EU signs 12 new civil society grants for T/Cypriot community

The European Commission has in the last quarter of 2021 signed 11 new contracts with different Turkish Cypriot civil society organisations for a total of €1.8 million as well as a direct grant of €700,000 for the Human Rights platform association, it said on Monday.

The EU has since 2007 been providing financial assistance to strengthen the role of civil society in the Turkish Cypriot community to promote EU values and a conducive environment for further development of trust and cooperation between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities as well for the integration of the Turkish Cypriot civil society into the wider EU. The assistance is part of the EU’s aid programme to support the reunification of Cyprus.

According to an announcement on Monday, the Commission’s representation in Nicosia said that this 7^th Cypriot Civil Society in Action call for proposals aims at encouraging civil society organisations to pursue meaningful socio-economic change by participating in decision-making and policy implementation, influencing change at local and EU level while fostering collaboration in the dialogue between the Cypriot communities. The projects will be implemented over the next two to three years in the following areas: Access to human rights for vulnerable or minority groups, youth and women empowerment, patients’, employees’ and elderly rights, advocacy on sustainable development goals, waste management as well as environmental literacy and activism.

The European Commission has also signed a direct grant with the Human Rights Platform association that brings together several rights-based Turkish Cypriot CSOs aiming at developing a more just, equitable, democratic and inclusive society.

The project which will be implemented in the next two years will primarily focus on anti-trafficking, refugee rights, LGBTI+ rights, democratic participation in the decision-making process – including freedom of association and freedom of expression, detention conditions and freedom from torture. The platform will develop synergies and cooperation with Greek Cypriot CSOs and EU CSOs or CSO networks and is open to other rights-based associations interested in joining.

Since 2007, the European Commission has launched seven Cypriot civil society in action calls for proposals, for a total amount of €14 million and one thematic call for proposals Together against Trafficking in Human Beings for €1 million. By supporting civil society in the Turkish Cypriot community, the Aid Programme assists in the development of a fairer society based on respect for human dignity, human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.