Introduction

With the support of the Government of Denmark, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is implementing the regional project “Greening the Future, Advancing Rights and Stability: Spurring an Inclusive and Green Transition with Responsive Governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood Region”, which aims to accelerate the green transition in the Republic of Moldova by promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening compliance with national energy efficiency legislation.

Within this framework, UNDP, is launching a competitive selection process to identify 12 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that will benefit from fully funded energy audit services. Under this program, UNDP will directly contract accredited energy audit companies to conduct energy audits for the selected SMEs. No financial grants or reimbursements will be provided directly to beneficiary companies.

Energy auditing is a key instrument of the national energy efficiency policy framework and serves as a practical tool for identifying energy-saving opportunities, improving operational efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While mandatory energy audit obligations apply to certain categories of enterprises under the Law on Energy Efficiency, many SMEs remain outside the scope of mandatory requirements and face financial and technical barriers to voluntarily conducting energy audits. At the same time, according to the EU Directive 2023/1791 on energy efficiency, enterprises with an average annual consumption higher than 10 TJ of energy over the previous three years, taking all energy carriers together, which do not implement an energy management system are subject to an energy audit. Thus, this program aims to address these barriers by providing access to high-quality audit services without imposing financial costs on the selected companies.

The selection process will prioritize SMEs with significant energy consumption and strong potential for energy performance improvements, including enterprises operating in energy-intensive sectors or providing essential goods and services to the population. Selected SMEs will receive a comprehensive energy audit report, including an assessment of current energy use, identification of inefficiencies, and a set of technically and economically justified recommendations for energy efficiency improvements.

All energy audits delivered under this program will be conducted in full compliance with the national legal and quality assurance framework, including the Government Decision no. 676/2020 on Energy Efficiency and the Regulation on Energy Auditors and Energy Auditing. Energy audit services will be provided exclusively by companies employing accredited energy auditors registered in the Electronic Register of Energy Auditors managed by CNED. Upon completion, audit reports will be submitted to CNED for verification and validation of quality and compliance.

Overall Purpose

The Energy Audit Support Program aims to support selected SMEs in the Republic of Moldova in complying with national energy efficiency legislation by facilitating the timely and high-quality completion of energy audits.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the program are to:

Reduce financial barriers associated with conducting energy audits for SMEs; Promote the adoption of energy efficiency measures and energy management systems; Contribute to reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational costs in key economic sectors; Strengthen cooperation between public authorities, the private sector, and development partners in advancing national energy efficiency objectives. The adoption of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy–based technologies offer small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a range of tangible benefits that directly support business sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term resilience. Conducting an energy audit represents a first and essential step in identifying these benefits and translating them into concrete actions. Key advantages include:

Reduction of operational and energy costs The implementation of energy efficiency measures - such as thermal insulation of buildings, modernization of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, or optimization of production processes - can significantly reduce electricity and fuel consumption. In the context of rising energy prices, these savings provide SMEs with greater financial stability and predictability, allowing resources to be reallocated toward core business activities, workforce development, or innovation. Well-targeted energy efficiency measures can lead to energy cost reductions of 20–40%, depending on the sector and baseline consumption.

Improved reliability of operations and working conditions Energy audits help identify inefficiencies that may affect equipment performance, indoor climate, or production continuity. Improvements such as better temperature control, upgraded lighting, and improved ventilation systems contribute to safer, healthier, and more comfortable working environments for employees. Enhanced indoor conditions can increase productivity, reduce equipment downtime, and lower maintenance costs.

Enhanced environmental performance and regulatory alignment By identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and integrate renewable energy solutions (e.g. solar photovoltaic systems or heat pumps), energy audits support SMEs in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. These actions contribute to national climate and energy objectives and help enterprises align with evolving environmental and energy efficiency regulations, as well as with EU sustainability standards increasingly reflected in supply chains and market requirements.

Strengthened market position and business competitiveness Companies that improve their energy performance benefit from lower production costs and enhanced corporate image. Energy-efficient SMEs are increasingly viewed as more reliable and responsible partners by customers, investors, and financial institutions. Energy audit results can also support access to green financing instruments and future investment opportunities, strengthening long-term competitiveness and market attractiveness.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA I.1 General Eligibility Criteria

The applicant enterprise must:

Be classified as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in accordance with Law No. 179/2016 on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; Be legally registered and operating in the Republic of Moldova. Be officially registered under the corresponding CAEM code at the time of application or demonstrate related economic activity relevant to the scope of the energy audit. Not hold a dominant position on the market, as determined by the competent authorities; Correspond to eligible economic activities under CAEM-2, with the exception of the following excluded classes: 01 (Distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits); 04 (Manufacture of other non-distilled fermented beverages); 00 (Manufacture of tobacco products); 51 (Manufacture of explosives); 40 (Manufacture of weapons and ammunition); 40 (Manufacture of military fighting vehicles); 11 (Striking of coins); Not be an importer of goods subject to excise duties as its main activity; Not be subject to insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, suspension of activity, or similar legal proceedings at the time of application; Have no outstanding debts to the national public budget at the time of application; Not have founders, shareholders, or beneficial owners registered in jurisdictions that do not comply with international transparency standards; Not have among its beneficial owners natural or legal persons subject to national or international restrictive measures (sanctions); Not be involved in conflicts of interest with UNDP, or other institutions involved in the implementation of the program; Not have been sanctioned in the last 36 months for corruption, fraud, misuse of public funds, or similar offenses; Not benefit and not have benefited from other public or donor-funded support for the same energy audit activity. I.2 Specific Eligibility Criteria

The applicant enterprise must:

Have carried out economic activity in the Republic of Moldova for a continuous period of at least two (2) financial reporting years prior to the date of application; Have submitted financial statements to the National Bureau of Statistics or tax reports to the State Tax Service for the last two (2) consecutive years; Demonstrate a stable or positive financial situation, reflected by: positive equity capital in the most recent financial year; or in justified cases, evidence of financial recovery based on interim or projected financial statements showing a positive trend in key indicators (e.g. operating profit, EBITDA, cash flow); Not be part of a group of affiliated enterprises whose cumulative number of employees, turnover, or total assets exceed the thresholds for SMEs established under Article 4 of Law No. 179/2016; Operate an active production or service facility on the territory of the Republic of Moldova; Have significant energy consumption (electricity, thermal energy, fuels) and demonstrate a clear interest in identifying opportunities for reducing energy costs and improving energy performance. An average annual consumption higher than 10 TJ of energy over the previous three years, taking all energy carriers together, which do not implement an energy management system would be an advantage. Commit to active participation in the energy audit process, including: providing access to premises and equipment; making relevant technical and financial information available; designating a responsible focal point for communication with the audit team. I.4 Commitment to Post-Audit Actions (Non-financial)

Although the program does not provide funding for investments, applicant enterprises must:

Demonstrate an intention to apply to programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. Demonstrate financial and managerial capacity to consider future investments in energy efficiency based on audit recommendations (e.g. implementation of at least one of the identified measures with an estimated payback period of ten years or less); Agree to use the audit results for internal planning, decision-making, and potential access to future financing or support programs. COMPETITION PROCEDURE This competition will be conducted in a single phase, with two evaluation stages, carried out in accordance with the following conditions:

Stage

Description

Outcome

Administrative evaluation

Verification of eligibility, completeness, and compliance with program requirements

Pass / Fail

Technical evaluation

Assessment of energy relevance, potential impact, and strategic alignment

Scored (maxim 100 pts)

Final selection

Ranking based on technical scores

Top 12 SMEs selected

To participate in the competition, applicants shall submit an application file in electronic format. The application file shall include:

Cover Letter / Letter of Intent (Annex 1); Completed Application Form (Anexa 2); Extract from the State Register of Legal Entities, issued within the last 6 months; Company registration certificate (if the registration information it is not included in the extract); CAEM activity codes confirmation, demonstrating eligibility of the main economic activity (copy of the company's foundation statement); Financial statements (or unified tax reports) for the last two (2) consecutive reporting years, as applicable; Certificate confirming absence of outstanding debts to the national public budget, issued by the State Tax Service; Where applicable, management or accounting reports supporting declared operating costs and energy expenses. Proof of ownership or legal use of the production/service facility (e.g. cadastral extract); Photographic evidence (5 to 10 photos) of premises, equipment, or energy-consuming installations (optional but recommended); To support technical evaluation, applicants are encouraged to attach: electricity bills; natural gas or thermal energy invoices; fuel consumption records; internal energy monitoring reports (if available). These documents should cover at least the last full reporting year.

Signed Declarations and Self-Statements (Annex 3) confirming that the enterprise: Does not operate in excluded sectors; Is not subject to insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, or suspension of activity; Has no founders or beneficial owners subject to national or international restrictive measures; Has not been sanctioned for corruption, fraud, or misuse of public funds within the last 36 months; Is not in a conflict of interest with UNDP or other implementing partners. Gender equality supporting information (if applicable) documents confirming female ownership structure (shareholding data); or internal orders, organizational charts, or declarations confirming women in top or senior management positions. Any additional supporting documents (Optional) previous energy assessments or audit reports; energy efficiency investment plans; environmental or sustainability strategies; ISO certifications or preparatory documents (ISO 50001, ISO 14001, etc.). Incomplete files that do not contain all of the above-mentioned documents will not be considered.

Please note that SMEs that have completed an energy audit under this program may subsequently apply to investment financing calls launched by the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) and/or other national or international funding institutions, subject to meeting the specific eligibility criteria, conditions, and requirements established under each respective financing program.

Participation in any such calls for investment financing, including support for the development of project documentation or implementation of energy efficiency measures, is not automatic and depends on full compliance of the applicant enterprise and the proposed investment with the applicable program rules.

Detailed information on eligibility conditions, application procedures, and selection criteria shall be consulted directly in the official guidelines of the respective financing program published on the official web pages.

The implementation of the project will follow the stages outlined below:

Submission of application dossiers by applicant entities; Administrative and technical evaluation of the submitted applications; Approval of the decision on the selection of beneficiaries by the Evaluation Committee; Notification of applicants regarding the results of the selection process; Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) governing cooperation for the preparation of energy audit reports; Conducting energy audits by the audit company contracted by UNDP Moldova; Review and validation of the energy audit reports by the competent institutions; Transmission of the final energy audit reports from UNDP Moldova to the selected beneficiaries.

HOW TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

3.1 The deadline for submitting applications is 10 July 2026.

Applications should be submitted to the following email address: gheorghe.riciu@undp.org.
EVALUATION CRITERIA In this competition, applications that score at least 70 points in the technical evaluation will be selected. The selection will be made in descending order from the first place until a total of 12 companies are selected, which will receive support in conducting the energy audit.

If the number of applications that score at least 70 points is lower than the number needed to cover the costs for 12 companies, the Evaluation Committee may decide to organize an additional contest to make up the number of companies.

In case of equal scores, priority may be given to enterprises with higher energy cost intensity and/or stronger linkage to supported investment pipelines.

IV.1 Administrative eligibility checklist

No.

Eligibility criterion

Yes

No

Remarks

Applicant is classified as a small, or medium-sized enterprise in accordance with Law No. 179/2016

Applicant is registered and operates legally on the territory of the Republic of Moldova

Applicant does not hold a dominant market position

Applicant does not operate in excluded sectors (banking, insurance, gambling, excise goods, financial services, etc., and provided restrictions accroding to point I.1)

Applicant is not under insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, or suspension of activity

Applicant has no outstanding debts to the national public budget

Applicant has no founders or beneficial owners subject to restrictive measures or registered in non-transparent jurisdictions

Applicant has not been sanctioned for corruption, fraud, or misuse of public funds in the last 3 years

Applicant has submitted financial reports for the last 2 (two) reporting periods (or equivalent tax reports)

Applicant operates an active production or service facility with significant energy consumption

Applicant (company / founders) owns the real estate in which it operates

Applicant confirms availability to actively participate in the energy audit process

Applicant is a beneficiary of at least one energy efficiency programme or demonstrates a documented intention to apply for an energy efficiency measures programme

Application file is complete and submitted within the deadline

Note - Administrative evaluation result:

Yes / Eligible – admitted to technical evaluation No / Not eligible – rejected

IV.2 Technical evaluation form

No.

Eligibility criterion

Rated criteria

Score

Energy cost intensity

(assessment based on the ratio between annual energy expenses and total operating or production costs.)

• 40 pts ≥ 10% of total operating/production costs

• 20 pts - between 5% – 10%

• 10 pts - between 2% – 5%

• 5 pts - < 2%

• 0 pts Not provided / unclear

Energy consumption profile and relevance

(assessment of:

• absolute energy consumption levels;

• type of energy used (electricity, gas, thermal energy, fuels);

30 pts - An average annual consumption higher than 10 TJ of energy over the previous 3 years

10 pts - An average annual consumption of less than 10 TJ of energy over the previous three years

0 pts - Inadequate or unclear information

Past efforts and plans in energy efficiency

(assessment based on:

• previous audits or assessments (formal or informal);

• implemented energy-saving measures;

• future plans or management commitment to energy efficiency improvements.)

20 pts - Strong track record and clear future plans

10 pts - Some initiatives or plans identified

5 pts - Very limited actions

0 pts - No evidence provided

Gender Equality and Women-Led Enterprises

10 pts - ≥51% female ownership and/or woman in top management

5 pts - Women represented in middle or senior management positions

0 pts - No evidence provided

PROJECT COSTS

• The costs of conducting energy audits will be fully covered by the financial resources of the project "Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Spurring an inclusive and green transition with responsive governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood region."
  

• Energy audit reports will be sent to selected companies free of charge.

• UNDP Moldova will ensure that all actions related to contracting and payment for energy audit report preparation services are carried out.
  

NOTE:

Before submitting your application, please ensure that:

The forms are completed correctly; All documents described in point 3 have been attached; All necessary attachments/documents/photographs are attached; Avoid leaving mandatory fields blank; use "N/A" if not applicable; Plan your submission in advance to avoid last-minute complications; Check your email regularly for updates or requests for clarification.

Thank you for your interest! We look forward to your participation! For further questions, please contact us at tel. no.: +373 69753015, Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or at the following e-mail address: gheorghe.riciu@undp.org

Please note that there is no legal right to select the Association or any of the services/measures described above.

Neither UNDP Moldova nor any of their donors are liable to any company or applicant for the provision of any of the above services or for any damages or injuries that may result from the implementation of the project or from the activities described in the above text.

This document was developed within the project "Greening the future, advancing rights and stability: Spurring an inclusive and green transition with responsive governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood region," implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the Government of Denmark.