The budget allocated for projects on efficiency in the energy sector, the use of recyclable resources, and the reduction of gas emission responsible for the greenhouse effect, sums up at 100 million lei. The collection of projects funded by Energy Efficiency Fund started today, July 10, reports Info-Prim Neo. The target group for financing in 2012 is made up of socially oriented objectives that are functional, from the central and local public property, but also from the private sector. Higher priority will be given to applicants who did not benefit from such programs or similar projects in the last 5 years. Financing bounds are between 50,000 and 3 million lei per project. Personal contribution from the beneficiaries’ funds should be at least 20%, and the maximum return-to-investment term should not be more than 7 years. “The Energy Efficiency Fund aims at stimulating projects for development. We must help the public sector consume less energy, since the impact is substantial at 30-40% savings. Additionally, we generate a demand for work in the private sector, and thus create new workplaces and salaries”, stated Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar. The set of necessary paperwork for applying for funds can be submitted to the headquarters of the Energy Efficiency Fund till September 30.