“Warm in winter, cool in summer”
Addressing poverty and reducing dependency on fossil fuels while empowering local communities in Moldova through tailored energy-saving measures.
In Moldova, most people live in rural areas and rely on wood or charcoal to heat poorly insulated homes. Recognising the potential for positive change, SKAT developed a project to improve living conditions, enhance energy efficiency and reduce emission, while actively involving local communities. This project on Energy efficiency became a component of the Mă Implic project that SKAT implements, together with its local team and partners, on behalf of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Office (SDC).
This project combines SKAT’stechnical expertise with capacity-building efforts, fostering knowledge-sharing and empowering local communities to implement sustainable solutions. Our tailored interventions and willingness to explore new approaches, enabled us to initiate lasting change for Moldova’s rural populations.
The project began in 2023 with the renovation of 400 private homes, each assessed individually to identify the most effective energy-saving measures, achieving over 30% energy savings. Eight public buildings were also renovated and photovoltaic systems installed on ten public buildings. SKAT documented findings and lessons learnt and shared them with key stakeholders such as homeowners, authorities, and craftspersons. These efforts culminated in the nationwide awareness campaign “Warm in winter, cool in summer,” which provided practical insights on energy efficiency through knowledge products, leaflets, videos and social media posts. The campaign received strong support from local and national authorities, especially in light of the then ongoing energy crisis. The valuable partnership with the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED), from the Moldovan government, helped extend the reach and impact of the campaign.
Piloting alternatives for water infrastructure
In response to the demand from local communities, SKAT further expanded the Mă Implic project in 2024 to enhance water supply.
Within the framework of the Mă Implic project, SKAT improved water supply systems in four partner municipalities. Their residents have identified this as a priority and are actively contributing, including financially. Up to 10’000 people are expected to benefit from the improved services.
Building on more than fifteen years of experience in water infrastructure development across Moldovan villages, we are leveraging our expertise and network to support this initiative. SKAT is leading the design, construction, and upgrading of water systems while working closely with local water operators and strengthening their capacities through targeted support.
