The EU Continues to Support Youth
As part of the EU Youth Strategy and to support youth work activities in the Turkish Cypriot community, the EU Infopoint cooperated with HASDER and MAGEM this summer to support a series of educational, sports and cultural events aimed at increasing youth empowerment. The activities gave an opportunity for young people to play an active part, discuss issues, and take on a leadership role in the organisation of the events.
The youth events as part of 13th Annual Nicosia Youth Day by HASDER took place from 27 July to 2 August. The events included a “Roundtable Discussion” on 27 July at EU Infopoint on the topic of educational reform, a “Cinevision & Discussion” event at HASDER Handicrafts Centre on 28 July, a “Markutti” (Kite Festival) on 30 July near Ataturk Stadium, a “Youth Concert” on 1 August near HASDER Handicrafts Centre, and a “Walled City Bike Tour” on 3 August starting from Selimiye Square. Additionally, the Maki Festival by MAGEM youth organisation will take place from 23 to 25 August. This will be the third Annual Maki Fest, which takes place on the Bafra/Vokolida coast and attracts young people from all around Cyprus.
As part of the Aid Programme to the Turkish Cypriot community (TCc), the EU has supported a number of civil society projects and initiatives, including a focus on youth. In addition to this, support has been provided to harmonise the TCc with the EU when it comes to social inclusion and allowing for young people to register their own NGOs and participate fully in society. The European Union scholarships allow Turkish Cypriot students, researchers and professionals to study in the EU and gain exposure to other European cultures. Under this scheme, between 2007 and 2019, a total of 1370 scholarships have been awarded for a total budget of €20.4 million.
The overall objective of the Human Resources Development programme is to assist the TCc in reforming the education sector with a view to enhance human resources development, to assist the creation of more and better jobs by attracting more people into employment or entrepreneurial activity, improving the adaptability of workers and enterprises and increasing investment in human capital. This objective is reached through technical assistance projects as well as grant projects in the field of education and labour market.
