04 August 2026, Chișinău – The Cojocari family from the municipality of Bălți, raising four children, benefited from the Government's EcoVoucher Program, through which they replaced their old washing machine with a new energy-efficient model. Thanks to this investment, the household has reduced its electricity consumption and lowered its utility bills.

The support provided through the EcoVoucher Program made this purchase more affordable and enabled the family to replace their old appliance sooner than originally planned.

Ecaterina Cojocari is a homemaker, while the family's income is provided by her husband. In a household with four children, the washing machine is used frequently, and the old appliance could no longer meet the family's needs. The family had previously heard about the EcoVoucher Program but was initially unfamiliar with the eligibility requirements and application process. Nevertheless, they decided to verify the information directly with participating retailers.

"We received many SMS messages, but with all the scams happening in Moldova, we didn't pay much attention to them. We went to the stores to check whether the information was genuine. When we got there, they confirmed that we did have a voucher. So, we decided to buy a washing machine," the beneficiary explained.

Ecaterina also learned more about the program from people who had already benefited from it. A neighbour from her husband's hometown had purchased a new refrigerator through the program and shared her experience.

A 6,000 MDL Voucher for a More Energy-Efficient Home

Through the EcoVoucher Program, the Cojocari family received a voucher worth MDL 6,000, which they used to purchase a new energy-efficient washing machine. The purchasing process was simple. At the store, Ecaterina only had to present her ID card, while the voucher was verified through the online system.

The voucher covered a significant portion of the appliance's price, while the family paid the remaining amount.

"The voucher was worth 6,000 lei. We bought the washing machine, added a small amount ourselves, together with the voucher, and it covered the full price," she said.

The new appliance was delivered directly to their home, while the old washing machine was collected free of charge for recycling.

Lower Electricity Bills and Greater Comfort for a Large Family

Before benefiting from the program, the family used an old washing machine that consumed a significant amount of electricity and no longer operated efficiently.

"Our previous washing machine was old, consumed a lot of electricity and could no longer cope with our family's needs. It had been in use for many years and had already become faulty," Ecaterina explained.

For a family with four children, the energy efficiency of household appliances is an important consideration.

"With four children, we use the washing machine very often. Naturally, we want our appliances to be more economical and energy-efficient," she added.

After replacing the appliance, the family noticed a reduction in their electricity consumption.

"Our electricity consumption has gone down. Compared to previous months, when our bill reflected consumption of over one thousand, it is now below one thousand. There is a noticeable difference, thanks to replacing some of our household appliances," Ecaterina said.

Timely Support for Families Looking to Save Energy

Replacing the washing machine had long been part of the family's plans, but financial constraints had delayed the purchase. The support provided through the EcoVoucher Program enabled them to make this investment much sooner.

"We had planned to replace it eventually, but it wasn't the right time financially. When this opportunity came along, it was very welcome because we only had to add a relatively small amount ourselves. This is a very useful program because it covers most of the purchase price," the beneficiary said.

About the EcoVoucher Program

The Government's EcoVoucher Program enables households to replace old refrigerators and washing machines with new, energy-efficient models, helping reduce electricity consumption and household expenses.

A MDL 6,000 voucher can cover up to 70% of the cost of an eligible refrigerator (energy classes A–D) or an eligible washing machine (energy class A). The program also provides free collection and recycling of the old appliance. Priority is given to households with two or more children and households where two people aged over 63 reside.

The Government's EcoVoucher Program is developed by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with the financial support of the European Union. The current edition is implemented by the National Center for Sustainable Energy under the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies for Moldova (E4M) project, implemented by GIZ together with the Government of the Republic of Moldova, financed by the German Government and co-financed by the European Union, Norway and Denmark. The current edition of the EcoVoucher Program is funded by the European Union.