In a significant move to bolster its recycling sector, Romania is set to allocate €200 million in grants for the development of 26 new recycling plants across the nation. This funding initiative, part of the National Resilience Plan (PNRR), was announced by Laurenţiu Neculaescu, the head of the Environmental Fund Administration, on March 29, as reported by Bursa.ro.

Eligible projects must have a minimum value ranging from €0.5 million to €8.4 million. The grant's intensity will vary from 35% to 75%, depending on the specific development needs of the region where the project will be implemented.

Application submissions are anticipated between May 14-16, with evaluations to consider several factors, including the investment's yield, projected turnover, and the project's overall readiness.

Additionally, projects that promise to utilize at least 50% of materials produced from recycling activities in their manufacturing lines will qualify for state aid. However, initiatives focusing solely on waste sorting will not be considered for these grants. This strategic funding effort aims to significantly advance Romania's recycling capabilities and environmental sustainability efforts.