ZADAR, Nov 26 (Hina) - An agreement on a World Bank donation of US$844,000 for the social and economic revival of previously war-struck areas in southern Croatia's Sibenik-Knin and Zadar counties was signed in Zadar on
Tuesday.
ZADAR, Nov 26 (Hina) - An agreement on a World Bank donation of
US$844,000 for the social and economic revival of previously war-
struck areas in southern Croatia's Sibenik-Knin and Zadar counties
was signed in Zadar on Tuesday. #L#
The agreement was signed by the World Bank director for south and
central Europe, Andrew Vorkink, and Jack Connoly, representative
for Croatia of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), which will
implement the programme in Croatia. In attendance were
representatives of local authorities and the Catholic and Orthodox
Churches.
The donation should enhance the position of endangered social
groups, especially returnees to pre-war homes, and help in the
establishment of social and economic ties between ethnic
communities.
The users, mainly agricultural cooperatives and non-governmental
organisations, will receive donations between 150,000 and half a
million kuna. Agricultural cooperatives will return one third of
the funds by giving their products to schools, soup kitchens, and
other social institutions.
Owing to the project's success, the World Bank will start
negotiations with the Croatian government about expanding the
project to all formerly war-struck areas in Croatia, said Vorkink,
adding the funds would be used for the overall revitalisation of
those areas.
CRS representative Connoly said such projects could succeed with
the help of local authorities.
(hina) ha