§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 21 June 2004,Official Report, column 1219W, on Zambia, what specific projects have received support in the Milanzi constituency of the Eastern Province of Zambia. [187537]
§ Hilary BennTo date, one project specific to Milanzi constituency is receiving support. A local NGO called Shade the Shame has just been granted funding of £10,000 from the DFID financed Small Grant Scheme (SGS). Shade the Shame co-ordinates the activities of women's clubs in the district and currently has 22 affiliate clubs with 1,200 members. Each club specialises in a particular income generating activity. DF1D's Grant will help purchase more equipment for the clubs, enhancing their productivity and increasing members' incomes.
The SGS is managed by the British High Commission, and has a small budget each year. Priority is given to small-scale community enterprises that show an awareness of HIV and AIDS prevention and coping initiatives, and are environmentally sensitive.
The Eastern Province of Zambia is the main focus for SGS funding this year. DFID is in the process of assessing a large number of applications from the Province, including some more proposals from the Milanzi constituency. Final decisions will be made by the end of September.