Local Development

• A pre-defined project developing and providing comprehensive support for Ukrainian refugees, with a grant from the Programme of approximately € 1,500,000, shall be explored in the Concept Note.
• A pre-defined project strengthening institutional and civil society capacity, and prevention, in the field of non-substance addictions, with a grant from the Programme of approximately € 2,800,000, involving partners from the Donor States, shall be explored in the Concept Note.
• A pre-defined project supporting a national campaign promoting inclusion and combating discrimination, with the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency and/or further partners from the Donor States, with a grant from the Programme of approximately € 3,000,000, shall be explored in the Concept Note.
• A pre-defined project supporting local institutional development and public governance, with the Association of Local Communes and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, with a grant from the Programme of approximately € 4,000,000, shall be explored in the Concept Note.
• A pre-defined project supporting quality, inclusive education through empowering educators, schools, and communities, with a grant from the Programme of approximately € 3,000,000, shall be explored in the Concept Note. Cooperation with European Wergeland Centre and/or other possible donor states partner(s) shall be explored.
• Consultation with relevant stakeholders, including relevant Roma and pro-Roma organisations, shall be carried out in the development of the Concept Note.
• The indicative allocation to programme areas is in line with the following guiding principles: approximately 40% to local development, good governance and inclusion; approximately 20% to Roma inclusion and empowerment; approximately 20% to public health; and approximately 20% to education, training and youth employment.
• The indicative percentage allocations shall be applied to the entire programme allocation, including the support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2021-2028.
• The maximum level of funding for investment in infrastructure and equipment (hard measures) shall be 60% of the total eligible expenditure of the programme.
• The programme shall support the inclusion and empowerment of Roma both through targeted measures and as a horizontal concern throughout the programme. The programme shall target disadvantaged regions and deprived neighbourhoods with a focus on groups in vulnerable situations, with particular attention to Roma.
• The public institution(s) in Romania in charge of the relevant policy areas, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity shall be involved in the preparation and implementation of the programme, specifically as observers of the Cooperation Committee. Where relevant, the inclusion of further stakeholders shall be explored.
• Within the programme area ‘Education, training and youth employment’ measures supporting access to quality, inclusive, education shall be developed in the Concept Note. The professional development of educators and support staff shall be supported alongside the active involvement of parents.
• Within the programme area ‘Local development, good governance and inclusion’ the programme shall strengthen good governance and capacity building at the local level, supporting models for community-led local development and integrated service delivery based on participation and social inclusion. Anti-discrimination measures shall be included.
• Within the programme area ‘Public Health’ actions in the field of non-substance addiction, community health services, including mental health and promotion of wellbeing for people in vulnerable situations and disadvantaged areas shall be supported.
• Within the programme area ‘Roma inclusion and empowerment’ the provision of integrated services responding to the needs of Roma communities shall be supported through open calls.
• Within the programme area ‘Roma inclusion and empowerment’ the provision of integrated services responding to the needs of Roma communities shall be supported. The capacity of Roma civil society organisations shall be strengthened. Support to Roma women, children and youth’s empowerment shall be explored in the Concept Note.

No projects have been signed under this programme. That is a real state rather than a gap in the data: bilateral funds and newly agreed programmes both sit here.