Local authorities participating in the voluntary amalgamation process will receive a total of approximately 3.49 billion lei in funding allocated in the state budget for 2027-2028. The funds will be invested in upgrading roads, expanding water supply and sewerage networks, renovating schools and kindergartens, and other local infrastructure projects. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, IPN reports.

At a press conference, the minister said the funds would be allocated to the 161 clusters of localities involved in the amalgamation process, split evenly over the two years: 50% in 2027 and 50% in 2028. Of the total, approximately 1.49 billion lei will go to the Central Region, 1.27 billion lei to the Northern Region, 613 million lei to the Southern Region, and 116 million lei to the Chisinau Region.

Municipalities will be able to manage the works directly, under the oversight of regional development agencies, or delegate project implementation to these agencies. The choice of approach will depend on the experience and administrative capacity of the local authorities.

Accessing the funds will involve four stages: information, submission, evaluation and project approval. Local authorities will submit their priority proposals and estimated budgets, which regional development agencies will evaluate. A joint commission will then review the results. Finally, MIDR will approve the selected projects and the funding allocated to them.

In December, the agencies will hold information sessions with representatives of local authorities to set priorities and prepare the documentation. Project submissions will open on 1 January 2027, and the evaluation process will take approximately six weeks.

Vladimir Bolea clarified that the funds could only be used for investment in local infrastructure, not to pay wage arrears, repay loans or settle other debts.