Filenews 5 January 2023 - by Eleftheria Paizanou
Approximately thirty projects and sponsorships, amounting to €48.2 million, will be promoted later this year under the "Cyprus - tomorrow" Plan.
Through this plan, which is a combination of the Recovery Plan and the THALIA operational programme, the state will receive European funds totalling €4 billion in the coming years. €1.2 billion will come through the Recovery Plan until 2026, with the implementation of 271 prerequisites and €1.8 billion through THALIA, as well as €1.4 million private investments, which are expected to be activated for the implementation of the planned projects.
The new projects that will be funded concern the areas of enhancing the competitiveness of large enterprises, the digital upgrading of businesses and the promotion of the extroversion of Cypriot businesses. In addition, they are related to the provision of consulting services to small and medium-sized enterprises, incentives for the implementation of a circular operating model in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the installation / replacement of solar water heater in homes, as well as for the energy upgrade of buildings of local authorities and the wider public sector.
In addition, this year will continue the grant scheme for the installation of photovoltaics and thermal insulation of a roof of €70 million, the grant scheme for the installation of a photovoltaic system for charging an electric vehicle amounting to €1.5 million and, at the same time, the Energy Saving - Upgrading Plan for Businesses and other entities, amounting to €40 million, will be extended.
In the context of yesterday's press conference, Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos listed the main plans for projects that concern citizens and businesses for 2023. He also said the plan is a legacy of the Anastasiades Government to the next one. Among other things, the projects concern:
- Sponsorship plan for the conversion of buildings into student dormitories/ rooms in the walled city of Nicosia. The total allocation amounts to €15 million. During the first notice, 27 applications were submitted, of which 18 have been approved for inclusion in the accelerated permitting process and of these seven applicants applied for planning permission. So far an application for the creation of 13 student rooms has been approved.
- Installation of photovoltaic systems in National Guard camps, amounting to €19 million.
- Signing of contracts for seven proposals in "Dual-Use Technologies" projects, funded with €3 million from Recovery Fund.
- Grant Scheme for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to businesses and industries amounting to €20 million.
- Forest Protection - reinforcement of a framework for firefighting of €29.2 million
- Infrastructure of Eastern Nicosia for the re-use of treated wastewater, € 10.9 million
- Sponsorship Scheme for the genetic improvement of the sheep and goat population of Cyprus, costing €5 million.
- Upgrading and expansion of the Pancyprian Network of Green Points and creation of a Network of Collection Points and Recycling Corners, amounting to €1.3 million.
- Sponsorship plan for the upgrading of tourist accommodation / hotels in rural, mountainous and border areas, for the modernization and improvement of the competitiveness of the tourist product, amounting to €10 million.
- Sponsorship plan for the creation of medical facilities and facilities for autonomous assisted living in tourist accommodation / hotels, with the aim of attracting medical tourism and health and wellness tourism, amounting to €8 million.
- State Grant Plan for the creation of new or the expansion of existing childcare facilities, as well as specialized care and accommodation structures for children and adults with long-term care needs, amounting to €23.7 million.
- Implementation of the anti-bribery management system.
- Sustainable urban mobility plans, subsidies for electric vehicles and the installation of 500 electric vehicle charging points.
And a bill for the self-employed
According to the government spokesman, a project entitled "Gigabit Connectivity Grant" will also be promoted and a call for tenders will be launched for the project to record court hearings electronically.
Finally, in the context of the reform of the Social Insurance system, the bill for the extension of the coverage of the self-employed in unemployment benefit and sick pay will be submitted to Parliament next month. The bill on teleworking is expected to be finalised in May. The technocrats in the Directorate-General for Development have said that because of the increases, the aim is not to reduce the number of grants and amounts.
