Aiming to halt the decline, demolition and abandonment experienced by the old town of Nicosia, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris presented on Tuesday afternoon the Entrepreneurship Enhancement Plan for the revitalization of Nicosia within the walls
As Mr. This is the second in a row that the Ministry is announcing within almost a month and a half, following the announcement of the "Action Plan for the regeneration and revitalisation of the walled city of Nicosia".
"The Action Plan is the culmination of many years of efforts. The objective is clear: to halt the decline, depopulation and abandonment experienced by the Old Town and to bring it back to a rhythm of growth and intense commercial activity. It is acknowledged that the walled city slipped into a continuous course of degradation and decline, before starting in recent years to revitalise and recover through targeted actions," the Minister said.
He added that the "Action Plan for the revitalisation of the walled city" is not fragmentary, but is the continuation and completion of drastic interventions and actions that have already been implemented with state resources within the framework of the four-year programme for the revitalisation and revitalisation of areas of the Nicosia Green Line 2017 - 2021, as well as the continuation of co-funded projects with the support of European funds.
He also congratulated the Municipality of Nicosia, which in recent years has used all these tools, means and resources to improve the historic centre of the capital, as well as the relevant state services that have contributed and continue to contribute to this effort.
Mr. Nouris said that the Entrepreneurship Support Plan announced today is a flexible and generous plan, addressed to both individuals and legal entities with economic activity, owners and tenants of buildings. The total amount available until 2026 is €10 million and the funding is for 60% of the eligible costs of each proposal, with a maximum financial assistance of €80,000 per project.
At the same time, he noted that the first indications from the announcement of the Grant Scheme for Student Residences are extremely encouraging, since the owners of around 50 buildings have already expressed their interest, many of whom have submitted drafts for inclusion in the process.
"In this process, which aims to regenerate and develop the historic centre of our capital, we are all together. Each of us, from our own perspective, either through plans and policies, or through projects, actions and investments, will give Nicosia within its walls the opportunity it deserves, in order to give it what we owe it: its lost glory," the Minister concluded.
For his part, the Mayor of Nicosia, Constantinos Yiorkatzis, said that the Entrepreneurship Enhancement Grant Scheme, together with the incentives for attracting students and many projects implemented by the Municipality in recent years have a common goal.
This goal, he said, which has been set together with the relevant Ministries, is "to attract young people to come, live, work or do business in the historic centre of Nicosia".
He also noted that never before has so much been done in the walled city, adding that it is encouraging that where coordinated and integrated interventions have been made, the results have been positive.
"In the Nicosia Municipality, if there is one thing we feel proud of, it is the development that we have managed to bring to the historic centre of Nicosia, even in the midst of difficult circumstances for our country," he said.
He added that they see this in the interest of business for investment and the love of the people who consciously choose the historic centre for strolling and entertainment.
According to the presentation of the officials, the first call for proposals for funding is June 1, 2022 with a duration of four months.
The budget of the programme amounts to €2 million each year, reaching a total of €10,000,000.
60% of the eligible costs of each proposal will be granted, with a maximum financial assistance of €80,000 per project.
Beneficiaries are natural or legal persons, owners or tenants of buildings, (with the signed consent of the owners), who carry out or will carry out a desirable economic activity for business support purposes, in the areas where the Scheme applies
The Scheme will be implemented and will remain open until 31 December 2026.
Potential Beneficiaries will be able to submit applications/proposals within specific time periods, which will be specified in the relevant call for proposals.
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