|PIC1|World Vision and micro finance institution AgroInvest are committed to striving for 'life in all its fullness' for the people of Serbia.

The ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party (SRS) has claimed victory in the first elections in Serbia since the dissolution of the State of Union between Montenegro and Serbia.

Although the SRS have taken 28.5 per cent of the vote, they are not expected to find partners to form a governing coalition.

Since May, economic reforms and EU membership talks have frozen. Addressing the stalled co-operation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and the UN proposal for the final status of Kosovo will all be major issues facing the new government.

With over 7,000 microcredit clients in Serbia, AgroInvest, founded by World Vision, plans to become an important player in the sustainable development of the country, with a focus on rural families.

"Economic development alone, does not bring 'life in all its fullness', therefore we will address community and spiritual development as well," said AgroInvest National Director Kyhl Amosson.

Amosson is planning to set aside a percentage of the microfinance revenues each year to invest in the development of rural communities, while existing village associations will be trained and involved in setting priorities and developing programmes to improve social cohesions, village and spiritual life.

"We need this holistic approach," said Milanka Radonjic, Agroinvests branch-office manager in Kraljevo. "Serbia is in a financial, a moral, and a political crisis. We had war over the past 16 years and there is no confidence in the future."

AgroInvest is continuing to integrate community development practices into the micro enterprise development business, World Vision reports.