The Plan of State Grants for Social Welfare Services was approved today by the Council of Ministers, following a proposal presented by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Ms Anastasia Anthousi. The Plan, which is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus_Tomorrow" 2021-2026, with a budget of €18 million, provides for the creation of Multipurpose Centres and Child Care Centres, as well as shelters for children, adolescents with disorders, people with disabilities and people in need of long-term care.
The Project is addressed to Local Authorities and Non-Governmental Organisations, which may receive funding to cover costs related to the construction/purchase of a building, the renovation/upgrading of an existing building and the purchase of equipment for the operation of the programme. The amount of the grant will be 100% of the investments selected, with a maximum amount of funding per project of €500,000.
In a first phase and with an intermediate target date of the end of 2024, a grant will be awarded for the creation or expansion of at least 11 Multipurpose Centres (nurseries and Child Care and Activity Centres for children aged 0-4 years and 6-13 years), or Child Care Centres (crèches for children aged 0-4 years) and two structures for adults with long-term care needs (small structures integrated into the community for up to 10 persons). The final target date is June 2026, by which time a total of 30 institutions (11+19) will have received grants for the development or upgrading of structures for children and a total of six institutions (2+4) for the creation of structures offering care services to adults.
In order to maximise the use of the grants, the mapping of existing structures has been promoted and is in the process of being completed by an external expert. The mapping will identify those areas where there are gaps in service provision and will contribute to a more appropriate and targeted allocation of resources, based on actual needs.
Through targeted actions, the Ministry of Social Welfare seeks to strengthen the welfare state and citizens' access to inclusive care services, and to promote the social inclusion and well-being of vulnerable groups of the population, with a focus on children, women, people with disabilities and the elderly.
Through targeted actions, the Ministry of Social Welfare seeks to strengthen the welfare state and citizens' access to inclusive care services, and to promote the social inclusion and well-being of vulnerable groups of the population, with a focus on children, women, people with disabilities and the elderly. By increasing the availability of quality care and social development facilities for children and adults in need of long-term care, the labour market participation of the active population, especially women, is also increased, helping to reconcile family and working life and promoting gender equality and equal opportunities for all.
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