As noted in the report, three days before the end of the voluntary merger process, 175 municipalities had made their final decisions. To support the creation of a unified infrastructure and shared services, municipalities can take advantage of the government’s first financial incentive.
It is specified that a total of approximately 170 million lei has been allocated in the 2026 state budget for the first payment. To date, 24 groups comprising 81 municipalities have received the first payment totaling 10 million lei.
Authorities note that the first incentive payment is provided to prepare for the merger process and may be used to procure consulting services. It will cover the preparation of documents required for the merger, the organization of public consultations, the preparation of investment projects and technical documentation, as well as the development of a reorganization plan following the consolidation.
Some of the submitted applications concern social projects aimed at modernizing kindergartens and developing public transportation. However, the majority of the requested funds will go toward establishing 26 Unified Service Centers.
At the same time, the government is preparing Incentive II, which provides for the allocation of 3,000 lei for each resident of a merged municipality. The funds will be included in the 2027 state budget.
