Programme description
The Programme will significantly support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development, and will improve citizens’ overall quality of life through investments from the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund , the Just Transition Fund and the European Social Fund.
The Thalia Programme will support research, innovation and development and SMEs’ growth, based on an improved smart specialisation strategy, building on the current priority areas on energy, tourism, agriculture and food, structured environment-construction, transport-shipping, health, the environment and information and communication technologies. Furthermore, it will put emphasis on actions that will interconnect the national R&I system with the economy, the business world and society as a whole. Cyprus’ low ranking on all indicators of DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) will be addressed through investments in measures related to digitalisation of companies and public services.
The green conversion of Cyprus will be achieved through significant investments in energy efficiency, the reduction of carbon emissions and the penetration of RES, combined with renewed efforts to reach the applicable targets for waste and water management. Furthermore, the programme deals with actions on adaptation to climate change and actions in habitat protection and restoration within the Natura 2000 Networks. Regarding investments in circular economy, a key priority is to promote actions for source sorting, separate collection, reuse and recycling to reduce landfill waste.
The development of sustainable public transport will be pursued through the deployment of an electric bus network and active mobility such as walking and cycling. The Programme marks a shift away from the concentration on road investments in favour of multi-modal and more sustainable modes of transport. Integrated Territorial Investments will further improve the quality of life in urban and non-urban areas in Cyprus, ensuring maximum utilization of the growth potential of cities and non-urban areas, successfully tackling social challenges, stimulating growth, liveability and innovation.
Moreover, the Cypriot Territorial Just Transition Programme constitutes a commitment to accelerate Cyprus’ energy transition process towards the 2030 and 2050 targets. The envisaged actions of the plan will strengthen the energy transmission and distribution system and increase storage capacity that will subsequently facilitate RES penetration. Furthermore, it will support measures for SMEs to apply new technologies and will also empower Human Capital through education and training actions, including through the creation of a new Green Technical School in Nicosia.
Promotion of social cohesion is supported through investments to support the labour market, foster skills and strengthen social cohesion. Programmed actions include outreach, consulting and guidance actions for young people, the modernisation of Public Employment Services, and the promotion of flexible working arrangements. The European Social Fund + will also invest in the development of technical Vocational Education and Training and in new initiatives such as Individual Learning Accounts and the ALMA initiative, in line with the European Skills Agenda and the reinforced Youth Guarantee. Additionally it will provide significant support for the restructuring of social welfare services and actions in line with the European Child Guarantee, such as affordable early childhood education and care and access to free school lunches for deprived pupils. Lastly, Social innovation actions include the provision of Home care services for persons with disabilities.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| CF | 178.321.777,00 | 31.468.550,00 | 209.790.327,00 |
| ERDF | 466.925.267,00 | 311.283.513,00 | 778.208.780,00 |
| ESF+ | 222.205.180,00 | 132.551.993,00 | 354.757.173,00 |
| JTF | 101.113.715,00 | 43.334.451,00 | 144.448.166,00 |
| Total | 968.565.939,00 | 518.638.507,00 | 1.487.204.446,00 |
Priorities and Specific Objectives
Social Europe
Access to employment and activation measures for all
Equal access to quality social and healthcare services
Addressing material deprivation
Modernising labour market institutions
Gender balanced labour market participation
Improving education and training systems
Active inclusion and employability
JTF specific objective
Just Transition Fund
Smarter Europe
Enhancing research and innovation
Reaping the benefits of digitisation
Growth and competitiveness of SMEs
Greener Europe
Energy efficiency
Renewable energy
Climate change adaptation
Sustainable water
Circular economy
Nature protection and biodiversity
Sustainable urban mobility
Connected Europe
Sustainable TEN-T
Europe closer to citizens
Integrated development in urban areas
Integrated development in rural and coastal areas