The strengthening and support of the local administration which was among the bigger losers of the crisis was one of this government's main commitments, Interior Minister Alexis Charitsis noted in a statement to Athens-Macedonian News Agency on Sunday. "Despite the fiscal restrictions, for the first time after many years, we increased the state funding to the local administration and we created new financing tools adapted to their needs. The minister said that over 1.8 bln euro are allocated to the municipalities and the regions for the implementation of infrastructures in water supply, sewerage, flood protection, school buildings.