With the launch of the national Cohesion Policy Programme ‘Thalia’ 2021-2027 on 8 July 2022 Cyprus became the first Member State that adopted and starts implementing all cohesion funds, including the Just Transition Fund for the new programming period.
The announcement was made by the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades and the Cypriot Minister of Finance Constantinos Petrides, at the ceremony for signing the Partnership Agreement setting the strategic investment priorities for the new programming period.
In Greek mythology, Thalia is the goddess of poetry. Her name means ‘bloom and prosper’, lending this ambition to the new national programme. The Thalia programme is supported from the European Regional Development Fund (‘ERDF’), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and the European Social Fund+ (‘ESF+’) under the Investment for jobs and growth goal in Cyprus. With a budget of €1.8bn, including a national contribution of €840m,, Thalia will finance projects that aim to significantly support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, improving the lives of individuals and families across the country. Thalia programme is expected to boost GDP by 6 per cent and add 8,500 new jobs.
The programme will invest in companies and public services that work in digitalisation, with funds supporting research, innovation and development and the growth of small and medium enterprises. Based on a new and improved smart specialisation strategy, focus will be given to energy, tourism, agriculture and food, as well a number of other technologies related to health, environment, information and communication. Thalia will also focus on green conversion, investing in energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions for accelerating Cyprus’ ambitious energy transition process. To empower people for the green transition, the programme will invest in dedicated education and training actions and the creation of a Green Technical School in Nicosia.
Thalia for social cohesion
The ESF+ investments under the programme will support the labour market, foster skills and strengthen social cohesion. Programmed actions include outreach, consulting and guidance actions for young people, the modernisation of Public Employment Services, and the promotion of flexible working arrangements.
In line with the European Skills Agenda and the reinforced Youth Guarantee, the ESF+ will invest in new initiatives such as Individual Learning Accounts and the ALMA initiative as well as developing technical Vocational Education and Training with the introduction of new curricula. With a focus on implementing the European Child Guarantee, Thalia will provide significant support for the restructuring of social welfare services. These actions will include advancing affordable early childhood education and care and access to free school lunches for deprived pupils. Building up on previous success, the programme will finance the creation of five additional homes providing support services for people with disabilities and reinforce services for all people receiving home care across the country.
Altogether, the ESF+ will provide Cyprus with decisive means to ensure a job-rich and fair recovery and ensure just digital and green transitions, leaving no one behind.
