The Deutsche Sparkassenstiftung für Internationale Kooperation e.V. started in September 2020 the project “Social-ecological transformation of rural areas by improving financial access for climate-adaptive measures in the Republic of Moldova”, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Sparkassenstiftung Moldova (GSM).

In January 2026, this country project has been converted as one part into a larger, regional project under the title: Just Transition: Regional project on the sustainable transformation of the financial sectors of Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

The Overall Objective of this new project is to advance the Just Transition – Sustainable transformation of the financial sectors in Albania, Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia.

The Specific Objective is to build and expand local capacities for inclusive and resilient financial systems, including the development of competencies for the application of ESG principles, strengthening financial inclusion of MSMEs and the population through the promotion of financial and entrepreneurial education, and enhancing the effective use of financial services.

The Project Target Group includes:

• National and central banks
• Financial sector associations
• Financial institutions on the supply side
• Educational institutions
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• MSMEs and the general population, with a focus on young people
• Rural populations and women

The objective is to be achieved by obtaining the following results:

Result 1:
The capacities of selected financial institutions and financial sector associations to provide adequate services supporting the sustainable transformation of financial systems have been strengthened.

Result 2:
The regulatory and institutional framework conditions for international Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, as well as their implementation, have improved.

Result 3:
The conditions enabling the participation of target groups in the financial and economic system have improved through measures in financial and entrepreneurial education, taking into account environmental and social aspects

Result 4:
Regional exchange among stakeholders is utilized to ensure knowledge transfer and the effective use of synergies and best-practice approaches.

The target system and the desired outcomes apply to the entire regional project and to all participating countries. This means that the individual desired outcomes should not and cannot be pursued and achieved in every single country to the full extent.

The project and GSM will continue the cooperation all partners and will implement all activities in line with the closed agreements and the planning.