WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005- The following project was approved today by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors:

IDA GRANT AMOUNT: $38.0 million

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This project’s main objective is to scale-up the direct transfer of public resources to local community organizations in poor rural areas and urban communities. The project aims to support economic rehabilitation and the creation of economic opportunities, including rapid job creation. It will improve basic services, such as education, health and sanitation, and improve economic governance, also at the local level. It will directly support 3 of the 4 pillars of the Interim Co-operation Framework agreed by the Transitional Government of Haiti and the donors a year ago.

For more information, please call Karina Manasseh at (202) 473-1729 or email kmanasseh@worldbank.org For project information documents, visit:

The World Bank: Projects and Operations