
The government has approved a decree on the launch of the small grants program "European Village Express".
The new program is an addition to the already operating "European Village" (Satul European) and provides for the provision of small grants (up to 450 thousand lei) for projects with a term of implementation up to six months. In addition, a simplified procedure for submission, review and approval of applications to improve technical and social infrastructure is envisaged. In order to apply, it will be necessary to present only the concept of the project, and the rest of the documents should be submitted only after approval of the project. There is also no obligation of parity funding of projects: a project can be funded entirely by the National Fund for Regional Development. It is noted that the new program will open up opportunities for local authorities to apply for funding to improve the quality of life in localities, thus ensuring the sustainable development of the country. Detailed conditions of the new program will be described in a special guide, which will be published later. Until the end of the year, 43 projects of regional development and 396 projects of local development will be implemented. Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Liliia Dabija told at a press conference following the government session that within a year of the "European Village" program implementation, 100 out of 496 projects have been already implemented, and nearly 100 thousand people have become their beneficiaries. 123 million lei has been allocated from the National Fund for Regional and Local Development to implement these 100 projects. More than 20 thousand people from 18 settlements of the country got access to drinking water and 6 thousand people - to the sewerage system. Almost 34 thousand people enjoy new street lighting (about 200 km of electric lines were installed). 14 kindergartens were repaired or equipped, 9 gymnasiums, 3 lyceums and 18 houses of culture were modernized and overhauled. // 26.04.2023 - InfoMarket.