Regional cities and higher territorial units may apply for funding from the European Regional Development Fund. The Ministry of Health is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, EUR 8 million will be allocated. The municipalities will be able to use them for the purchase of protective equipment and for the provision of material and technical equipment to protect public health. On 10 December the Ministry of Health published a call for applications for non-refundable financial contribution coded IROP-PO2-SC214-2020-63. Higher territorial units and regional cities, which create the conditions for the provision of health care and contribute to the protection of public health as much as possible, may apply for a contribution. For example, they ensure the disinfection of public spaces and protective equipment. Especially for socially weaker and excluded fellow citizens or own workers, e.g. within client centres. At the same time, these are areas characterised by higher settlement rates, high migration, a dense network of urban public transport. Large cities are a popular place for people with disadvantaged groups with fewer or no hygiene habits who are more exposed to infection. The need for intervention in preventive measures is also supported by the fact that these are urban areas, where the diagnosis of suspects is most concentrated on COVID-19, with a higher risk of spreading the disease compared to other areas of the country. warned Minister for Health of the SR Marek Krajčí. As the Minister of Health has added, the support will mainly focus on the provision of protective equipment and equipment. Higher territorial units and regional cities will create mutual partnership within the territory of the respective self-governing region. The amount of funding for the call amounts to EUR 8 million from the European Regional Development Fund. The maximum contribution per project is depending on the type of project. A maximum amount of EUR 1 100 thousand is set for the project in the less developed region, and for the project in the more developed region, where the territory of the Bratislava region belongs, a maximum contribution of 970-tis is determined. the European Regional Development Fund. The call shall be open and applicants may submit the project within three deadlines, the last date for submission of the application being 31 March 2021. The Ministry of Health acts as

the intermediate body and the provider of the non-repayable financial contribution. For more information see the website http://www.mpsr.sk/index.php?navid=376.