The government will announce a new housing scheme for mountain communities in the coming days, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Saturday.
Speaking at an awards ceremony for high-achieving graduates from mountain communities at the presidential residence in Troodos, Christodoulides said the scheme would be specifically adapted to residents’ needs.
He said the initiative had been prepared by the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities and the Interior Minister following consultations with local residents.
“It is important that the schemes we announce respond to your needs and expectations,” he said.
Two additional housing schemes
Christodoulides also referred to two housing schemes approved by the Council of Ministers on Thursday.
The first provides for 570 state-owned residential plots to be made available at a 75% discount on their value.
The second offers incentives to families wishing to use an existing home or plot to meet the housing needs of relatives, even where the permitted building coefficient has already been exceeded.
In addition to the third scheme for mountain communities, the president said further measures aimed at strengthening the welfare state would be announced soon.
He added that the private sector also wanted to contribute to the broader effort.
Christodoulides described housing as a major challenge not only for Cyprus, but also for Greece and Europe as a whole.
“We know very well that this is one of the most important issues concerning young people and young families,” he said.
Since his administration took office, more than 10 housing schemes have been launched, over €300 million has been invested, and more than 5,500 new housing units are being developed and will be added to the market, he said.
“All this is possible thanks to the state’s financial capacity and our responsible economic policy, which allows us to return the benefits of growth to society.”
Call to double the mountain population
The president congratulated the students who received awards, telling them that their success was the result of their own effort, consistency and perseverance.
He said that, as part of efforts to expand educational opportunities, the government had decided that the vast majority of schools in mountain areas would operate as all-day schools to support children, parents and communities.
A political decision had also been made to keep primary schools in remote communities open despite very small student numbers.
He cited Kampos Primary School, which continued operating even with only one pupil, saying the decision sent a clear message about the need to support mountain areas. Similar decisions had been made for other communities, he added.
Small subject groups have also been allowed to operate in upper secondary schools, in some cases with only two students, ensuring that children from mountain communities have access to the same choices and educational opportunities.
“Our investment in mountain areas is not an accounting exercise. We regard it as an investment in the future of our country, and this opportunity must be provided equally to every young man and woman,” Christodoulides said.
Addressing the students, he urged them to take pride in their achievements and described their awards as the beginning, rather than the end, of their efforts.
He expressed confidence that many would return to their communities with greater knowledge, experience and new ideas.
“Our responsibility is to create all the necessary infrastructure so that you can return and want to remain in your communities,” he said.
Christodoulides also called for a target to be set to increase the population of mountain communities and the Tylliria region over the next decade.
“It does not reflect well on us that 160 communities have a population of 32,000,” he said, adding that the figure should rise to 64,000.
Private-sector contribution
The awards ceremony was held as part of HELLENiQ ENERGY’s “Empowering Youth” programme.
Since 2009, the company has honoured more than 5,700 high-achieving graduates in Greece. This year, the programme was extended to Cyprus, beginning with graduates from the island’s mountain communities.
Christodoulides highlighted the practical support provided by HELLENiQ ENERGY and EKO, saying the initiatives demonstrated their corporate social responsibility and contribution to society.
He said their actions were making a meaningful contribution to improving residents’ daily lives.
A new three-year programme, costing more than €3 million, will address specific needs identified under the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities and communities in the Tylliria region.
The initiatives include financial assistance for more than 200 young families in mountain communities and Tylliria, as well as free breakfasts for 660 children attending public nursery schools in mountain areas.
Christodoulides described the measures as substantial interventions with a positive impact.
The new programmes are in addition to the company’s existing initiatives, including “Warm Embrace”, through which EKO has covered the heating needs of 17 institutions in mountain communities for the fourth consecutive year.
The president thanked HELLENiQ ENERGY chief executive Andreas Shiamishis and EKO Cyprus chief executive Giorgos Grigoras for their support and the new initiatives announced at the event.
He said EKO’s announcements demonstrated the importance of supporting policies and initiatives designed to improve residents’ wellbeing and everyday lives.
The private sector’s contribution complements state action and helps meet the daily needs of thousands of people across hundreds of communities in the government-controlled areas, he added.
Christodoulides also referred to the “Breakfast for All” initiative, which was launched as a pilot programme with support from Allwyn to provide free, healthy breakfasts to children attending public nursery schools.
The programme initially covered 3,600 children in nursery schools in Larnaca and the government-controlled Famagusta district and will gradually be expanded across Cyprus.
“I am pleased that EKO is also supporting this effort and has decided to provide breakfast to 660 children attending public nursery schools in mountain areas,” he said.
