Memorandum of understanding signed with government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(FBiH)
21 January 2004
UMCOR Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed a memorandum of
understanding with the FBiH Ministry for Refugees and
Displaced Persons which will co-finance an UMCOR income
generation program. The agreement, signed 16 January
2004, is valued at 500,000 convertible marks (KM) and will
be used to assist people returning to their pre-war
communities.
The income generation program provides assistance for
selected minority returnees and minority return
communities throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Beneficiaries receive soft loans and grants with partial
or in-kind repayments which enable them to start
businesses or buy livestock or materials and thereby,
generate their own income and provide for
themselves and their families. This ensures that
those returning to their pre-war home communities can make
a sustained return. The program is primarily funded by
USAID, while UMCOR BiH provides partial financing. The
agreement means that the FBiH Ministry for Refugees and
Displaced Persons will also become a program donor. This
additional funding will enable UMCOR to assist
approximately 150 beneficiaries.
UMCOR hopes that the government of the Republika Srpska
will make a similar co-financing contribution of 500,000
KM to the program, thereby ensuring the sustainability
of returns, improving the environment for further returns
and encouraging the revitalisation of communities
throughout BIH.
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