Nominations for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2005

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000646

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR PRM: TTARGOS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE: JMITCHELL
BELGRADE FOR DSALAZAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF HR
SUBJECT: Nominations for Ambassador's Refugee Fund 2005

REF: STATE 27113


1. Post is pleased to submit project proposals for PRM's Ambassador
Refugee Fund. Projects were identified in consultation with UNHCR
and others. Post is submitting a third project in the event that
additional funding is available.

GRADAC COLLECTIVE CENTER KINDERGARTEN (USD 5000)


2. Background: For 2005, the GOC is implementing a "rationalization
plan" for its refugee collective centers to reduce the number of
centers around the country and centralize the inhabitants. Gradac
Collective Center (GCC) will grow to more than 100 residents this
year, making it the biggest refugee facility in the region.

Location Profile: Gradac is a small coastal village with
approximately 2000 inhabitants. Residents at GCC will be
predominately Bosnian Croat although some will be Bosniak, (exact
figures are not yet known).

Recipient: Mi Split has successfully run a kindergarten in CC
Split.

Project: GCC currently has no kindergarten, nor are children
eligible to attend local schools or educational programs. Social
workers have commented on the need in collective centers for
activities encouraging socialization and development of
interpersonal relations.

Use of Funds: Room repairs, purchase of chairs, tables and didactic
materials. Funds would also support a teacher's salary for a few
hours daily for 12 months. GOC's Office for Displaced Persons and
Refugees has agreed to allow the kindergarten to operate in the
facility.

Public Diplomacy: The project is a good public diplomacy
opportunity to demonstrate USG support for refugees of all
ethnicities.

PLASKI COMMUNITY LIBRARY (USD 5000)


3. Background: Plaski receives no significant funding from the GOC
and remains a severely economically-depressed area. In the
municipality of 2300 residents, there are only about 100 jobs; the
majority of residents are unemployed.

Location Profile: Before the war Plaski was an ethnic Serb village
of 4,000, although most left by the end of the conflict. Today the
village of 2300 residents is equally divided between ethnic Serb
returnees and mostly Bosnian Croat settlers. Relations between two
ethnic communities have been tense since the war although there
have been no significant conflicts. Recently the town made
headlines when the local administration considered changing some
street names honoring the Homeland War to Serb historical figures.

Recipient: Post would work directly with the library.

Project: In 2003, Plaski opened a small library/reading room with
funding from the Ministry of Culture and the municipality.
According to the Ministry, the library is one of the country's
neediest, owning only 2945 titles. The library would like to
create an exhibit space to attract and inform users about authors
and their works, organize community activities, lectures, and
readings.

Use of Funds: Two computers and printers (for public use and
internet access),shelving for books and display items, and books.
Post would purchase a combination of American authors and required
school books.

Public Diplomacy: The project is an excellent opportunity to
highlight USG's support for interethnic tolerance, cooperation, and
community-building.

IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS EXIST: DONJI LAPAC PLAYROOM (USD 5000)


4. Background: The entire municipality of Lapac (354 square km,
2,300 inhabitants) previously had no functioning kindergartens
until the Red Cross and Red Crescent established a playroom in

2003. The playroom is situated in a reconstructed building that
was a destroyed high school. In 2004, the Norwegian Refugee
Council (NRC) financed the playroom but will discontinue funding in
June 2005 for financial reasons. The playroom has proven able to
fill the gap of a proper kindergarten.

Location Profile: Before the war, Donji Lapac was about 95% ethnic
Serb. Most residents left during the conflict and the region was
severely destroyed. The region is now a mixed community: an
estimated 75% of the population is ethnic Serb while the remaining
25% is ethnic Croat (mostly Bosnian Croat settlers)

Recipient: Croatian Red Cross' branch office would supervise.

Project: As no kindergarten or playroom facility exists in the
region, this facility serves as a valuable resource for the
community. Currently 34 children are enrolled - 20 Croats (from
settler families) and 14 Serbs (from returnee families). The
playroom ethnic breakdown is the opposite to that of the ethnic
structure in the Lapac municipality due to the fact that most Serb
returnees are elderly and Bosnian Croat residents are usually young
families.

Use of Funds: Funds would cover a teacher's salary to work part-
time (four hours daily),including pension and health
contributions. The current teacher is a social worker and has
received praise from previous donors. The municipality pays for
utility costs.

Public Diplomacy: Post would highlight its support for an
underdeveloped, war-affected region.

Frank


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