Assistance and support from the Swedish Government for five groups of local public authorities involved in voluntary mergers

The Moldovan-Swedish PACE Local project: Local Public Administration, Civic Engagement, implemented by SALAR International with support from the Government of Sweden through Sida, is launching the Local Governance Strengthening Program, through which it will support local public authorities (LPAs) involved in voluntary amalgamation. Through this initiative, PACE Local aims to strengthen the capacity of local administrations to deliver public services that are more efficient, transparent, and better aligned with citizens’ needs.
Voluntary amalgamation represents a strategic step in local public administration reform, in line with Law No. 225/2023, aimed at more efficient management of infrastructure and public services. The program launched by PACE Local seeks to accelerate the implementation of this reform between 2025 and 2027, while providing support to develop successful models of local cooperation.
The Local Governance Consolidation Programme is addressed to groups (clusters) of first-level Local Public Authorities that have formally initiated the amalgamation process, based on decisions of local councils and public consultations with communities.
To request support and assistance, the groups must submit a joint application file, which includes a letter of intent signed by the mayors, confirmation of citizen consultations, and a joint declaration of participation.
The Moldovan-Swedish programme aims to select five LPA clusters in the first stage and later expand support to other groups engaged in voluntary amalgamation.
Each of the five selected groups will benefit from technical assistance, mentoring, and funding of up to 885,000 Swedish kronor (SEK), equivalent to approximately 80,000 EUR, with a minimum 10% co-financing requirement. Eligible activities include expertise in local management, public information campaigns, development of One-Stop Shops for Public Services (CUPS), pilot digitalization activities, preparation of technical projects to attract investment, capacity building for local officials, and upgrading of spaces used for citizen interaction.
Through this call, PACE Local promotes a new culture of local governance based on cooperation, accountability, and participation, focused on citizens’ needs and benefits. The voluntary amalgamation process is a model of cooperation aimed at modernizing public administration, improving communities’ access to quality services and investments, while also strengthening citizens’ trust in public institutions.
Application files must be submitted electronically to moldova@salarinternational.se, with the mandatory subject line: “Application – Support for voluntary amalgamation – (name of LPA group)”. The deadline for submission is 16 November 2025, 18:00.