Measures, which significantly enrich and strengthen the wider development and housing policy that is in force, in order to deal even more effectively with the problems faced by the villagers, said in his speech the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis.
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In an introductory speech, President Anastasiadis said that the new plans and measures significantly enrich and strengthen the broader development and housing policy that is in force, to address even more effectively the problems faced by the residents of these areas.
“By tackling the problems globally, we aim to make in the foreseeable future the areas we have hitherto characterized as disadvantaged compared to the urban or coastal areas of the country, into attractive places of permanent residence for new families, investors and entrepreneurs, but also to reverse the wave of asceticism and to ensure the viability of small and medium-sized enterprises, “said the President.
The new projects, he added, create an integrated housing framework, which includes increased financial benefits for accommodation in an additional 130 communities, increasing the total number of beneficiary communities to 258 and enhancing the development of each community's unique business opportunities through new projects. urban incentives.
The President of the Republic referred in detail to plans and measures that have already entered into force or are underway for the development of these areas and the appointment of the Commissioner for Mountain Communities with the aim of drafting, for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. the Troodos Mountain Communities, aiming at the sustainable development of these communities and the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens.
The Strategy numbers more than 250 actions, with a horizon of implementation by the end of 2030 and with a total spending budget of 250 million euros. The Strategy will also include the Mountain Communities of Paphos, Larnaca and Limassol Provinces.
The President also referred to local projects and public works, the access of all citizens to quality health, education and social care services and projects to highlight these areas as centers of cultural and environmental development.
Reference was made to the upgrade of the Regional Hospital of Kyperounta (Troodos) and its transformation into a Regional Center of Troodos, the construction of the Athena Health Center and the Akaki Health Center and the clustering of Health Centers concerning the areas of Kofnos and Pachnos. Lefkara, while the integration of Health Services for the area of Evrychos – Pedoulas follows.
The President also referred in his speech to the operation of rural Citizen Centers (KEPO) in Agros, Kakopetria and Lefkara, while the KEPO is expected to operate. in Xylofagou within 2021, in the formation and regeneration of the central core of communities and in the creation of multipurpose and multifaceted, cultural, educational and creative employment centers and in the expansion of Optional All-Day Schools (POS) and the creation of summer schools.
President Anastasiadis also referred to the subsidy of 46 social care programs, which concern Child Protection and Employment Centers, nurseries, Home for the Elderly, Home Care programs and support for vulnerable groups of the population and upgrading of fire stations.
According to the President, for the three years 2018 – 2020 the amount spent on development projects in rural and mountainous communities exceeds 300 million euros, while a similar amount is expected to be spent in the three years 2021-2023.
With regard to sustainable development, the strengthening of sectors of work and entrepreneurship, but also the creation of new jobs in the field of agriculture, the President referred to the provision of additional points to young farmers for investment in mountainous areas, in the implementation of the Investment Measure for the creation of small processing units in the countryside and the implementation of targeted local development strategies for agritourism activities, under the European Leader program.
The budget allocated in the period 2014-2020 for the implementation of the above policies amounted to 62 million euros, while in the period 2021-2022 it will amount to 21 million euros.
At the same time, as the President said, in the field of tourism, the competent State Department has prepared incentive plans to support economic activity in mountainous, rural and remote areas, such as the granting of local projects with a tourism aspect to Communities, the sponsorship of Events related to Oenogastronomy and Local Products and the plan of Providing Financial Support for the creation and upgrade of infrastructure / facilities of specialized forms of tourism.
Since 2017, the Vacation Scheme for Low Retirees in Hotels of the Mountain Resorts and the Tilliria Tower has been implemented annually and from 2019 the operation of the winemaking-viticulture sector at the Omodos Technical School started, while the creation of the Troos Craft Community in Troos is in progress. the creation of a Scientific Research Center at Pedoulas High School.
The President also referred to road network projects that were constant and long-standing requests of the inhabitants of the countryside and mountainous areas and which will significantly improve the connectivity of large urban centers with the countryside and mountainous communities. These projects, totaling 350 million euros, concern the Limassol – Saita road, the Paphos – Polis Chrysochous, Nicosia – Palaichori and Astromeriti – Evrychos highways and the third phase of the Nicosia perimeter highway.
The President of the Republic said that by the end of April all these projects will have been tendered, clarifying that some are under construction, some others are pending before the Review Authority or are being re-examined.
The President in his speech said that the existing Housing Plan for the Revitalization of Mountainous, Critical and Disadvantaged Areas is being extended to 130 new Communities, now covering a total of 258 Communities, with, in fact, granting increased sponsorships. With the third plan they will be extended to 387.
“Our goal and purpose is to create the necessary conditions for the rural population, the population of mountain communities, the tested areas to stay in their ancestral homes. To finally stop the wave of astyphilia that is observed,” said President Anastasiadis.
