CALM about the European Village 2024: “Only through actions and concrete projects, distributed objectively and fairly, do we build and promote Europe here, at home!”

The Government has presented the list of local development projects that will be financed under the “European Village” Program, 2024 edition. As a result of the evaluation, 612 projects out of the 749 submitted were selected for implementation, with a total budget of 2.5 billion lei. The winning projects represent localities from all regions of the Republic of Moldova, with mayors from various political parties, including 15 from UTA Gagauzia

Prime Minister Dorin Recean appreciated the work of the mayors and their teams, noting that this time the projects were much better than in previous editions. “We will organize another round and will be prepared for the absorption of pre-accession funds,” the Prime Minister stated.

Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Andrei Spînu specified that out of the 612 winning projects, 223 focus on the construction of 1,172 km of water supply networks; in 57 villages, 445 km of street lighting network will be built; 215 public and social buildings will be rebuilt or rehabilitated; in 30 villages, 36 photovoltaic parks will be built, etc.

Tatiana Badan, the President of CALM, mentioned that this news brought great joy to the villages and towns of the Republic of Moldova. “From the very beginning, CALM drew the authorities’ attention to the increased interest and the very large number of applications that would be submitted, requesting the most objective and inclusive approach so that the majority of the Local Public Authorities (LPA) that applied would benefit from projects, regardless of political affiliation.”

In the same context, Viorel Furdui, Executive Director of CALM, appreciated the Government’s efforts to identify solutions in a very difficult situation, with such a large number of projects (over 80% of LPAs) and to find the possibility to increase fourfold the initially available financial fund. “Local authorities have once again debunked the myth of incapacity and have demonstrated once again their desire, major interest in development, and ability to write projects. In turn, the Government has responded appropriately to this initiative. We have repeatedly emphasized that when we talk about European integration, we must come with actions, and the 612 projects are proof that the European Union is the right path chosen by the Republic of Moldova, and the mayors are doing everything possible to change the realities in our villages and towns and bring them closer to European standards.”

At the same time, the CALM director highlighted the commitment of MIDR leadership to identify additional funding solutions and opportunities for the remaining LPAs that applied but are not on the list of funded projects.

Viorel Furdui also thanked his colleagues at CALM who contributed to establishing the criteria and the objective selection of the winning projects, emphasizing that in the coming period, new funds and local development opportunities will be negotiated and will emerge, “because the capacity to absorb them at the LPA level exists, and this is precisely how we build and promote the European Union.”