Brașov approves local guide for ‘Lift pentru Viață’ elevator program

Brașov has become the first city in Romania to approve a local application guide for the ‘Lift pentru Viață’ (Lift for Life) national program. The Brașov Local Council adopted the decision to implement Law no. 153/2026, which aims to install elevators in older residential buildings, specifically those with three or four floors.

The program is designed to improve accessibility for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, individuals with locomotor disabilities, and families with young children. It is estimated that millions of Romanians currently live in buildings lacking elevator access, effectively limiting their mobility.

While the local guide is now in place, full national implementation awaits methodological norms from the central government. The Ministry of Investments and European Projects is expected to develop the financing scheme, while the Ministry of Development will establish the rules for fund allocation and monitoring. Funding for these projects is expected to be a mix of non-reimbursable European funds, state and local budgets, and private donations or sponsorships.