Establishment of a modern grain elevator Note: This project has been cancelled. Due to changing market conditions, it was no longer possible to implement the project.There is a shortage in grain storage facilities in Moldova and the quality of existing facilities is far below EU standards. The demand on the world market for high quality grains is rising, this makes the set-up of a modern grain elevator and investing in agricultural infrastructure an interesting business opportunity. A joint venture will be set up among the Dutch applicant Veluwe Granen B.V. and the Moldovan local partner VS Export to establish the first grain elevator in the country in the Causeni district. It will enable the production of certified grains, destined to a higher quality segment of the market. The joint venture will offer cleaning, drying and storage facilities, combined with logistic activities. The project will also function as a service centre for farming companies. Therefore a cooperation will be established to provide outgrower services as training, access to credits, access to inputs, shared use of machinery and access to the European market.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)German 'industry norms' for grain storage will be applied, which are above EU norms. A lot of emphasis will be put on product quality and health and safety of consumers. This will be backed up by certificates as(1) SGS Moldova – condition and quantity certificate,(2) phytosanitary products certified by The general Inspection of Phytosanitary Supervision and Seminal control in Moldova,(3) Certificates of Origin by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry,(4) Radiological certificates issued by the Republican Centre of Applied Pedology,(5) certificates of hygiene issued by State Sanitary and Epidemiological Service and(6) certificates of compliance and conformity issued by the centre of standardisation and quality testing of animal feed and cereal products.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe partners will respect working hours of local law. The employees will receive full time indefinite labour contracts. The will at least be paid 111% of the average wage. German safety standards are implemented (this is higher than the EU standard). Safety equipment will be provided if needed (as footwear, masks, glassed, ear protection) and safety and health trainings will be given. The working environment will guaranteed by use of safety lines, good ventilation, filtering respirators and regular testing of air quality in the silo (on dust, gases, etc). Vibrations and temperatures are also tested. Employees will be insured for work related injuries. Also, meals, free transport, health insurance and pensions systems are provided. There will be no discrimination and employees will have freedom to associate. Employees participation is encourage.Finally, a profit sharing system will be implemented and top management will get shares in the company.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeFarmer access to high quality grain facilities will be new for the country and will increase the quality of grain production and give access to the European market. Current MNCs in Moldova use their own facilities abroad in the Ukraine.The drying silos have new characteristics (higher silo, humidity sensors and automatically turning and drying of grains) that can lower the humidity levels. This will improve quality. Also, different cereals can be sorted by quality at the same time, while currently they are stored in bulk. New compartmentalisation techniques are used to store different sorts and quality of grains. Also, an innovative traceability system 'Cereal Deposit System Certificates' will be implemented. On top of that a new cooperation structure will be created in which farmers have access to trainings, inputs, credits and combined machinery use. Moldovan farmers momentarily work individually.•	Chain effectsOutgrowers will be provided with contracts which guarantee good prices and a secured outlet for their products. 25 farmers will supply a value of € 9.7 million of grains (volume at least 8 million ton). Also, a cooperation will be established to provide outgrowers services (training, access to credits for inputs, access to inputs, shared use of machinery, access to the European market, etc). Furthermore, a lot of transport services will be hired (value of around € 1.2 million). The use of transport and other services will at least lead to 10 additional employees.A small part of the (improved) grain production is for local sales.Some of the involved farmers will be clients because they buy grain processing and storage services, while others will sell their produce to the joint venture.The project has no impact on local customers because the production is exported.•	Impact on the sectorThe partners will share the project's best practices with the chamber of commerce for agriculture and are open to duplication of the project by other players. The joint venture will work with local universities and will regularly have positions for interns.•	EnvironmentThe partners will share the project's best practices with the chamber of commerce for agriculture and are open to duplication of the project by other players. The joint venture will work with local universities and will regularly have positions for interns.•	Position of womenIn total 9 positions will be filled by women of which 3 in high level positions.•	Impact on food safetyThe project will lead to the improvement of grain quality and decrease of grain rejects. The establishment of a modern grain elevator with cleaning, drying, sorting and storage facilities which processes 46,000 tons wheat, barley, maize, sunflower seed and rapeseed on an annual basis.