Infrastructure modernization projects remain one of the core priorities of the Government of Moldova and its development partners. Thus, under the German Financial Co-operation with the Republic of Moldova, the Social Investment Fund of Moldova and the German Development Bank, KFW were managing, during the period 2005-2017, the grant of 9.65 million Euros provided to the Republic of Moldova by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
On Friday, 16 March 2018, within the bounds of a public event the launch of the "Social Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency" Program for 2018 has been announced.
The event was attended by Julia Monar, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova; Diana Hedrich, Project manager of The regional and urban development (Eastern Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia) Project within the framework of the KFW Development Bank, Sergiu Guţu, KFW representative in the Republic of Moldova, Mircea Esanu, the Executive Director of the MSIF, representatives of local public authorities from all over the country.
Julia Monar, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Moldova, said: "Improving people's living conditions is our major social responsibility. Our help has to go there, where it can be felt by as many people as possible. That is why local public authorities are our most important partners. In 2003, the Federal Government of Germany launched the "Social Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency" Program to support small towns and communities. I am very happy that we can start together the third phase of the Program with a volume of 2 million euros. This new phase will provide the opportunity to participate in the competition to a big number of localities. I am convinced that KFW and its local partner, MSIF, will, as usual, handle tasks and successfully implement selected projects."
Under the "Social Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency" Project a total number of 210 community development projects have been implemented in localities with a population of up to 20 thousand inhabitants from 20 districts in the south and north of the Republic of Moldova. Projects followed the community development through the implementation of social infrastructure sub-projects (schools, kindergartens, sewage systems and drinking water supply systems, roads, etc.) and establishing a partnership between the communities on both banks of the Dniester River with a focus on the efficient use of energy and use of alternative energy resources.
Diana Hedrich, the Project Manager of the Regional and urban development (Eastern Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia) Project, being present at the event, was convinced of the success of the Program and encouraged LPAs to apply for the Program: "The KFW Development Bank finances investment projects in different sectors all over the world. In Moldova, the Bank supported the "Social Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency" Project on behalf of the German Government since 2003. MSIF will be implementing projects with the participation of local communities. It is up to you to turn grant funding into improved living conditions. I am sure that the third phase of the Project will contribute to improving the quality of life in Moldovan communities. I look forward to returning to the country and seeing the result of your work with my own eyes."
The Executive Director of the MSIF, Mircea Esanu, emphasized the importance of the German Government's contribution to the development of energy infrastructure and energy efficiency projects in the Republic of Moldova: "Today we announce a new tranche from the German donor, the third one, in the amount of 2 million euros. The German donor wants to extend the coverage of these projects to other localities where German money has not come yet. The success of other projects implemented with the German donor, as well as successes of the MSIF in other social projects, which are managed by the Fund, for example, the grant provided by the Romanian Government for the renovation of kindergartens or other fundings provided by the World Bank and other donors probably were the basis for the extension of theProject."
Under the Grant Agreement, the German Government has decided to supplement the project with another 2 million euros. Since one of the donor's main priorities is to ensure that all localities have access to the financial resources provided by the German Government, it was decided that only those communities that had not previously benefited from financial resources provided for renovation work within the "Social Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency" Program (2009-2017) will be allowed to participate in the contest. The maximum amount of grants for rural localities will be 75 thousand euro and 150 thousand euro - for cities. Beneficiaries of grants must also ensure the contribution of the community: at least 15% of the total value of the project for rural localities and 30% - in the case of urban localities.
The Project Release Announcement will be published in the Monitorul oficial of March 23, 2018. Application forms can be submitted by May 2, 2018 to: office@msif.md
The Applicant's Guide and form templates requested in the contest can be found on the MSIF website: http://fism.gov.md/ro/content/proiectul-infrastructura-sociala-si-eficienta-energetica-kfw-3
