In the village of Razeni, in Moldova’s Ialoveni district, a bold and heartfelt initiative is transforming lives and inspiring an entire community. This is the story of Floare de Cireș (meaning “Cherry Blossom”), a social enterprise launched by the NGO “Eco-Razeni” that blends entrepreneurial innovation with a deep social mission.
Founded in 2012 and strengthened in recent years thanks to support of the European Union through its EU4Business initiative, co-financed by Sweden, Floare de Cires is far more than a catering business. It is a model of inclusion, hope, and dignity. Through this enterprise, young people with disabilities and those from vulnerable backgrounds gain more than a job – they find purpose, skills, and path forward.
A team powered of heart and purpose
Today, Floare de Cires employs 51 people, 30 of whom are young people with disabilities or from disadvantaged social categories. They work as assistant cooks, waiters, event organisers, or in food production for deliveries across the country. For many, it’s their first contact with the labor market or their first experience of genuine social inclusion.
“For me, this experience is extremely important. Here, I’ve learned to work in a team, to communicate, to be responsible. It’s the first time I truly feel useful,” shares Catalin Suhan, one of the employed beneficiaries.
Beyond catering, the enterprise runs a social canteen that provides hot meals daily to hundreds of vulnerable people from three villages in Ialoveni. These meals are prepared professionally and delivered by the same young employees, adding even more meaning to their work.
Floare de Cireș also organises career guidance sessions across the country to identify and inspire future employees. Through interactive workshops, children and teenagers learn about study options, how to present themselves in job interviews, and how to write a effective CVs.
European support, local impact
In 2023, through the East Europe Foundation, Floare de Cires received a EUR 37,500 grant funded by the European Union and Sweden under the project “Harnessing the CSOs’ potential to promote and develop social entrepreneurship in Moldova”. The funding helped equip a modern food production unit, significantly increasing – from 400 to 1,000 people at large events.
“With the funds from the European Union and Sweden, we ere able to buy a new catering vehicle, a professional shock freezer, over 30 bistro tables, and hundreds of wine, champagne flutes, plates, and coffee cups,” explains Sergiu Gurau, founder of the Floare de Cires social business.
Thanks to professional-grade equipment and ongoing staff training, the enterprise now competes on equal terms with commercial HoReCa firms.
“In a small village like Razeni, many young people with disabilities had no hope of ever working. Today, some of them cook for national events, deliver meals to Chisinau, earn salaries, and are proud of themselves. It’s a profound transformation,” says Sergiu Gurau.
A national model of impact
Floare de Cires has become a national model of best practices in social entrepreneurship, recognized not only in Ialoveni but across Moldova. Clients throughout the country choose their catering services not only for the quality of the food, but also for the inspiring human stories behind every dish.
Looking ahead, the team has ambitious plans: to expand its catering services and opening a training centre for practical and theoretical education of future employees.
“Social entrepreneurship isn’t just about business. It’s about building communities, restoring dignity, and transforming lives. That’s what we do in Razeni, every day,” says Sergiu Gurau.
Through its work, Floare de Cires proves that economic stability and social inclusion can go hand in hand – empowering young people with disabilities to participate fully in society and contribute to their communities with pride.
