EU gives grants of N$26,6 million

THE first three of 18 grants in different sectors were paid out by the European Union last Friday.

The emerging commercial farmers support programme received N$9,46 million from EU Ambassador Dr Elisabeth Pape during a handing over ceremony at the National Planning Commission (NPC). A training programme for artisans, which is run by the Kayec Trust got N$9,04 million and a community programme in the Caprivi and Kavango regions for sustainable use of natural resources, run by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), received N$8,14 million.According to Ambassador Pape, the grants are part of N$530 million set aside for rural poverty reduction programmes, jointly managed by the NPC and the EU.”The NPC called for proposals last year and 115 applications were received, 20 projects for N$140 million were recommended and 18 were finally selected,” Pape said.”The first three grants are issued …with the aim to reduce poverty in rural areas.Especially the NNF programme for Kavango and Caprivi are to benefit 18 conservancies and seven community forests incorporating 80 village development committees.”Raimar von Hase, President of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said the training and support programme for emerging farmers and resettlement beneficiaries had taken three years to finally take off.A training programme for artisans, which is run by the Kayec Trust got N$9,04 million and a community programme in the Caprivi and Kavango regions for sustainable use of natural resources, run by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), received N$8,14 million.According to Ambassador Pape, the grants are part of N$530 million set aside for rural poverty reduction programmes, jointly managed by the NPC and the EU.”The NPC called for proposals last year and 115 applications were received, 20 projects for N$140 million were recommended and 18 were finally selected,” Pape said.”The first three grants are issued …with the aim to reduce poverty in rural areas.Especially the NNF programme for Kavango and Caprivi are to benefit 18 conservancies and seven community forests incorporating 80 village development committees.”Raimar von Hase, President of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) said the training and support programme for emerging farmers and resettlement beneficiaries had taken three years to finally take off.