Filenews 8 July 2022
The approval of "THALIA 2021-2027", which is a key component of the "Cyprus-tomorrow" Plan, marks the official start of the new investment period of the Cohesion Policy, said the President of the Republic, at the approval ceremony of the program "THALIA 2021-2027", which was held in the presence of the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira.
"The total amount for the implementation of the "THALIA" Program amounts to 1.8 billion euros, with a national contribution of 840 million euros. A Programme that aims to shape a robust and competitive economy through smart, digital and green investments, under conditions of healthy employment and social cohesion, in full alignment with the policies and objectives of the European Union. In this context, it includes the implementation of more than 120 projects and sponsorship plans in five policy axes that I will briefly present, as the competent Ministers will have the opportunity in the coming days and weeks to analyze in detail", the President noted.
The policy axes
- The first policy axis, amounting to €312 million, concerns the transition to the digital era through the promotion of investments in the fields of Research and Innovation, Digital transformation and the strengthening of Entrepreneurship, thus adapting the development of the economy to the needs of the modern era.
- The second policy axis, amounting to €783 million, relates to the rapid transition to the Green Economy, with sponsorship plans and investments in clean energies, circular economy, biodiversity protection, enhancing urban mobility and tackling climate change. Of these, 187 million euros will be allocated through the newly established Just Transition Fund for the further acceleration and penetration of Renewable Energy Sources in the country's energy mix, something that we all recognize as a priority for the immediate reduction of energy consumption costs in households and businesses, but also the implementation of our obligations to achieve climate neutrality.
- The third policy axis, amounting to €30 million, concerns the strengthening of the interconnectivity of the road network through the completion of the southern perimeter of Nicosia, but also the decongestion of traffic in the interurban network, with the installation of intelligent transport systems.
- The fourth pillar, amounting to €424 million, is linked to the completion of our plans for the creation of a fair and inclusive society, focusing on further supporting those in need of the assistance and protection of the State. Investments are provided for projects for the employment and training of unemployed and young people, as well as the activation of women in the labor market through the subsidy of tuition fees in nurseries for the attendance of children up to 4 years old. "A plan that I am pleased to say will be implemented next September," he noted.
The pillar also includes school actions of social inclusion, especially of children with a migrant biography, social integration of people with disabilities through the operation of an Autism Center, the creation of new homes for supported living and the strengthening of the disability assessment system, as well as the provision of food and material assistance to the needy.
The latter axis is linked to the radical reform of Local Government and the substantial support of the Government in this collective effort, through the payment of resources of €182 million to local authorities to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Resources that will be allocated to upgrades of open public spaces and places of cultural activities, such as squares, parks, amphitheatrs and multipurpose centres, but also to investments in urban mobility infrastructure through the creation of bicycle paths and pedestrian streets.
Jobs
As mentioned by the President of the Republic, the "THALAIA" Program is expected to add an additional percentage of 6% to the Gross Domestic Product by 2029, while it is planned to create 8,500 new, well-paid jobs.
