Moldovan villages will receive more money for modernization, as the maximum limit for financial support under the LEADER program has been increased from 3 to 4 million lei per year
In particular, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved amendments to the Regulation on the provision of advance subsidies for local development through the implementation of the LEADER program, which provide for an increase in the funding limit for local action groups (LAGs) to 4 million lei per year and diversification of activities for the launch of businesses and social initiatives. As noted by the government and the Ministry of Agriculture, thanks to the diversification of activities under the program, young entrepreneurs will be supported in starting businesses not only in agriculture, but also in tourism, green energy, healthcare, and social services. In addition, the process of applying for funding will become simpler and more transparent thanks to online applications and real-time monitoring of all stages of selection and funding. State Secretary for Agriculture and Food Industry Alexandra Sian noted that the LEADER program has proven its effectiveness by attracting investment to rural areas, creating jobs, and strengthening social cohesion. According to her, the changes approved by the government are aimed at maximizing these opportunities and making local action groups better prepared to attract European funding in the coming years. The amendments set the funding range from 2 million to 4 million lei, compared to the previous maximum limit of 3 million lei. At the same time, the maximum amount of project support has been increased from 40 thousand to 50 thousand lei. Local action groups are funded by the National Fund for Agriculture and Rural Development, which is approved annually by the State Budget Law, as well as on account of funds provided by development partners. The LEADER program aims to develop settlements that are part of local action groups, create new jobs, and improve the standard of living in rural areas. Currently, there are 54 LAGs in the country, covering more than 61% of the country's territory and including 513 administrative-territorial units with a population of about 1.14 million people. Thanks to these partnerships, more than 1,400 local projects have been implemented in recent years alone. // 10.09.2025 – InfoMarket.
