Interreg NEXT program helps integrate emergency services
The events provided important clarifications on contractual obligations, cost allowability and the use of the electronic monitoring system, which should facilitate their correct and efficient implementation.
What is Interreg NEXT
The Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 program, with a total budget of almost 97.3 million euros, supports cross-border cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova by financing joint projects in priority areas such as environmental protection and climate change adaptation, risk prevention and emergency management, education, health, culture, tourism, security and good governance, contributing to sustainable development and strengthening cooperation between the two states.
Within the framework of the program, 88 joint projects are currently being implemented with a total investment volume of more than 76.2 million euros, of which more than 68 million are grant financial support from the European Union.
This strategic partnership brings together 224 institutions and organizations (116 from Romania and 108 from the Republic of Moldova). The balanced nature of the program is also confirmed by the distribution of funds: more than 36.7 million euros are allocated to projects in Romania, while about 31 million euros go directly to beneficiaries in the Republic of Moldova.
The largest share of investments is in the priority “Cross-Border Social Development”, which includes 46 initiatives focusing on education, health and tourism.
Two Moldova
A separate chapter in this project is the relationship between the center of Romanian Moldova, the city of Iasi, and the capital of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau.
At the last session, it was noted that six projects are being implemented jointly between the Republic of Moldova, with the capital Chisinau, and the Romanian region of Moldova, with the administrative center Iasi, financed by European funds worth about 2.7 million euros.
Emergency assistance
Romania and the Republic of Moldova are jointly strengthening their emergency pre-hospital care services through a cross-border project aimed at increasing the speed and efficiency of action on both sides of the border. It is called “Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Saves Lives – PreMED”.
The project is coordinated by the Iasi County Ambulance Service (Romania) as the lead contractor and implemented in partnership with the National Center for Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Care (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) and the EURONEST Inter-Community Development Association (Iasi, Romania).
It aims to modernize and increase the capacity of ambulance services on both banks of the Prut River through investments in new ambulances, modern medical equipment and joint training programs. The project will contribute to reducing response times, improving the quality of care and enhancing the safety of the approximately 2.39 million residents of the respective regions who contact the 112 service each year.
The investments exceed €1.6 million. They are aimed at increasing the capacity to provide assistance through the purchase of 10 modern ambulances (of which six are destined for the Republic of Moldova) and the installation of 90 automatic external defibrillators in crowded areas.
Early diagnosis of cancer
The GENE-CONNECT project brings together the Chisinau Cancer Institute and the Regional Cancer Institute in Iasi in a joint effort to improve the health of the population in both countries. The initiative focuses on early diagnosis of hereditary cancers using common protocols and advanced techniques, and supports the training of specialists in oncogenetics. The project also contributes to modernizing medical infrastructure and raising public awareness of the importance of genetic testing.
Improving the efficiency of rescue workers
Funds received by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of Moldova (GISES) will be invested in modern specialized vehicles, emergency response equipment and joint training programs for rescuers from both countries.
GISES Moldova is implementing these projects in partnership with fire units and rescuers from Romania to improve the efficiency of joint emergency response. The initiative includes joint training courses, cross-border exercises and the acquisition of specialized equipment aimed at improving the interoperability of response teams. At the same time, the projects include prevention campaigns and community-oriented activities that contribute to improving preparedness and resilience on both banks of the Prut River.
Youth participation in civic initiatives
The YOUTHLINK initiative – “Youth Participation in Educational System Processes along the Romanian-Moldovan Border” – aims to strengthen the active participation of young people, especially from vulnerable social groups, in educational and civic processes.
Through joint research, training and pilot projects in educational institutions, the project promotes the creation of open and inclusive educational spaces and strengthens ties between communities on both banks of the Prut River.
The Youthinlin project is implemented by the Association of Social Alternatives and the Educational Resource and Assistance Center of Iasi County (Romania) in partnership with the AVÎNT Education and Development Association and the National Agency for the Development of Youth Programs and Activities (Republic of Moldova).
Promotion of child adoption
The cross-border project “Strengthening Partnerships for Transition to Community and Family Care” aims to provide children from both countries with the opportunity to grow up in welcoming families and communities, preventing their isolation and placement in social protection institutions (orphanages).
The initiative, implemented by CCF Moldova in partnership with Save the Children Iasi Association, strengthens social services and promotes social inclusion and solidarity for vulnerable children. Activities include the training of more than 250 child protection professionals, an information campaign for 250,000 people and the creation of a sustainable network of cross-border cooperation between professionals. The project has a budget of 439,400 euros.
Strengthening cultural heritage and tourism development
Within the project “CULTURISE – Culture and sustainable tourism for social inclusion and innovation in the Republic of Moldova and Romania”, financed by the Interreg NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 program, cultural heritage and sustainable tourism are becoming strategic factors for economic and social development in the border regions.
The initiative, implemented by SOARTA Moldova (Republic of Moldova) in partnership with the Solidarity and Hope Foundation from Iasi (Romania), aims at strengthening the role of cultural heritage in Iasi, Botosani and Vaslui counties (Romania), as well as in the districts of Chisinau, Orhei, Soroca and Ungheni (Republic of Moldova) through joint activities including promotional campaigns, organization of cultural events, development of innovative cultural products, creation of a cross-border action plan and development of cultural and educational maps.
Development of community cinemas
The cultural project “Reintegration of community cinemas into the cultural life of Iasi and Chisinau” brings together Ateneul Național (Iasi) and the public institution “Ginta Latină Culture and Art Center from Chisinau” in an ambitious cross-border partnership. The initiative supports the reconstruction of the facade of the Ginta Latină building, the creation of a joint film, the organization of joint theatrical performances, at least 10 cultural events for disadvantaged populations and master classes for 20 talented young people in Iasi and Chisinau.
The projects participating in the Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania-Republic of Moldova 2021-2027 program receive funding from the EU funds up to 90% of the cost.
