UPDATE: Microenterprises in the Bucharest-Ilfov region have launched a massive funding initiative, submitting 960 applications totaling 799.95 million lei under the ROP 2021-2027. This surge in demand highlights the critical need for financing in this area, as the requests far exceed the allocated budget of 187.25 million lei from Brussels, marking an increase of 427.2%.
According to Simona Curpăn, Head of the Regional Promotion Service at the Bucharest-Ilfov Regional Development Agency (ADBRI), the applications primarily come from medical and dental practices, alongside businesses in software, engineering, and advertising sectors. The evaluation of these applications is currently underway and is expected to continue until September, when the first results will be published on the ADBRI website.
The urgent financial need stems from a broader context where the Bucharest-Ilfov region has been allocated a total of 1.46 billion euros for various priorities, including innovation and digitalization. However, the funding for most categories remains insufficient. For instance, 66 applications for energy efficiency projects have been submitted, seeking a total value of 3.24 billion lei, far surpassing the available 485.15 million lei allocation, which is a staggering 669.2% higher than the budget.
In addition, projects aimed at enhancing green spaces have been met with similar challenges, where 10 proposals totaling 320.4 million lei are vying for just 111.98 million lei in funding—an alarming 286.14% shortfall. The Ilfov County Council’s rehabilitation projects alone exceed one billion lei, yet they are constrained to an allocation of only 186.61 million lei, representing a deficit of over 540%.
ADBRI has signed just 63 financing contracts so far and aims to significantly increase this number before the end of 2025. The agency hopes to expedite the disbursement of funds for project implementation starting next year. Notably, only 40% of the funding comes from European sources, with the remaining 60% covered by the state budget and other entities, reflecting the region’s relatively developed economic status compared to others in the country.
As the pressure mounts on the ADBRI to address this funding crisis, stakeholders are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on the evaluation process and potential revisions to the funding allocations. The outcome of these applications and the possibility of securing additional funds from Brussels will be pivotal for the future of microenterprises in the region.
With the stakes so high, the results of this funding initiative could significantly impact the local economy and the livelihoods of countless entrepreneurs. This is a developing story that will be closely monitored, and further details will be shared as they unfold.