The European Commission (EC) has approved a EUR 145 million Cohesion Fund investment in an environmental protection project on Romania's Black Sea coast. The scheme will target five exposed areas suffering from accelerated erosion on a 7.3 km section of coast between Constanța and Eforie Nord. The project is expected to generate around 250 jobs, according to the EC, which published details of the approval today (March 26 ).

The bulk of the investment is going towards protective structures and beach replenishment. According to the Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, the project is an example of how the structural funds contribute to environmental protection and regional economic development. The investments along the Black Sea coast will help to minimize the effects of coastal erosion and will benefit both tourists and local residents. The area's attractiveness for business development and tourism will be increased.

An additional benefit is a reduction oft he flood risk in the areas, potentially saving millions of euros in flood damage, according to the EC.

The scheme qualifies as a “major project” and thus requires an explicit decision from the EC, rather than at a national or regional level. It comes under the EU Coastal Marine and Policy: EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The EU will provide EUR 145 million in funds, while total investment is expected to be EUR 170 million. According to the EC, Romania's Black Sea coast attracts some 8 million visitors a year.

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Corina Chirileasa/Romania-Insider.com)