The portal of the Directorate General for European Programmes, accessible under www.fundingprogrammesportal.gov.cy, aims to inform all interested parties on available funding opportunities, while aiming to increase absorption of EU funds. Cyprus has secured for the 2014-2020 period European funds worth €1.3 bln in co-financed programmes, with a co-financing rate of 95%. Additionally, the goal for EU competitive programmes is to reach €300 mln for the new period, compared to the €200 mln secured in the previous 2007-2013 period. For all these categories, including national funding schemes, the portal contains currently information on 290 calls for proposals, 236 of which are open to applicants to submit their proposals for funding.

The portal was presented recently during a press conference at the DG for European Programmes, in Nicosia. Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said that the portal will be useful to citizens, enterprises and public and private companies seeking funding, especially during the difficult financial period Cyprus is facing. Undersecretary to the President Constantinos Petrides said from his part that efforts under way focus at increasing the absorption rate of EU funds. On structural funds, Petrides said that Cyprus has one of the highest absorption rates, and noted that efforts must center on competitive programmes, which could yield a funding of up to €400 mln.

Permanent Secretary of the DG for European Programmes Giorgos Georgiou assured that Cyprus will not waste a single cent of the money allocated to the country, in the framework of structural and other funds. He added that in 2007-2013 the country managed to absorb all the funding it was entitled to, adding that the rate reached 70%, while there is a two year extension to finish the absorption until 2015. Director for European Programmes Marina Jensen referred to the various categories of funding for which people can acquire information from the portal and noted that the portal is just the beginning of a series of actions. The portal provides a useful search tool for a wide range of beneficiaries, such as unemployed people, NGOs, SMEs, local authorities, research centers and educational establishments. Its content will be updated on a weekly basis.

Source: Famagusta Gazette