A call for applications to participate in the European Village-2024 national program have been launched, with 600 million lei reserved for its financing in next year's state budget.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Andrei Spinu announced the launch of the European Village-2024 program, under which the local public authorities can benefit from substantial support from the central budget for the implementation of important infrastructure projects. According to Andrei Spinu, the priority of this program is water supply repair projects, and all mayoralties can request assistance of up to 10 million lei, without the local administration's contribution. The mayoralties can also apply for financing the installation of lighting systems, renovation of public buildings, including the improvement of their energy efficiency, installation of renewable energy production systems, construction and reconstruction of sports and social facilities, renovation of historical monuments, etc. Thus, without the local administration's own contribution, mayoralties with a population of up to 1,500 inhabitants will be able to receive up to 1 million lei and mayoralties with more than 1,500 inhabitants - up to 3 million lei. The latter can also request financing of up to 10 million lei, provided that the local authorities contribute 15%. According to Andrei Spinu, grant aid for the elaboration of urban master plans will also continue, as well as support for mayoralties that attract external funds. "The competition to identify and approve projects under the European Village 2024 program will last from December 20, 2023 to March 29, 2024. "We urge all the country's mayoralties to step up and use this opportunity to develop their localities," Andrei Spinu said. 600 million lei is planned for the implementation of the new stage of the program in the draft state budget for 2024. If necessary, this sum will be supplemented. The minister recalled that the ambitious "European Village" program was launched in 2022 on the initiative of President Maia Sandu, with a budget of 2 billion lei. Currently, the program covers 900 projects across the country. "520 projects have already been implemented. For example, 61 settlements have received their own water supply and sewerage systems, street lighting, schools, parks, playgrounds, etc. have been repaired in 37 settlements. Most of the projects under the European Village-2022 program and European Village Express have been completed or are at the stage of completion or final acceptance. In order to have everything in time, we have extended the deadline for the implementation of the first program until the end of June 2024, and of the Express program - until the end of March 2024," the Minister said. More information on the program local administrations can request from the National Office for Regional and Local Development or regional development agencies. // 20.12.2023 – InfoMarket
