US$ 35,000 grant to six projects to help youth development in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The World Bank Monday gave out US$ 35,000 grant to six projects that will help youth development work in Sri Lanka.

In its second consecutive year, the 2006 small grants programme aims to build capacity and develop management skills among Sri Lankans within the ages of 18-30 years. Bank's Country Director Peter Harrold told Lankapuvath.

The Sri Lanka youth parliament, based in Colombo, got two grant cheques each worth US$ 5,000 to expand their regional and national level programmes.

The other five got US$ 5,000 each for a variety of projects ranging from training youth in the Sinharaja forest area to become local tour guides to upholding children's rights in the estates of Parakaduwa.

The recipients for 2006 are Sri Lanka Youth Parliament, Colombo, Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum, Kotte, Sri Lanka Jathika Peace Development Society, Haliela, Derana Community Development Foundation, Waskaduwa, Organisation for Environment and Children Rights Preservation, Parakaduwa, Total Development Association, Hambantota.

The Bank received 47 applications for this year's award, lower than 187 received for assistance in 2005.

(Lankapuvath)