January 27, 2021 is the last day for submitting applications for advance subsidies for improving and developing rural public infrastructure and diminishing the social and economic decline tendencies in rural areas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment said that only nine applications have been submitted so far, IPN reports.

The applications for advance subsidies for the new rural development measures are received by the Agency for Intervention and Payments in Agriculture. The advance subsidies are intended for village and communes, for towns with a population of under 10,000 residents and also for legal entities or private individuals registered in rural localities that create or develop nonagricultural activities.

Three new rural development measures will be annually subsidized with funding from the National Agriculture and Regional Development Fund. For each of the mentioned measures, the annual financial allocation from the Fund will constitute 5%, which is about 50 million lei.

Among the support measures are the improvement and development of rural public economic infrastructure, diversification of the rural economy by nonagricultural activities, renovation and development of the rural community, renovation or rehabilitation of public buildings and marketplaces, creation and equipment of care centers for children, elderly people and persons with special needs, creation of tourist routes, conservation and restoration of historical-cultural tangible heritage and rural landscapes.