GOVERNMENT on Friday signed an euro11-million financing agreement with the European Union (EU) for the implementation of phase two of the Poverty Reduction Programme that will, over the next six years, target for development some of the most depressed communities across the island.

Under the agreement, the EU will pump euro10.1 million (just over J$900 million) into the programme over the next four years. The Jamaican government will foot the balance of the euro11 million, according to Finance Minister Dr Omar Davies.

The programme, which is scheduled to start before year-end, aims to alleviate poverty through sustainable growth, with particular emphasis on the promotion of community safety and the reduction of criminal behaviour in volatile and vulnerable communities.

This is expected to be achieved through the implementation of projects including, but not limited to, income-generating activities, infrastructure and water projects as well as health and sanitation, crime prevention and education-related projects, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The programme also includes the construction of a family court in Lucea, Hanover.

“The main purpose of the programme is the improvement of socio-economic conditions and quality of life in communities with special emphasis on volatile areas,” said Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni, the European Commission (EC) head of delegation to Jamaica at Friday’s signing at the offices of the Ministry of Finance and Planning in Kingston.

“[The] primary and overarching objective of the European Union is the eradication of poverty in partner countries and regions in the context of sustainable development,” he added.

The programme will be undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in collaboration with the Social Development Commission and the National Security and Justice ministries.

During Friday’s signing, JSIF chairman Dr Wesley Hughes said that the communities that are to benefit from the programme were not yet identified. Approximately 40 communities are expected to benefit from the programme.

Approximately 29 communities, mostly in rural Jamaica, benefited from phase one of the programme that ended last year after a five-year run. That programme cost euro7 million.

On Friday Ambassador Mazzocchi-Alemanni said the programme complemented the commission’s new thrust of targeting crime and debt in Jamaica and is a precursor to the upcoming ‘Governance Programme’ to be funded under the 10th European Development Fund. The Governance Programme is scheduled to start next year.