News

Sixth meeting of the RHP Fund Assembly of Donors held at the CEB

27 March 2014

PARIS - The first 2014 meeting of the RHP Fund Assembly of Donors today brought together representatives of the EU, Switzerland, the USA, Germany, Italy and Turkey. 

The CEB updated the Donors on the latest developments in RHP implementation. The Donors welcomed the progress on the ground and noted with appreciation that the first Grant Agreements have now been signed by Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina will follow suit.

The Assembly of Donors also discussed, in the presence of the UNHCR, the present status and complexity of the beneficiary selection in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Donors concluded that they will continue the dialogue with the country on this topic and that the potential need for additional support to the BiH authorities shall also be analysed, to avoid potential delays in project implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Another important conclusion of the meeting concerned sustainability: the international community will closely coordinate its efforts so as to facilitate the overall social and economic integration of the RHP beneficiaries.

The next Assembly of Donors meeting is scheduled to be held on 24 June in Croatia, together with the RHP Steering Committee meeting. Further information about this upcoming event will be published on the RHP website www.regionalhousingprogramme.org.


The Regional Housing Programme (RHP) aims at offering housing solutions to about 27 000 households or 74 000 refugees and displaced persons that are considered as most vulnerable, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia (the Partner Countries). The total investment cost of the Programme, over an estimated five-year period, should amount to € 584 million.  The CEB manages the RHP Fund and the Housing Programme itself. The European Commission, the United States of America, the UNHCR, the OSCE and other countries provide financial support.

Set up in 1956, the CEB (Council of Europe Development Bank) has 41 Member States. Twenty-two Central, Eastern and South Eastern European countries, forming the Bank's target countries, are listed among the Member States. As a major instrument of the policy of solidarity in Europe, the Bank finances social projects by making available resources raised in conditions reflecting the quality of its rating (Aaa with Moody's, outlook negative, AA+ with Standard & Poor's, outlook stable and AA+ with Fitch Ratings, outlook stable). It thus grants loans to its Member States, and to financial institutions and local authorities in its Member States for the financing of projects in the social sector, in accordance with its Articles of Agreement.