Building Reintegrated and Prosperous Communities
The "Building Reintegrated and Prosperous Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (BiH)project is implemented under UMCOR's Economic Development program and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Implementation commenced in October 2003 and will
be completed by 31 December 2005. The goal of the program is to increase, strengthen and solidify the economic opportunities of vulnerable minority returnee communities.
The program provides assistance to minority returnees
and their communities as well as to vulnerable members of
the domicile population. Particular attention is paid to
female beneficiaries. UMCOR activities combine the
following program components:
- Grants and subsidized loans
To provide small grants and partial-repayment subsidized
loans at minimal interest with flexible and favourable
repayment conditions, enabling families and individuals
within communities to increase their income.
- CEAS
To focus on and provide assistance to communities through
community grants and the provision of technical assistance
to community organizations. This enablesthem to maximise the
impact of grants, build capacity and strengthen community
self-sufficiency. This is known as Community Economic
Action Strategies or CEAS.
- Housing
Initially, the goal was to reconstruct between 20 – 25 housing units throughout BiH. Due to additional funding provided, a total of 39 beneficiary households and 175 individual beneficiaries were provided housing unit reconstruction assistance. A total of 12 beneficiary households were reconnected to the low voltage electrical network.
About the Program
Grants and subsidized loans
Potential beneficiaries of UMCOR income generation grants
and subsidized loans submit an application/business plan
to UMCOR field staff. Those people who are selected for
UMCOR assistance would not normally have access to or be
eligible for a loan from a conventional source of finance,
such as a bank or a micro-credit organization. Through
UMCOR's program, they are able to acquire the financial
means to set up small businesses, purchase equipment,
machinery and tools, buy livestock or seed and generally
create the means of supporting themselves and their
families and assuring a sustained return to their pre-war
community.
Grants and subsidized loans are awarded according to
certain criteria such as number of dependents, invalid or
elderly family members, female head of household and more.
Repayment varies according to the situation of each
beneficiary. Some loans are repaid in-kind with either
products or services to the community, while others are
partially repaid in cash with minimal interest. Particular
attention is paid to assisting vulnerable minority
returnees, primarily in rural areas, with emphasis on
female beneficiaries, as well as vulnerable majority
returnees or members of the domicile population.
Community Economic Action Strategies
(CEAS)
UMCOR is working to further improve the results of economic assistance for selected minority returnee communities by developing the CEAS Program. The goal is to stimulate additional economic growth for communities throughout BiH by forming associations or cooperatives. These formal organizations allow micro-producers to enter the market collectively. Such groups are more attractive to potential buyers than numerous small-scale, individual producers. Moreover, working together enables a pool of resources and know-how, while reducing material and administrative costs. These associations and cooperatives are known as
CEAS partners. This program is seen as the second step to supporting income generation for members of returnee communities.
UMCOR activities in this field include:
- Provision of community grants to selected CEAS partners including agricultural organizations /
cooperatives, business associations and local NGOs
- Registration of new associations / cooperatives
- Provision of various training and/or consultancy for selected CEAS partners in the areas of production,
marketing and more.
- Provision of technical assistance to enable selected CEAS partners to improve operational systems
- Provision of small material inputs, such as office furniture and equipment, for selected CEAS Partners
Housing
The "Building Reintegrated and Prosperous Communities" program also incorporates a small housing reconstruction component. This section of the program provides durable housing solutions for minority returnees returning to their pre-war communities. The houses are reconstructed according to the self-help methodology whereby, beneficiaries receive materials and technical assistance to enable them to rebuild their own home. For Extremely Vulnerable Cases (EVCs), who are unable to rebuild their house themselves, there is the option of reconstruction by external building contractor.
"Building Reintegrated and Prosperous Communities in BiH" is the second program of this nature, funded by USAID and implemented by UMCOR BiH. The first program, "Sustaining
Minority Returns in Bosnia and Herzegovina," was completed in 2003.
Updated July 2005
Click for more details on UMCOR's Relief Program
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Click here for the USAID website
Grants & Loans
Bahrudin Nurkanovic
Sanja Puhalo
CEAS
Popovka Cooperative, Trebinje
Agriplod Cooperative, Stolac
Association of beekeepers in Visegrad
Behar - Association of Fruit Producers, Koraj
Housing
Azra Malagic (a widow) and her five daughters and mother-in-law are minority returnees who returned to Glogova Village in Bratunac Municipality in 2003. UMCOR provided housing reconstruction and reconnection to the electrical network assistance of their pre-war home in the spring of 2004.
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