MANAGUA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) decided to provide funds for an anti-AIDS program in Nicaragua, the EU representation in the country said in a statement on Monday.

The program, which costs 1.9 million euros (some 3.02 million U.S. dollars), will be co-financed by a consortium formed by some Italian and Nicaraguan non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"It is about establishing alliance mechanisms to perform actions that contribute to decrease the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the population," especially in teenagers and youth, said the statement.

The EU will contribute 75 percent of the total funds the program needs, while the Italian NGOs 15 percent, and the Nicaraguan national organizations 10 percent.

The three-year program aims to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDSin 23 municipalities of Nicaragua's five provinces of Managua, Masaya, Granada, Carazo and Rivas.

The program will be carried out by the country's national authorities of health and education and the municipalities, according to the statement.