SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), October 24 (SeeNews) – The European Union and the German government have awarded 1 million euro ($1.2 million) in grants to 13 development projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU delegation in Bosnia said.
The grants are part of the EU ProLocal programme and were awarded at a ceremony held on October 18 in Banja Luka, the EU delegation said in a statement on Monday.
They represent the continuation of the support by the European Union and the government of Germany that was initiated in May 2017 with the allocation of 3 million euro for 83 small and medium-sized companies in Bosnia.
The development projects are the result of partnerships at the local level, focusing on wood and metal processing, agribusiness and tourism.
"Through support to local communities, the living conditions of citizens are improving, and that is the way in which the EU and the government of Germany want to further contribute to bringing the country closer to the European Union," Khaldoun Sinno, deputy head of the EU delegation to Bosnia, is quoted as saying.
The projects will contribute to the development of skills in the sector of wood and metallurgy by provide consulting and mentoring for entrepreneurs, as well as financial incentives for the realization of business ideas. They will also help the agribusiness in Bosnia increase sales and reduce export costs by accrediting laboratory methods and increasing yields by establishing pilot orchards and training.
Additionally, the projects funds will be invested in the promotion of investment potentials and the expansion of tourist offer in Herzegovina, the EU delegation explained
EU ProLocal co-financed by the EU and the government of Germany in the amount of 9 and 4 million euro, is implemented in several municipalities by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
EU ProLocal is one of the three components of the 19 million euro EU-funded Local Development and Employment Program, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises, local eco-development, NGOs and social development in Bosnia.
($=0.8503 euro)