MMR will provide 21 million for barrier-free building modifications

Prague - The Minister for Regional Development Cyril Svoboda has approved subsidies for nine projects aimed at barrier-free adjustments to buildings totaling 21 million crowns. The ministry will contribute ten million crowns, which will be released from the Barrier-Free Municipalities program aimed at improving the mobility of disabled citizens in residential care homes and in municipal and town hall buildings. The MMR informed ČTK about this today.
    Sixteen applicants sought support from the Barrier-Free Municipalities program; the adjustments will ultimately benefit buildings in Plzeň, Kladno, Šternberk, Semily, Krnov, Rakovník, Svitavy, Valašské Klobouky, and Napajedla. "The program significantly contributes to enhancing the social cohesion of towns and municipalities. By approving these projects, the ministry supports the completion of barrier-free access to the buildings in the mentioned towns," added Svoboda.
    The Barrier-Free Municipalities program was announced for the first time this year. Its goal is to support projects aimed at removing barriers at building entrances and exits, as well as barriers within buildings, barrier-free adaptations of restrooms and sanitary facilities in public spaces, and the acquisition and implementation of lifting and transport technologies and systems. It is part of the regional development support programs funded by European Union funds.
    For the years 2007 to 2013, the European Union has allocated 26.7 billion euros for the Czech Republic, which is currently approximately 709.5 billion crowns. At the end of last year, the amount of money designated in European funds for the Czech Republic exceeded 750 billion crowns according to the original exchange rate.
     
List of supported projects within the Barrier-Free Municipalities project:

Applicant	Project	Total costs in thousands CZK	Own resources in thousands CZK	Subsidy in thousands CZK
City of Šternberk	Removal of barriers in the buildings of the Šternberk City Hall	2325	1162	1163
Statutory City of Kladno	Establishment of barrier-free entrances to the Statutory City of Kladno's buildings	1896	948	948
City of Semily	Semily - barrier-free adjustments to the town hall building	2435	1217	1218
City of Krnov	Removal of barriers and construction of an elevator in the municipal office building	3169	1669	1500
Statutory City of Plzeň	Extension of an elevator and barrier-free restroom for the Plzeň City Hall	2252	1126	1126
City of Rakovník	Construction of an elevator to the municipal office building	4053	2553	1500
City of Svitavy	Acquisition of a mobile platform - stair climber	350	175	175
City of Valašské Klobouky	Construction of an elevator in the Residential Care Home	1895	947	948
City of Napajedla	Barrier-free route	2694	1347	1347