The Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) Facility network in Ukraine and Moldova will get more direct support thanks to a new financing arrangement worth €1.8 million, which was announced by the European Commission, the UNDP said in a press release.
Local authorities in Ukraine will be eligible for 70% of the grant component, while those in Moldova would get 30%.
The extra money will support a Call for Local Demonstration Initiatives concentrating on revitalizing and assisting the rehabilitation of local businesses and communities affected by the war, in addition to already repurposed monies from the M4EG initiative.
Two different sorts of projects will be funded under this call.
One financial package would be set aside for initiatives that address the urgent needs of IDPs and refugees whose homes, workplaces, and enterprises were damaged or destroyed by the war as well as for small-scale infrastructure and service rehabilitation. The amount of funding must range from €30,000 to €50,000 (with no co-financing necessary).
A second financial package will be given to initiatives that help war-affected local governments get back on track with their sustainable development plans and create the groundwork for future sustainable growth, urban modernization, and economic recovery. The funding range for each project is €70,000–100,000 (co-financing of at least 20% is necessary).
“The European family stands together with Moldovan and Ukrainian municipalities. With the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, affected municipalities showed great resilience and courage in the face of war,” said Gérald Audaz, Team Leader of Economic Development and Digital Transition in Eastern Partnership countries, DG NEAR. “This is why we keep mobilizing support – to strengthen local authorities who are now dealing with complex challenges, striving to re-start a local economy by addressing the immediate needs in the city on the ground.”
As of February 2022, the M4EG initiative in Ukraine had implemented a number of interventions to support cities, including outfitting IDP shelters in Lviv and providing assistance to a crisis coordination center in Melitopol.
It also established a network of 34 United Nations Community Volunteers in 29 local authorities and started an online course for local authorities on crisis management and the integration of internally displaced people.
Around 14 local administrations in Moldova received emergency assistance, including tools and resources to enhance the living and sanitary conditions for refugees.
