The programme is based on the instrument of financial support to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. The tender was published on the Official Journal on the third october 2008.

The purposes of this contract are as follows:

Lot 1: Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME): to contribute to the growth of the private sector and to the diversification of the local economy, and to improve the quality of business services available to private sector by means of:

• A more conducive environment for economic development measured by number and quality of business support services, number of privatised public enterprises, etc.
• An expanded private sector measured by increased number of firms, increased employment, increased productivity in supported firms and increased investment in firms.

Lot 2: Information and communication technologies (ICT): to increase take-off of ICT competences by the Turkish Cypriot community across all sectors of society by means of:

• Increased take up of ICT technologies.
• Establishment of a more competitive and innovative ICT sector.
• Increased synergy between SMEs in general and the ICT sector
• Convert the Turkish Cypriots into e-citizens.

Total budget for this programme is 3.65 Meuro, and proposals must be at the EC services before 30/11/2008. More details are available at euroalert.net web site in tender area and at EuropeAid web site.