Filenews 15 February 2023
A State Sponsorship Plan for the Social Welfare Services was approved on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, following a proposal presented by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Anastasia Anthousi.
The Plan, according to an announcement by the Deputy Ministry, which is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus_Tomorrow" 2021-2026, with a budget of €18 million, provides for the creation of Multipurpose Centers and Child Care Centers, as well as accommodation structures for children, adolescents with disorders, people with disabilities and people in need of long-term care.
The Scheme is addressed to Local Authorities and Non-Governmental Organizations, which may receive funding to cover expenses related to the construction / purchase of premises, the renovation / upgrade of an existing premises and the purchase of equipment for the operation of the program.
The grant amount amounts to 100% of the investments selected, with a maximum funding amount per project of €500,000.
According to the announcement, in the first phase and with an intermediate time target of the end of 2024, a grant will be given for the creation or expansion of at least 11 Multipurpose Centers (nurseries and Centers for the Protection and Employment of Children aged 0-4 years and 6-13 years old), or Child Care Centers (nurseries for children aged 0-4 years) and two structures for adults with long-term care needs (small structures integrated into the community for hosting up to 10 years old). individuals).
The final time goal is June 2026, when a total of 30 institutions (11+19) will have been subsidized for the development or upgrade of structures for children and a total of six institutions (2+4) for the creation of structures that will offer care services to adults.
In order to make the most of the grants, the mapping of existing structures has been promoted and is being finalised by an external expert. Mapping will identify those areas where there are gaps in the provision of services and contribute to a more accurate and targeted allocation of resources, based on actual needs.
"With targeted actions, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare seeks to strengthen the welfare state and citizens' access to inclusive care services, and to promote the social inclusion and well-being of vulnerable groups of the population, with an emphasis on children, women, people with disabilities and the elderly," it said.
It is added to the Communication that by enhancing the availability of quality care and social development infrastructure for children and adults in need of long-term care, the participation in the labour market of active potential, especially women, is also increasing, contributing to the reconciliation of family and professional life and promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for all.
