On the plot between Înfrățirii Square and the Episcopal Cathedral in Ungheni, the underground utility networks and the paths of the future urban garden have been built, and the ground has been levelled, Ungheni City Hall announced on its official page on Thursday, 22 October. Planting comes next. The European project funding the development is due to end on 11 December 2026, in about seven weeks.
What has been done and what comes next
According to City Hall, “dozens of plant species” will be planted on the plot, and the place will become “a true laboratory of learning and cooperation”. Spaces for biodiversity and pollinators are also announced, as well as areas for relaxation and socialising. The space lies near the Martyrs of the Nation memorial cross (Troița).
The work is carried out by SRL “Servicii Comunale Ungheni”, a company wholly owned by the municipality. The same company is listed as City Hall’s contractor in the project’s official sheet in the database of European cooperation programmes (keep.eu). City Hall announces that “the infrastructure costs will be covered by Ungheni City Hall”. The post does not state the cost of the work.
Who is putting up the money
The garden is being developed through the project “Cultivating Clean Air in Urban Environments” (code ROMD00453), under the Interreg NEXT Romania–Republic of Moldova 2021–2027 Programme. The project lead is the Business InnoHub Association of Ungheni, and the partners are Ungheni City Hall and the “Mai Bine” Association of Iași.
The total budget is 303.802,50 euros, of which the European Union covers 273.422,25 euros. City Hall’s share is 152.261 euros, the largest of the three partners, according to the project sheet. Of this amount, 15.226,10 euros is the municipality’s contribution from the local budget, approved by Municipal Council Decision no. 1/11 of 28 January 2025. The same decision provides that other costs necessary for the project, incurred by City Hall, are made available to the project.
The project started on 12 June 2025 and runs for 18 months. Triunghi.md wrote about how the budget is divided among the partners in July, when work was about to begin: Ungheni City Hall calls itself „just a partner” in the downtown garden — but it puts up half the budget.
The urban garden, step by step
The Municipal Council approves the municipality's contribution from the local budget
The European project starts, running for 18 months
City Hall announces that the underground networks and paths are built and the ground is levelled
Planting comes next.
Deadline for the European project to end