Bucharest, March 17 /Agerpres/ – The Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity has launched the selection process for 2,000 communes that will receive funding under the project “Provision of integrated services in rural communities – facilitating access of vulnerable people to quality and efficient basic services”, with a total budget of 815 million EUR, co-financed by the European Union, through the Social Inclusion and Dignity Program 2021-2027.

The program, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (ANPIS), aims to increase social inclusion and reduce poverty. In the 2,000 rural communities will operate Integrated Community Teams (ECI) made up of specialists in social assistance, health and education who will find customized solutions for each beneficiary, according to a post on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Labor.

“It is a project that supports the most vulnerable among us and puts people first. I urge all mayors of communes in Romania to access this program – the largest social assistance program financed by European funds. Through integration, care and inclusion we can build stronger and more supportive communities,” said minister of Labor Simona Bucura Oprescu as quoted in the post.

The benefits brought by the project are: training of integrated community teams (specialists in health, social care and education) in 2,000 communes; providing direct support to vulnerable people: food packages, home care services, educational and vocational counseling; equipping and fitting out premises for the provision of social services; providing equipment and resources for local specialists; financial support for 200 SPAS employees who want to pursue higher education in social work.

The project implementation period is January 2025 – December 2029.