The 'THALIA 2021–2027' Cohesion Policy Programme is in full implementation in Cyprus, with more than 100 projects either under way or completed and around €700 million already utilised, according to the Directorate General for Growth (DGG) of the Ministry of Finance, which reported on the visit of a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) this week.
According to a Press Release issued by the DGG, the delegation of Members of the European Parliament had the opportunity to visit projects co-funded by the European Union under the THALIA Programme.
The purpose of the visit, it was noted, was to exchange experiences and best practices and to strengthen cooperation for the promotion of common policies in the fields of employment and social inclusion.
During their visit, the MEPs were briefed on the implementation progress of two projects with significant social impact.
The first concerns the project 'Organisation and Operation of the Inspection Service' of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, with a total budget of €8.5 million. The project aims to strengthen control mechanisms for enforcing social insurance legislation and combating undeclared work. Actions funded under the project include the development of the new ERGANI II information system, the increase in inspections, electronic record-keeping, and the upgrading of services provided to employees and employers.
The MEPs also visited the 'Aktida' Family Intervention and Support Centre for Autism in Nicosia, a €6-million project operating under the supervision of the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. The Centre provides specialised assessment, therapeutic intervention and counselling services for children with autism and their families, significantly contributing to social inclusion and raising awareness about autism in Cyprus.
On the sidelines of the meetings, a representative of the Directorate General for Growth, which serves as the Managing Authority of the THALIA Programme, briefed Committee members on the overall progress of the Programme.
The THALIA 2021–2027 Programme has a total budget of €1.8 billion, of which €969 million comes from the European Union and €842 million from the national budget.
According to DGG data, the Programme is in full implementation, with more than 100 projects under way or completed and approximately €700 million already absorbed.
The projects financed under THALIA have made a significant contribution to job creation and social cohesion, it is added.
“By October 2025, 6,000 unemployed persons had been placed in new jobs, 1,100 young graduates participated in internship schemes, and 540 young people not in employment, education or training received guidance for labour market integration. At the same time, 35 neighbourhood social workers operate in 19 municipalities and 255 communities, serving almost 2,700 cases,” it is noted.
In addition, 25,000 children up to four years old have benefited from tuition and meal subsidies in kindergartens, while 27,000 pupils receive annual support through school and social inclusion initiatives and 65,000 pupils take part in the nationwide school breakfast programme.
Special attention is also given to persons with disabilities, with 23,000 disability assessments, 12 independent living residences, 8 individual programmes, and 130 individuals receiving home-care services.
The visit of the MEPs highlighted the wide range of social and development interventions financed through the THALIA Programme, confirming the key role of European Cohesion Policy in improving the quality of life of citizens in Cyprus, the announcement concludes.
(Source: CNA)
