USAID - ATIC ICT Excellence Center Tekwill 2016-2023

The project ICTEC Excellence Centre (Tekwill) is carried out the by the Association of IT Companies in Moldova (ATIC). Initially funded by USAID, Sweden joined in the second year of operations, in September 2016. The Swedish funds to the project are channelled through USAID. In addition, ATIC has been very successful in raising financial support from other sources, such as UN Women, UNDP, private sector, and Moldovan public funding.  To many people in Moldova, IT companies and tech-students alike, Tekwill has become synonymous to ICT and Innovation.  Tekwill has contributed to: - The ICT sector exceeded planned growth expectations as identfied in the ICT Development Strategy 2018-2023, reaching a share of 3.1% of GDP (increase of over 3 times the revenues of annual sales from 2015-2019). The ICT Sector has seen an increase in number of companies (from 1,700 to 2,300) and of the employed staff - from 21,300 people to 29,600 people, ensuring the best level of salary in the economy. - With the fiscal regime of the IT Park, over 600 resident companies registered an average salary of about 1,685 USD (29 thousand MDL per month). Thus, it became the motivation for highly qualified IT engineers to stay in the country, who significantly contributes to economic growth based on digital innovation. - Chisinau was named the city of the year in Southeast Europe for supporting and developing the IT sector. The capital won the "Emerging city of the year in SEE" award.  - Further development and implementation of Tekwill in Every School Program, Startup Moldova, regional feasibility, private sector engagement initiative, as well as consolidation of existing Tekwill Academy, Tekwill Academy Kids and Workforce Development initiatives, recharge of FabLab and responsive programs to support ecommerce and IT for non-IT. - Analysis of context and possibility for sub-national extension of Tekwill was conducted.  - Moldova Startup Programme encouraged the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The three major programs under one umbrella carry out several projects based on IT innovations: "Digital Upgrade" that provides collaboration between IT and non-IT businesses; "Impact" that researches and identifies problems in key sectors of the national economy and suggest solutions; "Creative Growth" that ensures access to education and professional programs, financing, assistance in piloting business ideas, and connects them to global markets and cooperation with similar programs. In 5 months since the launching, the program helped over 1827 local entrepreneurs. - Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the activities moved online as of March 2020. A study was conducted to identify the impact of Covid-19-pandemic restrictions on the ICT sector. It was noted that the ICT sector managed OK with the new situation and context.    To secure long-term sector growth, Tekwill utilizes a public-private partnership model to forge synergistic relations with the Moldovan Government, private industry, academia, and donors.    The reporting period is October 1, 2019-September 30, 2020 - Year 5 of implementation (USAID-ATIC Agreement)

The overall goal is to enhance the competitiveness of the ICT sector in the Republic of Moldova by creating a viable ICT entrepreneurship ecosystem. Project Outcomes: 1. To make a significant impact on Moldovan economy by accelerating the growth of IT industry and creating new well-paid jobs; 2. Triple Moldovas IT export potential over five years through contributing to the development of the SME sector and creating a favourable environment for entrepreneurship development; 3. To further improve Moldovas image and put Moldova on the map as a world-class center for IT innovation and entrepreneurship; 4. To increase the competitiveness of the ICT sector and the economy as a whole, through knowledge sharing and forging viable partnerships abroad; 5. To create premises for more young people to choose and IT-related career, in particular girls and women, through early stage support, skills development and entrepreneurship; 6. Link the Moldovan IT Community to global resources.