The European Union launches a new call for grants for Local Action Groups from Cahul and Ungheni
The “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF, launches a call for grants for Local Action Groups (LAGs) from Ungheni and Cahul, which will come up with projects and initiatives to develop rural areas and create new jobs. This year, two LAGs will receive non-reimbursable assistance of up to €50,000 each from European funds. The supported activities should be conducted in the following 12 months from the date of signing the Grant Agreement.
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The application for funding is submitted by a Local Action Group that includes rural communities from Cahul or Ungheni districts;
- The applicant has submitted only one application;
- The application involves administrative costs, which make up to 20% of the budget up to a maximum ceiling of €7,000;
- Applicants will ensure a mandatory contribution of at least 20% of the total budget;
- The requested budget will not exceed €50,000 per application;
- The priorities indicated in the funding application are reflected in the Strategic Action Plans and/or are intended to mitigate the impact of COVID-19;
- At least 30% of the amount requested for funding is earmarked for economic development and job creation in rural areas of Ungheni and Cahul;
- At least 50% of the final beneficiaries are residents of villages in Ungheni and Cahul districts;
Participants who meet all the eligibility criteria will be admitted to the next stage of evaluation. The detailed conditions of the competition and the Application Guide can be accessed on the web pages here.
The “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” Programme will conduct an online question & answers session dedicated to the grants programme on 1 March. Interested Local Action Groups are kindly asked to register until 28 February, by sending an e-mail to: natalia.lipca@undp.org.
Applications packages are to be sent by 31 March to the e-mail address natalia.lipca@undp.org with the subject line “EU4MD: Focal Regions. Small Grants Program for LAGs, 2022 edition”. Each applicant will receive an email confirming the submission of the application package and a registration number.
In 2020, at the first edition of the call for grants, four LAGs received assistance of overall €200,000, European funds, invested in community development projects and job creation in villages from Cahul and Ungheni regions.
The “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions” programme (2019-2024) supports smart, inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Cahul and Ungheni regions, in order to ensure a better quality of life for citizens. The programme has a total budget of €23 million. It is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).