First Community Development Grant Scheme  – Community Development Through Village Initiatives: Improving Quality of Life in Rural Communities

The overall objective of First Community Development grant scheme (€5.0m) was to improve the socio-economic conditions in the rural areas. The specific objectives were to improve the living conditions, the quality of life, and conditions for growth in the rural areas. Three priorities were identified in the Call for Proposals: (i) supporting cooperation between local communities for village development, (ii) supporting village development at local community level, (iii) and supporting village level initiatives.

The twenty projects signed in December 2009 included support to NGOs and local communities in rural areas for a mix of activities including equipment and training activities. The support included creation and equipping of community centres, protection of historical heritage, installation of a small waste water treatment plant and recycling facility linked to a hospital, equipping of six new milk collection centres and provision of equipment for the disabled.

Second Community Development Grant Scheme  – Community Development Through Village Initiatives: Improving Quality of Life in Rural Communities

The overall objective of Second Community Development grant scheme (€5.5m) was to improve the socio-economic conditions in the rural areas. The specific objectives were to improve the living conditions, the quality of life, and conditions for growth in the rural areas. Three priorities were identified in the Call for Proposals: (i) supporting cooperation between local communities for village development, (ii) supporting village development at local community level, (iii) and supporting village level initiatives.

The eight projects signed in December 2009 included further support to NGOs and local communities in the rural areas of northern part of Cyprus for a mix of activities including the provision of equipment and training activities. The support included creation and equipping of community centres, establishing day care centres for the young and elderly and associated training for staff, training of villagers in handicrafts and improving language and computer skills, protection of historical heritage, and improvement of fishermen’s shelters.

Third Community Development Grant Scheme– Community Development Through Village Initiatives: Improving Quality of Life in Rural Communities

The overall objective of the EU-financed third Community Development grant scheme (€3 million) was to improve the living conditions of the people living in rural areas in the northern part of Cyprus. Three priorities were identified in the Call for Proposals: (a) enhancing the natural heritage and intangible cultural heritage assets; (b) improving basic community services; (c) reinforcing the social cohesion and local governance.

Local communities and civil society organisations were invited to apply in partnership and with other local actors.

Fourth Community Development Grant Scheme– Community Development Through Village Initiatives: Improving Quality of Life in Rural Communities

The overall objective of the EU-financed fourth Community Development grant scheme (€4,85 million) is to improve the living standards of the citizens living in the northern part of Cyprus. The specific of this call for proposal is to increase the efficiency and the quality of services delivered to citizens by local communities in the northern part of Cyprus and to introduce a "shared services" approach in rural local communities.

With five grant contracts signed in December 2017, some of the projects are ongoing to date.