The Predoiu Government allocated an additional 21.7 million lei (over 4 million euros) on May 29 for Romanian churches abroad through the Department for Romanians Everywhere. The funding targets projects that include acquisitions, modernizations, or expansions of places of worship.
This amount adds to the over 61 million lei (around 12 million euros) previously distributed by the Ciolacu Government in April, bringing the total spent in 2025 to over 82 million lei, according to G4Media.
Churches abroad, major beneficiaries
Most of the funds go to Orthodox churches and monasteries in countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.
The funded projects include renovations, building acquisitions, construction of community centers, parish schools, and social centers. In Italy alone, over ten parishes are funded.
This infusion of funds comes at a time when authorities are discussing salary cuts, job cuts in administration, and other austerity measures to correct the budget imbalances accumulated in recent years.
Thus, while the population is warned about upcoming cuts, the state is pumping millions into religious projects in the diaspora.
From roofs to cultural centers
The list of approved projects is long and varied. In Australia, the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate receives 1.5 million lei for the continuation of a multifunctional center.
In Italy, the parish of Saint Lucia in Venice receives 3 million lei for the arrangement of a community center.
Other significant amounts are allocated to Spain, Belgium, and France.
Italy concentrates the most funded projects: church constructions, renovations, social centers, or religious heritage restorations. Spain follows with projects targeting the construction of a church foundation in Burgos or the arrangement of parish educational centers in Bilbao, projects that absorb over a million lei.