(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- The Government of the Brussels-Capital Region in Belgium on Thursday approved a proposal to choose the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) as a new priority region of Brussels development cooperation, meaning it will be eligible for increased funding.
State Secretary for International Relations and Development Cooperation of the Brussels-Capital Region Pascal Smet approved the proposal following consultation with relevant civil society organisations and following a fact-finding mission last year in East Jerusalem and Ramallah, Belgian news agency Belga reported today.
'Supporting the development of the OPT is now a priority for the Brussels Region,' Smet noted in a statement, adding that he was 'able to identify local realities and needs,' during the recent visit. 'I saw that we have a role to play there.'
The decision means that, from this year onwards, the government can actively offer support to associations that set up such projects, for example in the areas of women and youth entrepreneurship, urban agriculture, the development of the service and hospitality sector, as well as waste management, said Belga.
'I think it is important for the European capital to send a message of solidarity with the Palestinians and choose to assist them in this,' Smet concluded.
Accordingly, the Governorate of Ramallah and Al-Bireh will become the local partner of the future development cooperation agreement.
Belgian civil society organisations recognised by the Belgian foreign affairs ministry as part of the cooperation can apply for project funding between 50,000 euro (USD 54,000) and 125,000 euro (USD 135,000).
Other non-recognised CSOs are eligible for project funding between 10,000 euro (USD 10,850) and 25,000 euro (USD 27,000). (end)
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