HRK16 mn allocated for welfare needs and employment in small towns

ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - Agreements valued at more than HRK 16 million as part of a development and social cohesion programme intended to increase employment opportunities in small towns in Croatia were handed over on Thursday by Labour and Pension System Minister Josip Aladrovic.

The value of 13 agreements for the towns of Knin, Beli Manastir, Darda Municipality, Benkovac, Petrinja and Vukovar is valued at HRK 16.6 million and is aimed at urban regeneration of small towns that were affected by the 1990s war and at assisting vulnerable groups of the population in those areas by improving welfare services and providing jobs.

The aim is to increase employment including for the long-term unemployed and to develop cultural and artistic services for residents in those towns.

Minister Aladrovic, who was in Beli Manastir on Thursday underlined that the value of the tenders for these project is more than HRK 76 million while this government has agreed to almost HRK 9 billion from the European Social Fund with almost HRK 4 billion already being paid out.

"We expect that before the end of this programme period, we will have absorbed the maximum potential of the European Social Fund which is aimed at increasing social inclusion of vulnerable groups and activating all social groups so that society can obtain added value," Aladrovic said.

He said that next week the continuation of the project to employ women, which has already employed seven thousand women who provide carer services for 35,000 beneficiaries.

Osijek-Baranja deputy county prefect Goran Ivanovic welcomed the agreements and that they are earmarked for Beli Manastir and Darda municipality.

"This region has to be revived so that it can make up for falling behind due to the war years, which requires the support of the government and relevant ministries," said Ivanovic.

Beli Manastir Mayor Tomislav Rob explained that two civil society organisations that provide care for children and the elderly, would receive project agreements valued at about HRK 2.5 million.

( €1= HRK 7.4)

News source: www.hina.hr

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