Alexei Buzu, Secretary General of the Government, announced that, following consultations with mayors in August, the Government is proposing for public debate the rules under which voluntarily amalgamated localities will finance infrastructure projects through the second incentive from the Voluntary Amalgamation Fund, which is intended for investments, reports TRIBUNA.

The draft provides for funding in the following areas: local roads, streets, bridges and culverts; water supply and sewerage; public lighting and energy efficiency of public buildings; social infrastructure; waste management; and the development of public spaces.

“A single procedure, in four stages: launching the process, submitting projects to the Regional Development Agencies (RDA), evaluating them, and approving the list of projects together with the annual financing plan.

Projects are submitted by the administrative-center mayor’s office on behalf of all localities in the cluster, based on a decision of the local council.

There are two implementation options: the mayor’s office implements the project with methodological support from the RDA, or the RDA implements the project and transfers the completed investment to the mayor’s office. The choice depends on the beneficiary’s previous experience with capital investment projects.

The costs of preparing technical documentation and cost estimates are eligible, and the investment must be maintained for at least five years after completion,” Alexei Buzu also said.

The deadline for submitting proposals is September 21.