Zrenjanin, 25 January 2019 – A number of key RHP stakeholders celebrated today the handing over of keys to 11 RHP beneficiary families, displaced persons from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, now permanently integrated in Serbia.

The RHP-funded building, with a total cost of about EUR 300 000, is part of the SRB4 sub-project, which will altogether provide a new home to over 1 400 families in Serbia.

Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, named some of the cities that will benefit from RHP funded housing: “In addition to this building, another RHP building with 40 apartments will be constructed in Zrenjanin. In the upcoming period, construction works will be finalised in Loznica, Kladovo, Negotin and Vrsac, as well as in Kamendin (Belgrade).”

Sem Fabrizi, Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, highlighted that, out of the total value of the RHP of EUR 285 million, the European Union has provided EUR 232 million, or 80%.

Andrea Orizio, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, said that he was pleased to witness the real value of the Regional Housing Programme – new apartments for people who have not had a home for years.

The true value of the RHP was summarised by the statement of Goran Tomas, a beneficiary from Osijek, Croatia, who had to flee in 1991: “Today, after 27 years of living in other people’s apartments, we finally have a place we can call home. This gives us joy and hope.”

The Mayor of Zrenjanin Cedomir Janjic reminded that the RHP is not just about providing housing: the municipality also puts special effort in creating employment opportunities for its citizens, including the RHP beneficiaries.

RHP info desk:  Secretariat of the Regional Housing Programme ceb-rhp@coebank.org