Moldova in the LED spotlight Note: This project has been cancelled, because of financial problems of the partners.The project will set up a facility for the assembly of LED light solutions, namely Flexilight Panels (FLPs), Bulk & Parking Line Lights (BLP) and Professional Light Line (LedLine). All production will be exported to Europe.The consortium consists of LedNed, a global leader in LED light solutions, and Blacksea, a construction company. LedNed provides customised lighting solution to businesses and focuses on office space, parking, warehouses, the health sector and government. LedNed is a pioneer on many aspects such as being the only company with all of their products KEMA DEKRA certified. LedNed has already set up similar production facilities in China and is looking for expansion opportunities to meet current demand and to be able to offer products with a higher degree of customisation.The project will hire 43 people, most of them with a medium to high level of education. The employees are trained extensively and unique know-how on LED technology will be transferred to them. Training includes visits and training on locations previously serviced by LedNed and is also supported by Dutch and local universities and institutes. The project will work closely with TU Eindhoven and TU Moldova and will also lead to two organisations collaborating on research and exchange programmes.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The project will implement an ISO 9001:2008 quality management system and get certification for its production. The products will be Kema Dekra certified (certificate for meeting safety and other qualitative requirements). The development of their key employees is central as these people also receive international training. The applicant also wants to introduce a non-hierarchical organisation model which leads to increased employee involvement. The joint venture further offers good pay, working conditions and fringe benefits. The joint venture will also organise campaigns on environmental awareness.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsEmployees will receive good pay (at least 204% above minimum salary and at least € 252), working conditions and fringe benefits (child care, social security package, health Insurance, paid leave, transportation, drinks and lunch).•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeNo LED light production exists in Moldova, so both the product and the production are new for the country. The joint venture will also obtain the ISO 9001:2008 certificate so the organisation is also innovative.•	Chain effectsMost inputs are imported so the project has no impact on local suppliers.The project has no impact on local consumers because all the production is exported.•	Impact on the sectorDue to the nature of their activities and the demand for talented technicians, the project will work with both TU Eindhoven and TU Moldova on research and offering internships. The joint venture will create an office within the university so that a person (working part-time for the university and the joint venture) can coordinate the exchange programme between the two universities.•	EnvironmentThe products of the joint venture lead to reduction of energy use and automatically contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gasses emission. Furthermore, the joint venture will organise environmental awareness campaigns on topics such as battery recycling, energy efficiency and recycling of e-waste.•	Position of womenThe project hires 22 women out of which 16 in medium/high positions. The project will set up facilities for assembling LED light solutions for the European market, namely 60,168 Flexilight Panels (FLPs), 13,884 Bulk & Parking Line Lights (BLP) and Professional Light Line (LedLine).