The European Commission approved a new funding assistance for the Turkish Cypriot community. The €27.2 million programme will focus on promoting the economic integration of the island, with the overall objective to help prepare for its reunification.

The European Commission announced the allocation of €27.2 million programme that will focus on promoting the economic integration Turkish Cypriot community with the overall objective to help prepare for the island reunification. In particular, the funds will support a wide range of sectors, including eradication of animal diseases, protection of the environment, road safety, cultural heritage and civil society. Students, teachers and NGOs will be among the main beneficiaries of the programme. Recently, the European Commission has launched a call for proposals for supporting initiatives for innovation and change in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools in the northern part of Cyprus.

The scholarship programme has given over 500 Turkish Cypriot students and teachers the opportunity to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in other Member States’ universities for up to one year so far. The EU Aid Programme has brought tangible benefits to the Turkish Cypriots, bringing them closer to the EU.

The European Union has invested to date more than €320 million under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Since its launch in 2006, the European Union has allocated more than €320 million to assist the Turkish Cypriot community.