EU'S AID PROGRAMME FOR THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY

European Commission Announced Commencement of €17.7 million Local Infrastructure Facility implemented by UNDP.

The European Commission announced the commencement of a new infrastructure facility under the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot commmunity with an initial budget of €17.7 million, over a three year period on Thursday, 11 April 2019 from 10:00 am to 12:00 am Bandabulya Stage in Nicosia. Additional funding is to be allocated to the facility on a yearly basis.

After the opening speeches by Mr. Kjartan Bjornsson and Mr. Mahmut Özçınar, the presentations were made by Mr. Alain Joaris, Ms. Tiziana Zennaro and Mr. Christopher Edge. 

The "Local Infrastructure Facility" (LIF) will have a Steering Committee and an Advisory Board, bringing together all relevant stakeholders on a regular basis for the screening, the support of beneficiaries and the recommendation of a selection of projects to be funded.  The EU will provide through the LIF the opportunity to beneficiaries from the Turkish Cypriot local communities to make, through calls, proposals for projects to be funded and implemented through LIF.

The Pedieos/Kanlıdere River Rehabilitation priority project, already under implementation within the facility, was announced and presented in detail at the event.  The scope of the project includes the construction of a linear park along an approximate 5 kilometre length of the river consisting of flood protection measures, cycling and walking paths, recreational areas and environmental educational facilities extending north and south of the green line.  The European Commission recently completed a detailed Feasibility Study for the Rehabilitation of the Pedieos/Kanlıdere River. UNDP plans to tender the associated design and construction contract by mid-2019. 

Also mentioned were the following projects currently under the LIF:

• Water resources master plan
• Extension of the Morphou/Güzelyurt and Famagusta wastewater treatment plants
• Nicosia green waste composting facility
• Mandres/Hamitkoy sewerage network
• Decommissioning of old Nicosia wastewater treatment plant (Phase I)