Agreement for Advisory Services on Assistance to the Romanian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration on Harmonizing State- and EU-Funded Projects in Regions
The 2014-2015 Romania RegionalDevelopment 2 Program is the continuation of the WorldBank’s technical assistance to the Ministry of RegionalDevelopment and Public Administration (MRDPA). Building onthe previous engagement, the current work addresses afundamental question: given Romania’s persistent developmentchallenges, how can the country do more with less when itcomes to the public infrastructure it needs? The key is toenhance coordination and harmonization of different fundingsources, particularly infrastructure programs financed fromthe state budget and from EU structural funds. The NationalLocal Development Program (PNDL), managed by the MRDPA, isreviewed in depth, though the conclusions typically hold forall state-budget-funded programs. This synthesis reportsummarizes the main findings and recommendations from eightfinal reports and 24 knowledge sharing workshops organizedin all eight regions in Romania in 2015. Several ‘bonus’outputs were also produced, going beyond the terms of thistechnical assistance (three investment guides, an applicantguide, and an operational manual). This synthesis report –along with all the outputs it draws from – is meant as apractical tool for policymakers at the national, regional,and local level. It also seeks to inform a broader audienceof private and nongovernmental stakeholders.