This firm will support FSEA in understanding new laws and disseminating them in simple language for members to understand them and to lend their voice in support or opposition. Furthermore, the legal team will support FSEA in turning ideas for new reforms and initiatives into actionable legal propositions for Government consideration.  

Committees of Interest - To give direction to the legal team FSEA's 45 members will be given the opportunity to join Committees of Common Interest. These Committees will form around crutial issues like Customs, Small Corruption, specific industries, Taxes and more. Through these groups FSEA will further organize our advocacy activities and stregnthen our voices on commun issues. 

Business Breakfasts - FSEA will continue our activity of bringing companies together with key government officials in direct communication over a "Business Breakfast" event. Recent events have included the head of the National Agency on Food and Workplace Safety (ANSA) and representatives of the Tax Athorities (FISC). Upcoming events will include the head of the The Moldovan Investment and Export Promotion Organization (MEIPO) and representatives of the Ministry of Economy. At each of these events members can have a frank discussion and Q&A with high level officials to understand policy changes and give their opionions about the direction of the country. 

New Hire: Director for Fundraising and Member Programs - In a typical membership based organization only 50% of funding comes from member dues. FSEA wants to follow the pattern of US based organizations and diversify our funding streams through community and member engagement. We will be hiring a person to manage programs for members and non-members involving business trainings, webinars and more, in order to create more sustainable funding for FSEA while providing high value programs for members. As an organization of entrepreneurs FSEA will being our diverse and creative voices together to forge new plans for financial independence. By the end of the year we expect these efforts to substantially reduce our need for individual donations to support our activities. 

These new directions are in addition to all of the advocacy and networking work we already do on behalf of our members. To support this growth of activities our team is working hard and with intense focus on our common vision of FSEA as a strong and sustainable organization. Like any small business there come points when you must invest in growth to become stable and self sustaining. This is one of those times. We thank you all for having donated in the past and ask for your continued support as we build a strong future for FSEA, our members and through our work for Small Business in Moldova. 

Thank you all,  

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