350 actions by the end of 2030, with a total budget in excess of €525 million, is foreseen in the National Strategy for the Development of the Troodos Mountain Communities, adopted and implemented by the Government since the summer of 2019.
The actions were announced by the President of the Republic, on the sidelines of a press conference on the implementation of the National Strategy for Mountain Communities and the revised housing plans and allowances to support the inhabitants of rural, mountainous, marginal and disadvantaged areas. "Two mutually complementary policies that aim to revitalise these areas and make them attractive places for young families, investors and entrepreneurs to live permanently and do business" as President Anastasiades said.
The President was pleased to report that since the adoption of the strategy to date "194 actions, at a total cost of €367 million, have either been completed or are in the process of implementation".
The President of the Republic presented the targets set with a time horizon of the end of 2022 for the implementation of flagship policies and projects of the National Strategy.
With regard to actions of a horizontal and institutional nature, it is expected that by the end of 2022 the following will be completed:
1. The inclusion of the mountain communities of the Paphos and Larnaca Districts and the rest of the Limassol District in the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities. Including Nicosia. As it is known, the National Strategy for the Development of the Mountain Communities of Troodos would be the pilot leg of a broader policy which, with the above decision, now covers all the provinces.
2. The establishment of the mountain principle and the upland policy.
3. The new Troodos Policy Statement, which is the staff spatial planning.
4. The recognition of cottage industry as a branch of secondary production.
5. The identification of specific conditions and standards for the development and operation of multifunctional farms that can be visited.
"One of the actions of the strategy for the development of rural tourism, which will be specifically mentioned by the Minister of State for Tourism, who is not present today due to his absence in Sweden. I would just like to mention that the Cyprus for Tomorrow Programme includes four projects which will contribute significantly to the intended development of mountain communities in terms of agri-tourism. You understand the magnitude and importance of the visitor traffic that the mountain communities will gain through the various policies and actions," the President said.
6. The Environmental Impact Assessment for the Development of the Troodos Mountain Communities.
He said "These actions are considered of strategic importance, as they aim both to define the framework of principles and general objectives of the mountain policy and to enrich the unique tourist product of Troodos, promote alternative forms of agricultural activity and increase the number of visitors".
With regard to projects of a developmental nature, the following are expected to be completed or to start being implemented by the end of 2022. The tender for the construction of a heliport in Linou to meet firefighting, search and rescue needs.
2. Tender notice for the creation of a Regional Folk Market in Karvouna.
3. Start of operation, as of today, of an ambulance station in Kampos.
4. Strengthening of the Ambulance Station in Pedoulas.
5. Acceleration of procedures for the creation of the Troodos Industrial Area in Linou.
6. Establishment of a branch of the Ministry of State for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy in Platres.
7. Preparation of a study for the creation of a third uphill lane between Gerasa Kalo Horio. It is noted that the implementation of related improvement works has already been promoted.
8+9. Call for tenders, through the BOT method, for the upgrading of the National High Sports Centre "Glaucos Clerides" in Agros and the creation of a High Sports Training Centre in Prodromos.
10. Operation of an Agriculture Branch at Solea High School which, due to the interest shown by students, will hopefully start from the next school year.
11. Regarding the Troodos Hospital, it is expected that the projects of the Pulmonology Clinic and upgrading of the first aid facilities will be completed soon. We are nearing the end of the construction work and in consultation with the Minister of Health will be staffed in such a way that Troodos Hospital will truly be a regional hospital for the mountain communities.
12. Call for tender for the establishment of a Fire Station in Pedoulas, after the many adventures we have had in finding a suitable site. It has been found and we are moving forward to implement this objective as well.
13. Call for tender for the construction of a new Lania Police Station.
Housing plans
"Complementary and supportive of our efforts to curb urbanisation and support not only the residents of Troodos, but also the wider countryside, the Mountainous, Arid and Disadvantaged Areas, are the relevant housing plans and the Government's subsidy policy. As you are well aware, in July 2019 we announced a series of housing plans aimed at giving a substantial boost to the development prospects of these areas, while in February 2021 new communities were included in the plans, thereby expanding the potential beneficiaries."
To date, applications for €20 million have been approved for housing acquisition, and with the completion of the assessment of pending applications, the total financial support is expected to exceed €25 million.
At the same time, following consultations, the identification of some drawbacks of the initially announced policy, and suggestions from local authorities, organised groups and citizens, the need to modify the plans in order to make them even more attractive and flexible for further attracting interest for permanent residence or activity, especially in mountainous and disadvantaged areas.
In response, not only to these suggestions, but also to the active interest of the Government, it was decided:
To increase both the financial assistance threshold for those wishing to acquire a permanent residence and the income criteria threshold, further expanding the number of beneficiaries.
Revision of the criteria for inclusion in the projects, resulting in an increase in the number of communities whose residents can benefit, which now stands at 277.
Inclusion in the plans of additional outlying areas, both in municipalities and in Pyla. I am referring to our outlying areas, which are being expanded to allow for further utilization of the policy.
In addition, in order to immediately cover all applications received, the relevant budget, compared to the previous year, has been tripled, and now stands at €15 million.
In addition, it was decided to change the methodology for calculating the altitude and as a result 119 communities with a population of more than 25,000 inhabitants will benefit.
At the same time, it was decided to change the criteria for granting financial aid to remote communities - i.e. depending on the distance from the centre of the metropolitan municipalities - with the consequence that 130 communities with a population of more than 27 inhabitants will benefit.
At the same time, it was decided to change the criteria for granting financial aid to remote communities - i.e. depending on the distance from the centre of the metropolitan municipalities - with the consequence that 130 communities with a population of more than 27 inhabitants will benefit.I will only mention that the amount budgeted to be spent for the three-year period 2022 - 2024 for development projects in rural and mountainous communities exceeds €370 million, which is an increase of €125 million compared to the previous three-year period 2019-2021," President Anastasiades said. "And this is without counting major road network projects that have been long-standing and long-standing demands of the inhabitants of rural and mountainous areas, totalling €350 million. I am referring to projects concerning the Limassol - Saita road, the Pafos - Polis Chrysochous, Nicosia - Paleochori and Astromeritis - Evrychou motorways and the Nicosia peripheral motorway," he said.
In conclusion, he said that the Government will continue to implement "with the same determination the integrated national strategy, which is the first one to be drawn up since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, so that through the plans we can give real support to the mountainous, remote and suffering areas, not only to prevent their depopulation, but also to give further momentum to their economic, social, agricultural, tourist and cultural development prospects".
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