Insider / ΚΥΠΕ
Twelve new contracts totaling € 2.5 million to support civil society organizations in the Turkish Cypriot community, with the aim of strengthening its role, promoting the values of the European Union and creating a favorable environment for dialogue and cooperation between the two communities. signed in the last quarter of 2021 by the Commission according to a relevant announcement.
In particular, 11 new contracts were signed with various civil society organizations (totaling 1.8 million euros) and a direct grant agreement of 700 thousand euros to support the Human Rights Platform.
As noted, the contracts concern projects to be implemented over the next two to three years in the areas of access of vulnerable or minority groups to human rights, the emancipation of young people and women, the rights of patients, workers and the elderly, the promotion of sustainable development goals, waste management, and environmental education and activism.
The funding is part of the Seventh Call for Proposals entitled “Cypriot Civil Society in Action”, which encourages civil society organizations to advocate for substantive socio-economic change through participation in decision-making and in the implementation of policies, both at local and EU level, while promoting cooperation between the Cypriot communities.
The direct grant agreement concerns the Platform for Human Rights, in which various civil society organizations participate with the aim of defending human rights and developing a fairer, more equal, democratic and inclusive society.
The project, which will be implemented over the next two years, will focus mainly on the fight against trafficking in human beings, the rights of refugees, the rights of individuals LOATKI +, democratic participation in the decision-making process, including freedom of association and freedom of expression, detention conditions and the prohibition of torture.
The platform will develop cooperative relations with Greek Cypriot civil society organizations and organizations at EU level, as well as civil society networks and is open to other associations that defend rights and are interested in participating.
According to the announcement, since 2007 the Commission has carried out seven calls for proposals for civil society in the C / C community totaling 14 million euros, and one thematic call for proposals entitled “Together against trafficking in human beings” amounting to one million euro.
By supporting civil society in the Turkish Cypriot community, the aid program contributes to the development of a fairer society based on respect for human dignity, human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, it added.
