The government approved a draft law establishing a National Fund for Regional and Local Development. Its budget for 2022 will be 800 million lei. The money will be allocated in particular for town halls, for regional and local development projects.

Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spinu said that approximately 300 million lei will be set apart for regional projects, specifically for job creation and human development in the development regions, especially in the district centers, but also for the improvement of municipal infrastructure, such as water supply and sewer systems.

Another 500 million lei will be devoted to local projects, specifically to improve infrastructure and renovate social establishments at community level, including schools, kindergartens, playgrounds etc.

For the first time, the state budget will co-finance projects that have attracted foreign funding. Specifically, if a town hall has won a project from a foreign partner, the government will use this Fund to cover the community’s contribution.

After the bill is adopted in Parliament, the Government will develop the secondary legislation and already by February the Fund will launch calls for proposals. Andrei Spinu encouraged town halls to prepare “good proposals” and apply as soon as this becomes possible.