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 Regional
Development 2 Program is the continuation of the World
Bank’s technical assistance to the Ministry of Regional
Development and Public Administration (MRDPA). Building on
the previous engagement, the current work addresses a
fundamental question: given Romania’s persistent development
challenges, how can the country do more with less when it
comes to the public infrastructure it needs? The key is to
enhance coordination and harmonization of different funding
sources, particularly infrastructure programs financed from
the state budget and from EU structural funds. The National
Local Development Program (PNDL), managed by the MRDPA, is
reviewed in depth, though the conclusions typically hold for
all state-budget-funded programs. This synthesis report
summarizes the main findings and recommendations from eight
final reports and 24 knowledge sharing workshops organized
in all eight regions in Romania in 2015. Several ‘bonus’
outputs were also produced, going beyond the terms of this
technical assistance (three investment guides, an applicant
guide, and an operational manual). This synthesis report –
along with all the outputs it draws from – is meant as a
practical tool for policymakers at the national, regional,
and local level. It also seeks to inform a broader audience
of private and nongovernmental stakeholders.