COOK
ISLANDS TO GET $1.6 MILLION FROM EU
RAROTONGA,
Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, May 27) - Many non-governmental
organizations are expected to benefit from new European Union
funding in the next financial year.
A
total of $1.6 million has been pledged by the EU towards the
Outer Island Development Program.
The
money is not listed as aid in the new budget, as it is destined
for specific causes, according to Don Beer Jr., chairman of
the budget committee.
"It
is separated from the aid schedule for reasons of transparency,"
he explained. "The EU has to agree exactly what the money will
be spent on before it is appropriated and it is all part of
a dedicated program for the outer islands."
Some
$700,000 will go to the Ministry Of Health for medical equipment
in the outer islands.
A
further $500,000 will go towards educational developments and
$200,000 has been earmarked for human resources.
$67,800
will go to CIANGO, while other specific causes in the outer
islands will receive a total of $108,174
Among
those to benefit will be women's groups on Mangaia, Penrhyn
and Palmerston, and $15,000 will be donated to the National
Council of Women.
Youth
organizations on Atiu and Aitutaki will also receive grants
of $15,000, and the Cook Islands Creative Centre is to get a
$10,000 boost.
Crab
conservation on Mitiaro gets $3000 and a further $5000 will
go towards the Veitatei Lake conservation scheme on Mangaia.
The Ivirua Community Stairways project, also on Mangaia, gets
$8197.
Another
grant of $10,330 will go to the NGO project cycle and management
training.
Cook
Islands News 27th May 2004
