EU pledges Rs. 5.4Bn for rural development in Uva and Central Provinces

Sept 22, 2017 (LBO) - The European Union pledged Rs.

5.4 billion to rural areas of Uva and Central Provinces as part of a wider program of support to rural development in Sri Lanka, the Union said issuing a statement. "The assistance is aimed at reducing poverty in Uva and Central Provinces by improving both living conditions and food security," it said. The funds will benefit poor, rural communities in the Monaragala and Badulla districts in Uva Province, and in the Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts in Central Province. The projects will focus on promoting economic growth in the rural and estate sectors and increasing communities’ involvement in the use of the resources in their districts by strengthening small businesses, increasing the involvement of women and young people in decisions about job creation, and building awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease. The funds will be provided through five civil society organisations: CARE, ACTED, Oxfam, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and Stichting Solidaridad. European Union’s to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Ambassador Tung-Lai Margue said the European Union wants to help deliver tangible and sustainable improvement in people’s lives by improving development in these regions in a way that is economically and environmentally sustainable. In Sri Lanka, EU development cooperation for the period up to 2020 is focusing on supporting the areas of Integrated Rural Development, and Reconciliation and Democratic Governance.