About 100 applicants seek small grants from Youth Ministry

Approximately 100 applications have been submitted so far for participating in the Ministry of Youth and Sport's Small Grants Program. There will be selected 20 projects that will benefit from financial assistance of 5,000 to 35,000 lei, the head of the Ministry's Youth Programs Division Ion Donea told Info-Prim Neo. Most of the projects concern youth involvement in the local decision-making process, access to information, organization of cultural-artistic events. Ion Donea said many of the applicants for grants have already created local youth councils and will be able to diversify their activities if they win grants within this project. Financing for projects concerning marketing services, commercial activities, repairs and administrative costs is not provided. The projects will be assessed by a joint group of experts set up by the Ministry of Youth and Sport in concert with youth NGOs. The program will be implemented during April-October 2010 and aims to strengthen the youth NGO sector, support the social and economic development of the youth and promote the democratic principles, human rights and social equity.