1 October 2009

BELGRADE - Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration Bozidar Djelic today stated that the USAID will approve an additional $4.3 million of non-repayable aid for the development of the civil society in Serbia.
At a press conference held at the government building Djelic said that the USA is Serbia’s second largest donor of non-repayable fuds, recalling that since 2001 it has granted over €500 million towards improving Serbia’s administration, the energy system and for other needs of the Serbian citizens and its economy.
He explained that this donation is about improving the activities of the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) which is implementing a $14 million programme through which it has already financed 200 projects implemented by NGOs.

Djelic said that the programme will be additional support to a tolerant Serbia that wants to show that all who come here are welcome, regardless of their political or ethnic affiliation, sexual orientation and other differences.

USAID Mission Director to Serbia Michael Harvey stressed that the additional funds to be approved by the USAID will be put through the Civil Society Advocacy Initiative programme as direct assistance to the people.

Harvey said that this new form of financial support will help Serbian citizens to deal with problems related to environmental protection, poverty reduction, living conditions for the elderly and similar issues.

Source: EkoForum