748 applications have been submitted to the European Village programme 2024. Over 80% of city halls across the country participated with a project. Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spinu made the statements on April 8. He unveiled the results of the first stage, the submission of applications, of the European Village programme 2024.
“The European Village 2024 is even more successful than the first edition, as demonstrated by all the mayors who applied to this call,” said Andrei Spinu.
According to the minister, most projects (42%) were submitted for water supply and sanitation. More than 20% of the applications provide for energy efficiency works, 15% – the modernisation of sports infrastructure and 9% – the renovation of cultural houses and monuments.
“Others see projects for public lighting, development of renewable energy sources, etc. Most of them were submitted from the northern and central regions, but on average, each municipality has practically one project per country,” said Spinu.
After the submission stage, there are two evaluation stages, namely the administrative evaluation, which will be carried out by the National Office for Regional and Local Development according to the procedures laid down in the Programme Regulation.
So far, more than 700 projects have been implemented through the European Village and the Express European Village programmes. This means more than 900 km of aqueducts and 211 km of sewage networks built or repaired in villages across the country, 36 urban plans drawn up, more than 140 public buildings rehabilitated, public lighting extended, schools and kindergartens rebuilt, including modern playgrounds set up.
The European Village programme was launched in 2022 at the initiative of Head of State Maia Sandu. Initiatives for the development of localities are financed via the programme. (Moldpres)