Two and a half years have passed since the Council of Ministers approved 11 compensatory measures for the residents of Akamas, yet they are still far from being fully implemented. The aim was to strengthen the socio‑economic fabric of the communities and create conditions for sustainable development in the region. Instead, representatives of local authorities told Politis that they are witnessing serious delays and foot‑dragging on the part of the state. The proposed industrial zone in Ineia, the livestock area in Neo Chorio—projects that could create jobs and help young people remain in the area—as well as the planning of roads in land‑locked community zones, have yet to take shape.
The subsidy
The only measure fully implemented so far—though not related to job creation—is the provision of a subsidy to landowners (€90 per decare of agricultural land), recognising the contribution of rural plots to landscape protection and biodiversity preservation. Landowners have received the subsidy for 2024 and 2025. According to the Agriculture Ministry, 1,559 applications were submitted for 2025, with total payments amounting to €1.9 million. The measure will remain in force for five years; however, Ineia’s deputy mayor, Giangos Tsivikos, expressed hope to Politis that it will continue to be renewed thereafter.
Akamas office
Another measure implemented – specifically last August – is the establishment of the Akamas Local Coordination Office, housed within the Environment Department’s Paphos premises. Its main purpose is to ensure the effective implementation of government commitments for the promotion and sustainable development of the Akamas region. Since then, the office’s coordinator, Yiannis Konstantinou, has begun meeting with local authorities and relevant stakeholders to record the region’s needs and priorities. As a result, tangible outcomes from the office’s operation are still pending.
Local representatives said they are satisfied with the level of communication with the coordinator, but stressed that in large part the immediate implementation of government commitments does not depend on him but on the competent government departments. Neo Chorio’s deputy mayor, Giorgos Neophytou, added that the communities’ request for the appointment of a commissioner for the region—similar to the Commissioner for Mountain Communities—was ignored. Meanwhile, Ineia’s deputy mayor Tsivikos argued that the Akamas office should have been based in the region itself.
Climbing and museums
According to the Akamas office coordinator, two other measures now underway include the utilisation of Ineia’s rock formations for climbing activities – under conditions set by the competent services – and the Tourism Deputy Ministry’s coverage of part of the operating costs of the region’s museums.
Regarding climbing, he said the local authority is cooperating with a group of climbers who last year organised a three‑day climbing festival in the community, attracting around 2,000 visitors, including climbers from various countries. Konstantinou added that the community requested and was granted the now‑closed primary school building by the Education Ministry. Plans are underway to convert it into a sports centre that will include climbing facilities.
Industrial zone
At the same time, other key measures have not advanced. Local authorities consider the creation of an industrial zone within Ineia’s administrative boundaries a major outstanding issue, as it would create jobs through the establishment of small industries. Akamas mayor Marinos Lambrou and deputy mayor Tsivikos blamed the Interior Ministry for the delay. They said that despite proposing three suitable locations adjacent to the community, with road, electricity and water access, the Town Planning Department instead pointed to a small Turkish Cypriot plot of 2–3 decares at the village entrance—an option the Akamas municipality has formally objected to. Tsivikos described the area proposed by planners as too small and entirely unsuitable: “How many industrial units can fit into 2–3 decares? And it is unthinkable for a community to have an industrial zone located right at its main entrance.”
Livestock zone
The creation of a livestock area in Neo Chorio has also reached an impasse, even though the two existing units lie illegally within a Natura 2000 zone. Both the Akamas office coordinator and Neo Chorio deputy mayor Neophytou said the plan collapsed after an apparent loss of interest among four livestock farmers in the wider Chrysochous area, according to the Agriculture Department.
Neophytou noted that a year ago, during a meeting with livestock farmers from Neo Chorio, Androlikou and elsewhere in Chrysochous, there had been strong interest. When the measure was announced, the state had promised to establish a new livestock zone one kilometre from the existing one and cover the construction cost of livestock facilities. He stressed that the new livestock area is absolutely essential.
Road network
Another measure concerns the planning and mapping of roads in land‑locked areas of the communities, which, although designated as development zones, lack road access. According to local officials, the Town Planning Department designed certain roads and sent the data to the two municipalities for securing landowners’ consent so the roads can be officially registered. However, Neo Chorio’s deputy mayor complained that rather than presenting a comprehensive road plan for each community, the department limited itself to designing only one road per community. For Neo Chorio, he said: “Instead of promoting a complete programme covering residential, tourist and holiday‑home areas, they recently sent us just one proposal—for a road in a holiday‑home zone east of Neo Chorio, which is quite far away. For the tourist and holiday‑home areas near the coast, there is, unfortunately, no progress.”
Other outstanding measures
Local authorities say four additional measures remain unimplemented:
- A study to record, document and showcase Akamas’ traditional stone shelters (“stegadia”).
- Utilisation by Ineia of sea salt from Lara beach, under conditions set by the authorities.
- Funding for certain community‑benefit projects based on local needs.
- Utilisation by Ineia of the Akamas National Forest Park visitor service hub at the southern Lara Bay—currently frozen due to road‑network works being halted after the Forestry Department was found non‑compliant with environmental parameters.
Akamas mayor Lambrou said that delays in all measures mean that neither the compensatory state projects nor the 40 community projects undertaken by the municipality—some of which, like the Pano Arodes Observatory, create jobs—will benefit the communities to their full potential unless the Akamas National Forest Park becomes operational. The park’s road network and visitor flows are directly tied, he stressed, to the economic revitalisation of the area.
Jobs to keep young people in their communities
“Even with these 11 compensatory measures, it is still very difficult to keep young couples and young workers in the communities. We have carried out many projects locally, but what we lack is jobs,” Ineia deputy mayor Tsivikos said, emphasising that an industrial zone could provide some relief.
It is worth noting that during a Parliamentary Environment Committee session last December—and following MPs’ calls for local residents to be prioritised for jobs created in the Akamas National Forest Park—the Agriculture Minister said both the ministry and the Akamas office take the matter seriously. She cited, for example, the minibus drivers and the 16 park rangers, for whom applications are being accepted by the Forestry Department until 27 February.
Candidates will be evaluated based on criteria including the ability to respond quickly to the workplace in relation to their permanent residence (15 points), physical fitness test (40 points), education level (15 points), and interview performance related to their duties (30 points). Tsivikos expressed hope that people from the Akamas region will be selected, “within the framework of legality and without violating anyone else’s right to apply for the position.”