Ministry Launches Scheme to Support Municipalities with Up to 500 Inhabitants

Sucha Dolina, 10 September (TASR) - The Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry is launching a grant scheme called 'A Million for Small Municipalities' aimed at local authorities with up to 500 inhabitants, stated Regional Development Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) in the municipality of Sucha Dolina in Presov region on Thursday. A total of just over €1.110 million has been earmarked for this support. Municipalities can receive between €1,000-€3,500 without the need for co-financing. Eligible expenditures will include building materials used for refurbishing or restoring public spaces. Local authorities won't be required to provide co-funding for the project. "We have 1,115 such local authorities in Slovakia," said Migal, adding that, in his view, small villages have often been sidelined in the past when it came to accessing larger grant schemes or EU funding. According to the minister, even a few thousand euros can make the difference between a project going ahead or not for villages with limited budgets. The allocation is to be distributed among individual regions according to the proportion of municipalities with up to 500 inhabitants out of the total number in Slovakia. A total of €98,000 has been earmarked for Nitra region, €273,000 for Banska Bystrica region, €347,000 for Presov region, and €171,000 for Kosice region. am/df