Filenews 21 March 2022
Implementation of 350 actions by the end of 2030, with a total budget of more than €525 million, is provided for in the "Integrated National Strategy for the Development of the Troodos Mountains", which was adopted by the government in 2019.
As the President of the Republic said, at the press conference on the state of implementation of the National Strategy for Mountain Communities and the revised housing plans and allowances for the support of rural residents, mountainous, border and disadvantaged areas, 194 actions, at a total cost of €367 million. whether they have been completed or are in the process of being implemented.
He added that the amount budgeted to be spent for the three-year period 2022 – 2024 for development projects in rural and mountain communities exceeds €370 million. and is increased by €125 million. compared to the previous three years. "And this without counting major road network projects that were constant and timeless demands of rural and mountain residents, totalling €350 million. I refer to projects concerning the Limassol – Saita road, the Pafos – Polis Chrysochous, Nicosia – Palaichori and Astromeritis – Evrychou motorway and the Nicosia perimeter motorway", noted the President of the Republic.
For actions of a horizontal and institutional nature, it is expected that by the end of 2022:
- The inclusion of the mountain communities of the Districts of Pafos, Larnaka and the rest of the Limassol District in the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities. "It goes without saying that of Nicosia. As is well known, the National Strategy for the Development of the Troodos Mountains would be the pilot part of a broader policy that with the above decision now covers all provinces".
- The establishment of the principle of mountainosity and the policy of mountain areas.
- The new Troodos Policy Statement, which is the executive spatial planning.
- The recognition of cottage industry as a secondary industry.
- The definition of special terms and specifications for the development and operation of visited - multifunctional farms.
Four projects are foreseen in the Cyprus for Tomorrow Programme which will make a significant contribution to the intended development of mountain communities in terms of agrotourism.
- The Environmental Impact Study for the Development of the Troodos Mountain Communities.
For development projects, the following are expected to be completed or started by the end of 2022:
- Tender notice for the construction of a heliport in Linou to meet firefighting, search and rescue needs.
- Call for tenders for the creation of a Regional Popular Market of Karvounas.
- Start of operation, as of today, of an Ambulance Station in Kampos.
- Reinforcement of the Ambulance Station in Pedoulas.
- Acceleration of procedures for the creation of a Troodos Industrial Area in Linou.
- Creation of a branch of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy in Platres.
- Elaboration of a study for the creation of a third uphill lane between Gerasa - Kalo Chorio. It is noted that the implementation of relevant improvement projects has already been promoted.
- Announcement of competitions, through the BOT method, for the upgrading of the National Center of High Sports "Glafkos Clerides" in Agros and creation of a High Sports Training Center in Prodromos.
- Operation of an Agronomy Branch at Solea Lyceum, which due to the interest shown by students I hope will start from the next school year.
- As far as the Troodos Hospital is concerned, the works of the Pulmonary Clinic and the upgrading of first aid are expected to be completed soon. We are at the end of the construction works and in consultation with the Minister of Health they will be staffed in such a way that the Troodos Hospital is really a regional hospital of the mountain communities.
- Announcement of competition for the creation of a Fire Station in Pedoulas, after the many adventures we had in terms of finding a suitable place. It has been found and we are moving forward to achieve this goal as well.
- Call for tenders for the construction of a new Police Station of Lania.
The housing plans
"Complementary and strengthening of the government's efforts to halt urbanization and support not only the residents of Troodos, but also more broadly of the countryside, the Mountainous, Border and Disadvantaged Areas, are the relevant housing plans, as well as the government's subsidy policy," the President said.
To date, applications for housing of €20 million have been approved, while with the completion of the evaluation of the pending applications, the total financial support is expected to exceed €25 million.
At the same time, as the President of the Republic of Cyprus said, after relevant consultations, findings of some disadvantages of the initially announced policy, and suggestions from the local authorities, organized groups, but also citizens, the need to modify the plans so that they become even more attractive and flexible for further attracting interest in permanent residence or even activity, especially in mountainous and disadvantaged areas, became apparent.
In response to these suggestions, it was decided:
- Increase both to the limit of financial support to those who wish to acquire permanent residence and to the limit of income criteria, further expanding the number of beneficiaries.
- To revise the criteria for inclusion in the projects, thereby increasing the number of municipalities whose inhabitants can benefit, which now stands at 277.
- Inclusion in the plans of additional border areas, both in Municipalities and in Pyla. I am referring to our border regions, which are being enlarged to allow for further use of the policy.
Moreover, in order to cover immediately all the applications that will be received, the relevant budget, compared to the previous year, has tripled, and now amounts to €15 million.
At the same time, it was decided to change the methodology of calculating the altitude, resulting in the benefit of 119 communities with a population of more than 25,000 inhabitants.
At the same time, it was decided to change the criteria for granting financial assistance to remote communities – that is, it depended on the distance from the centre of the metropolitan municipalities – with the consequent benefit of 130 communities with a population of more than 27,000 inhabitants.
