The Minister of Education, Daniel David, announces a new initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, as it launched an ambitious project aimed at providing integrated services for vulnerable people in rural communities.
Minister of Education says that the project, called "Provision of integrated services in rural communities - facilitating access of vulnerable people to efficient and quality basic services", bears the SMIS code 339395 and benefits from co-financing from the European Union, through the European Social Fund Plus, within the Social Inclusion and Dignity Program 2021-2027.
The initiative aims to select 2000 administrative-territorial units (ATUs) from rural areas, namely communes, through a transparent, non-discriminatory and "First come, first served" procedure.
This selection system, of a non-competitive nature, requires the submission of a letter of intent and the necessary documents to the AJPIS/UJSS in each county, documents that can be sent both electronically and physically, according to specific instructions.
The signing of 2000 collaboration protocols will mark the commitment of local authorities to implement programs aimed at social and educational development in their communities.
The Minister of Education confirms that among the major benefits of the project are the training and financing of integrated community teams, the equipping and arrangement of spaces intended for the provision of social services, as well as the provision of equipment and resources necessary for local specialists.
The project provides direct support to vulnerable people, through food packages, home care services and educational and professional counseling. An important aspect is the financial support provided to approximately 200 SPAS employees who intend to pursue higher education in the field of social assistance, thus contributing to increasing the qualification level of personnel involved in social services.
The Minister of Education, in a recent public statement, emphasized the importance of the educational component within this project. "I encourage local authorities to propose programs with a strong educational component, because only in this way can they achieve well-being and sustainable development," the minister said.
This statement reflects the authorities' conviction that education is an essential pillar for the social and economic transformation of rural communities. The implementation of the project is planned for the period January 2025 - December 2029, and the total allocated budget amounts to 4 billion lei, an amount that will be co-financed by the European Union.
Investing in social and educational infrastructure in rural areas supports efforts to prevent social marginalization, increase inclusion and reduce poverty, with the ultimate objective of improving living conditions in these areas.
Through this initiative, the authorities hope to create a synergy between human, material and financial resources, which will facilitate the implementation of sustainable and efficient programs. Thus, rural communities will benefit from a modern framework, adapted to current needs, which will stimulate local development and generate opportunities for emancipation for citizens.
In the context of a constantly changing socio-economic landscape, the project represents a unique opportunity to transform the rural reality in Romania, contributing to the recovery and revitalization of these areas through concrete and well-targeted actions.
