We are pleased to announce the seven projects that have been selected for funding from the communication and development education grant programme, launched within the European Year for Development 2015. The selected projects are:

1. Carpaterra Association for the project ”Play to learn. An alternative educational tool for schools”
2. Centre for International Cooperation and Development Studies (IDC) - Faculty of Political Science, University of Bucharest, for the project "PrindeTRENdul-Train4AID [Training and public awareness-raising campaign on global solidarity] 
3. Civicus Association for the project ”Comunicarea Cooperării în Dezvoltare se face cu GRAFFITI în mileniul trei!!!”
4. European Actors Association (EurActiv), for the project ”We develop! – Romanian initiative on International Development Cooperation”
5. Romanian Association for International Cooperation and Development (ARCADIA), for the project ”Multiplied information, greater impact”
6. Romanian Centre for European Policy (CRPE), for the project ”Investing in quality journalism on international development – a sustainable approach to raising public awareness on development cooperation and global issues”
7. Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR), for the project ”Say it, Play it, Think it forward! The Blueprint of a Movement”

We would also like to thank all those interested in the programme and who applied to this call. Following the launch of the call for proposals, 58 applications have been received from 53 Romanian organizations. The full list of applicants can be downloaded here. The evaluation process has been conducted by the UNDP project team, according to the selection criteria provided in the call for proposals. The selected projects will be financed by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission within the European Year for Development 2015 national work plan and implemented in partnership with the UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and Central Asia.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Romania announces the winners of the competition “Energy Efficiency Begins with Local Communities”. The evaluation panel established the following ranking:

1. Vulcan Local Administration, Hunedoara County;

2. Brad Local Administration, Hunedoara County;

3. Galicea Mare Local Administration, Dolj County.

Targeting the local administrations in Dolj and Hunedoara counties, “Energy Efficiency Begins with Local Communities” competition was organized within the GEF-financed project “Improving Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Households and Communities in Romania”, implemented by UNDP Romania, in partnership with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (MRDAP), the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MMAP), Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings (AAEC).

The evaluation of the submitted applications was made by an evaluation panel consisting of one representative from each partner institutions - MDRAP, MMAP, AAECR, UNDP - and an independent expert in the project.

The prizes for the local administrations ranked in the top three consist in the provision and installation of a sustainable heating system for an institution (school, nursery, home for the elderly, etc.) in their respective municipalities: 1st prize - heating system maximum amount of $ 20,000, 2nd prize - heating system maximum amount of 17,500 dollars, 3rd prize - heating system maximum amount of $ 15,000.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Romania launches between 29 January-20 February 2015 the competition “Energy Efficiency Begins with Local Communities” which targets the local administrations in Dolj and Hunedoara counties.

Organized within the project “Improving Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Households and Communities in Romania”, the contest aims to involve as many communities in the pilot areas of the project and aims to reward the efforts of local authorities on energy efficiency measures and use of energy from renewable resources.

To this end, local administrations are invited, as of 29 January 2015 until 20 February 2015 to submit their applications, which must evidence the energy efficiency measures undertaken in their City Hall buildings and use of alternative energy in these buildings.

The prizes for the local administrations ranked in the top three will consist in the provision and installation of a sustainable heating system for an institution (school, nursery, home for the elderly, etc.) in their respective municipalities: 1st prize - heating system maximum amount of $ 20,000, 2nd prize - heating system maximum amount of 17,500 dollars, 3rd prize - heating system maximum amount of $ 15,000.

Further details regarding the competition and application rules may be found here.

The GEF-financed Project "Improving the Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Households and Communities in Romania" is implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Romania), in partnership with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (MRDAP), the Ministry of Environment, Association of Energy Auditors for Buildings (AAEC) and six local municipalities in Dolj and Huneadoara counties.