LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
LOCAL ACTION PLAN TO TACKLE YOUTH
UNEMPLOYMENT
Funding programme : URBACT II
Project: A European Network of Local Partnerships for the
advancement οf Youth Employment and Opportunity
(Jobtown)
Summary in English
April 2015
This Local Action Plan (LAP) has been prepared as part of the project "European Network of Local
Partnerships for the Development of Employment Opportunities for Young People» (Jobtown: A
European Network of Local Partnerships for the advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunity),
in which Latsia Municipality participates as a partner. The project is implemented under the funding of
the European Programme for urban development URBACT II.
The members of the Latsia Local Support Group (LSG) worked for the development of the Local Action
Plan under the coordination of Nicosia Development Agency (ANEL).
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
3
LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
4
THE PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN CYPRUS
6
EUROPEAN PROJECT “JOTOWN”
8
LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP OF LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
9
INTERESTING EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICES THAT WERE EXPLOITED THROUGH THE
PARTICIPATION OF THE LATSIA MUNICIPALITY IN THE PROJECT
10
PLANNING ACTIONS ON LOCAL LEVEL - LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
12
PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATING THE ACTIONS
14
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIONS
15
RISK ANALYSIS
17
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INTRODUCTION
Unemployment in Cyprus (27.3% in 2013) is a phenomenon that is sweeping the broad masses of mainly
lower social layers. The prevalence of this economic crisis, which began a few years ago as a financial
crisis worldwide has caused a rapid deterioration of this phenomenon. However, the social group that
undoubtedly has received the biggest blow of unemployment is young people.
According to the working document of the European Commission Services' “Report on Cyprus [COM
(2015) 85 final]”1, in 2014, the employment rate of people aged 20-64 was 67.3%, a decrease by 8
percentage points compared to the employment rate in 2009. Long-term unemployment rose to 16.1%
in 2014 (from 11.9% in 2012 and 15.9% in 2013). The number of people at risk of poverty or social
exclusion has increased in recent years, reaching 27.8% of the total population in 2013, above the EU
average (24.5%). Youth unemployment (people under 25) reached 35.5% in 2014, an increase of 8
percentage points compared to 2012.
In the context of the information presented above, the Latsia Municipality took the initiative and with
the support of Nicosia Development Agency2, participated in the project "Jobtown - A European
Network of Local Partnerships for the advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunity (Jobtown)"3,
funded through the European Program URBACT II. The aim of the project "Jobtown" is to combat youth
unemployment at a structural level.
This Local Action Plan, aims to record the experiences Latsia Municipality gained from the
implementation of the project and to prescribe the actions needed to be done to address, in the context
of municipal capacities, the problem of unemployment of young people.
1
http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/pdf/csr2015/cr2015_cyprus_el.pdf
http://www.anel.com.cy/default.asp?parid=12&ID=131&menuid=133
3
http://urbact.eu/jobtown
2
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MUNICIPALITY OF LATSIA
The Municipality of Latsia4 is situated around 7 kilometers south of Nicosia and it covers an area of 16,28
square kilometers. According to the most recent census, the number of Latsia Municipality’s citizens is
16.774. Through the municipality the Winter Rivers Drakontias and Kaloyeros flow, both branches of the
river Vathys, which in turn is a confluent of the Pedieos river, one of the largest rivers in Cyprus. The
advantageous geographic position of the Municipality, in short distance of the large urban center of
Nicosia, and the excellent transportation network, has to a large extent contributed positively to the
notable housing and industrial development.
he Olympic Shooting-Range installations are within the municipal boundaries of Latsia Municipality to
the South-West of the Municipality, as well as the Bank of Cyprus’ Sports Center Next to Latsia, but
within Strovolos Municipality administrative area, is located the new GSP stadium, Christos-Stelios
Ioannou Foundation, the Cyprus Stock Exchange, as well as the under construction new Nicosia General
Hospital and the Athalassa Mental Institution. There is also a big industrial area where around 200
industries operate.
Since 1996, Latsia Municipality operates a municipal lending library with a wealth of books, dictionaries,
encyclopedias and other reference books (over 8.000 titles), as well a number of educational video
tapes, a VCR and a television, a copy machine, an IBM personal computer and multimedia CD-ROMs. The
books are classified according to the Melvil Dewey classification system, i.e. are organized into ten (10)
major categories.
Latsia is a typical example of a new Municipality in Cyprus, exhibiting rapid evolution in every aspect.
The first municipal elections took place in 1986, after a positive referendum held on 23 February 1986.
The first mayor was Andreas Koukoumas (1986-1991). The second and third elections (1991 and 1996,
respectively) declared Christakis Christophides as mayor, while the fourth elections (held on 16
December 2001) declared Costas Efstathiou as mayor. The fifth and sixth elections declared Mr.
Panayiotis A. Kyprianou as the current mayor.
The municipal council consists of 13 members (according to the population figures, as described in the
Municipal Law 111/1985), the Mayor and 12 municipal councillors, one of whom is voted alderman. The
present deputy mayor (alderman) is Christos Pittaras, while the former deputy mayor was Panayiotis
Kyprianou. All members of the council are elected directly by the people of Latsia for a period of five (5)
years.
For administrative purposes, Latsia is divided into three quarters: Ayios Yeoryios (covering most of the
area of Latsia), Ayios Eleftherios (covering the Ayios Eleftherios refugee housing estate) and Archangelos
Michael (covering the homonymous refugee self-housing estate).
For administration purposes, there are nine municipal departments:
­ Secretariat (the Municipal Secretary, being head of all services).
­ Technical Service.
­ Municipal Treasury.
­ Public Health and Cleanliness Department.
4
http://www.latsia.org.cy/
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­ Water Supply Department (as of 01 October 2001, the Department's purview has been transferred to
the Nicosia Water Board).
­ Taxation Department.
­ Parks and Gardens Department.
­ Cultural Department.
­ Municipal Library.
Since December 2011, the Municipality of Latsia constitutes a founding member of the Nicosia
Development Agency (ANEL)5, to which it also possesses the Presidency. Nicosia Development Agency
was established by the Municipalities of Greater Nicosia aiming at claiming available funds from
European or other sources for the benefit of its members. It is an organization with a non-profit
character (in case of profitability, profits are redistributed for the original purposes of the agency’s
establishment), working towards the benefit of the wider interest and meets all the conditions of
Directive 2004/18/EC, Article 1.9 concerning the designation of public equivalent bodies. The Agency is
governed by the Board of Directors the members of which are being elected by the General Assembly
where all shareholders take part. The Board of Directors is responsible for the decision making regarding
the policies of the organization the strategic planning and the direction of the activities. The executive
and technical application of the Board’s directives is implemented by the agency’s staff.
The Agency was established aiming at the following:
­ Prompt and updated provision of information about the European Union developments.
­ Technocratic and advisory support to local authorities for their developmental role and planning
­ Developmental Planning of the broader regional area of Nicosia
­ Maximum exploitation of the available national and EU funds through participation and management
of projects related to the needs of its members
­ Technical assistance to the residents and organizations of the region in the field of education and
training, improving quality of life and general socioeconomic development
­ Undertaking initiatives on environmental protection, conservation of cultural heritage and
development of the social cohesion
­ Promote the widest possible cooperation of Local Authorities with public bodies, semi-public and
private sector, seeking synergy and
­ Development of an international and interregional network of cooperation with organizations from
other Member States
­ Exchange of experience and best practices with local authorities of other Member States aiming at
implementation of innovative actions or policies on regional and local level.
5
http://www.anel.com.cy
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THE PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN CYPRUS
Unemployment situation of an individual is defined, while is capable and available to work, not able to
find work. The International and Local "financial crises" contribute actively to higher unemployment.
The effects that a new citizen as unemployed has to deal are the dispossession, the economic hardship,
and several other welfare problems. Also, uncertainty, pessimism, anxiety and willingness restriction is
generated. At the same time, many young people prefer other countries for a job search, and in this way
they become economic migrants.
Until recently Cyprus was a country receiving tens of thousands of economic migrants, Europeans and
foreigners from third countries. The prolonged economic crisis overturns this scene and now Cyprus is
the same exporting country immigrants, generally young people with academic qualifications. Young
people leave for other countries around the world, hoping to vocational rehabilitation. The main
countries job search destinations are England, the Arab countries, up to the distant Australia and
Canada.
2012 was the year that was marked by the migration "explosion" of residents, which continued in 2013.
Specifically, in 2012, 18.100 residents of Cyprus (mostly young) left for abroad for a period longer than
one year. The migratory wave rose in 2013, when 25,200 people prepared their luggage across borders.
When one considers that in 2011 only 4,900 people left outside Cyprus and in 2010 only 4,300
(Statistical Office), the voltage formed is perceived. And obviously, the data for 2014 indicate a further
increase in the number of residents of Cyprus who leave across borders, including the borders within
employment prospects that remain tightly close.
According to the working document of the European Commission Services', “European Commission
Report on Cyprus”, the youth unemployment (people under 25) reached 35.5% in 2014, shows an
increase of 8 percentage points compared with 2012.
In April 2015, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, announced the opening of nine
programs for subsidizing employment, work experience and training for the unemployed. More
specifically, it is about:
1) Project incentives for the employment of unemployed
2) Project for the placement of unemployed graduates for work experience
3) A project for the placement of unemployed young graduates gymnasiums, lyceums, technical schools,
and higher education up to two years of study to obtain work experience.
4) Project for the training of unemployed
5) Employment subsidy plan with flexible settings
6) Action Plan for Youth Employment to implement the Recommendation on Youth.
7) Three incentive schemes for the employment of people with disabilities and people from vulnerable
and vulnerable groups.
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In 2014, four such programs have been implemented, in which 6,200 people have been employed.
Furthermore, by applying work experience program involving unemployed young graduates and
unemployed graduates of high schools the 50% remained in the labor market.
Apart from these, the Republic of Cyprus was considered eligible region for funding under the Initiative
for Youth Employment (Youth Employment Initiative) of the EU. A key criterion for eligibility for this
initiative was established as the youth unemployment rate to exceed 25% by reference year 2012. In
this context, a special allocation of funds amounting to € 11.572.101 secured additional funds allocated
for Cohesion Policy for the programming period 2014-2020. These resources have been frontloaded
breakdown for the years 2014 and 2015 and are governed by the n + 3¨ rule, which means that their
implementation can take place up to three years from the year of their commitment, which is until 2017
and 2018 respectively.
The Initiative for Youth Employment is part of the programming for the use of resources from the
European Social Fund by paying at least the matching funds from the European Social Fund for this
initiative. Under the Operational Program for Employment, Human Resources and Social Cohesion
include separate objectives specific to the Axis Priority Initiative for Youth Employment.
For the implementation of the Initiative for Youth Employment a National Action Plan has been
prepared for Youth Employment which includes, inter alia, the Revised Action Plan for the
Implementation of the Recommendation "Youth Guarantee" under which each new age 15-24 should be
offered an opportunity in employment, education or training within four months from the day remains
unemployed or completing / interrupting his education.
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THE EUROPEAN PROJECT “JOTOWN”
The Municipality of Latsia, supported by the Nicosia Development Agency (ANEL), participates in the
partnership that implements the project “JOBTOWN: A European Network of Local Partnerships for the
Advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunity”. The project is being implemented in the funding
framework of the European program URBACT II, a program that boosts the designing of activities
towards the development of the European urban areas.
JOBTOWN is a European Network of Local Partnerships for the Advancement of Youth Employment and
Opportunity, drawn from 11 localities across Europe. The problem of youth unemployment concerns
society as a whole; it has social, economic and political repercussions and needs to be treated as a
structural problem. Our network is about finding what local administrations can most usefully do in
support of youth employment and opportunity, and helping them to do it. JobTown brings together
public administrations and local economic and social partners, to create employment and opportunity
for young people.
Within the general theme of youth employment and opportunity, JobTown focuses on:
1) Developing effective models of cooperation
2) Making education and vocational education and training responsive to the needs of the local labor
market
3) Matching employment and demand by improving analysis and forecast of labor market evolution and
needs
4) Entrepreneurship - Support for business creation and development, self-employment
5) Social economy and resource management: Innovation and how to do more for less?
The main project’s activities are implemented on two levels: the Transnational and the Local level. On
transnational level the following activities are applied:
a) Project’s Management
b) Project’s Dissemination
c) Exchange of experience and good practices. (5 transnational workshops/seminars, discussions on
European level about the developments regarding the project’s subject and decision making for the
next steps)
On local level, each JobTown locality has established a Local Support Group, as a basis for developing
sustainable Local Partnerships for the advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunities. Each Local
Support Group is designing a Local Action Plan outlining their strategy for addressing the different subthemes of the project in their local areas. This plan will be co-produced among the members of the LSG
as well as the relevant Managing Authorities of the European Structural Funds, which play a key role in
supporting the implementation of such plans.
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LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP OF LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
(ULSG: Urbact Local Support Group of Latsia Municipality.)
The Local Support Group of Latsia Municipality consists of representatives from the following
organizations:
1) Latsia Municipality
2) Nicosia Development Agency (ΑNEL)
3) Municipal Youth Council of Latsia Municipality
4) Open School of Latsia Municipality
5) Cyprus Youth Council
6) University of Cyprus
7) Open University of Cyrpus
8) Cyprus Pedagogical Institute
9) Rotary Club "Salamis"
10) LatsiaTV
11) Cyprus Association of Small Enterprises (PASYME)
12) Centre for Counseling and Career Development (KESEA)
The Local Support Group of Latsia Municipality meets regularly to discuss about the developments in
relation to the theme of work, evaluate the knowledge gained from the participation of representatives
of the Municipality of Latsia in transnational conferences / workshops, analyzes good practices and
policies in other Member States of the European Union at local level, plans actions at local level to tackle
youth unemployment. The Final deliverable of the Local Support Group of Latsia Municipality is the
currently Local Action Plan for tackling youth unemployment.
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INTERESTING EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICES THAT WERE EXPLOITED THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION
OF THE LATSIA MUNICIPALITY IN THE PROJECT
Avilés Advances: An approach to pacting strategic direction among key local stakeholders – Spain6.
Background and basic idea
Avilés, in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, has a long background in consultation with key local
actors in developing policy direction and in brokering complex local issues among divergent actors. This
tendency coalesced in ‘Avilés Avanza’ (’Avilés advances’ or ‘goes forward’) – often just referred to as
‘the Pact’ – a set of policies, agreed among the municipal government, the regional Employers
Association, and the two major unions active in the area. The published three-way agreement lays out
the guiding strategic framework for the legislative period it covers, and these Pacts have had several
successive iterations.
Current practice and state of play
The version of the Avilés Avanza Pact in vigor as of June 2013 (when the information used in this
document was gathered), was structured along five lines of work:
1. Coaching in vocational and occupational training
2. Coaching to gain work experience
3. Coaching in transitioning to professional life via a protected/sheltered workshop
4. Coaching in transitioning to professional life in the regular labour market
5. Coaching and counselling in self-employment and business projects
These policies are especially concerned with people at risk of social exclusion, and groups showing high
unemployment rates (such as young people). All the measures being brought in are focused on the
design and implementation of individual itineraries for social and labor insertion
Using Memorandums of Understanding when establishing partnerships – Thurrock Council, UK7
In establishing its local JobTown partnership, Thurrock (UK) distributed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to all participants to read and sign. The MoU establishes: the roles of participants,
the activities to be undertaken, who will be on it and who does what, operating arrangements, code of
conduct, and the commitment all participants make. Thurrock also uses the MoU as a tool for
maintaining involvement through a written commitment to participating.
It has proven an effective way to kick off a partnership process based on a set of clear arrangements and
expectations.
The complete document may be useful for readers to:
a) Review so as to identify what elements of it they might consider adopting in some way.
b) Use as a stimulus to their own thinking on how a partnership’s practice should work in their contexts.
6
For more information see: ”JobTown Learning Module Nº 1: On Developing Effective Local Partnerships for the
Advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunity”, December 2013 (p. 23-25)
7
For more information see: ”JobTown Learning Module Nº 1: On Developing Effective Local Partnerships for the
Advancement of Youth Employment and Opportunity”, December 2013 (p. 27-33)
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An example of civil society centric mentoring - Kaiserslautern, Germany (whose university is a
member of the JobTown network)8
The programme – ‘Mentoring Young People for Entry into Professional Life’ – has been functioning there
since 2003, and is interesting as a mix of civil society and public sector drivers. It is jointly run by a
partnership made up of the city’s Economic Development Agency, volunteer groups and church groups.
The mentors themselves – there are usually around 15 or so of them active at any given time – are a
varied group; they range from young professionals to people past retirement age, some have quite
academic qualifications and some come from the trades.
Youth Employment Agency – ‘all under one roof’ - Kaiserslautern, Germany9
Kaiserslautern’s ‘Youth Employment Agency’ offers a straightforward example of such a local approach
to integrating different services aimed at the same young people. Following an ‘All Under One Roof’
policy, the Job Centre, the Employment Agency and the Youth Welfare Office were all brought together
into a single facility.
Doing this has indeed afforded the practitioners involved a more holistic and complete – and thus more
effective – understanding of the young people they are working with, and allowed for a more efficient
use of resources.
Rennes’ CODESPAR (France): development & forecasting, via diversity & involvement10
CODESPAR11 was created some 30 years ago by local elected officials wanting to establish a stable
structure for dialogue among social & economic actors, associations & local government. Cross-sector
exchange & cooperation was to support & build a developmental project for the territory. In 1984
CODESPAR was accorded the role of Labor Market Committee, with a mission to facilitate social dialogue
in the territory on employment, training & economic development.
The Conseil de Dévelopment Économique et Sociale du Pays et de l’Agglomération de Rennes
(CODESPAR) is dedicated to economic, social & environmental development of Rennes & its surrounding
area. It carries out labor market analysis & forecasting & implements projects responding to said
analysis & forecasting
8
For more information see: ”JobTown Learning Module Nº 2: On Making Education and Training More Responsive
to the needs of the local Labour Market”, May 2014 (p. 23-24)
9
For more information see: ”JobTown Learning Module Nº 2: On Making Education and Training More Responsive
to the needs of the local Labour Market”, May 2014 (p. 24-25)
10
For more information see: ”JobTown Learning Module Nº 3: Analysis & Forecasting of Skills Demand & Supply
on Real Local Labor Markets - Approaches & Rationale, Effective & Affordable Tools”, May 2014 (p. 16-18)
11
www.codespar.org
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PLANNING ACTIONS ON LOCAL LEVEL - LATSIA MUNICIPALITY
Latsia Municipality, through its participation in transnational activities of the project «Jobtown», had the
opportunity to learn about good practices that applied at local level to other regions across Europe.
Then that knowledge was transferred at local level that presented at the meetings of the Local Support
Group (LSG) and had benefited analysis and evaluation. For cases that the LSG considered that these
good practices will be interested at local level, were elaborated and adjust to Cyprus’ data and Latsia
Municipality in order to act for implementation by the Municipality of Latsia. Among the practices that
were analyzed, LSG decided to adopt some good practices that will be promoted to the following
actions:
- Objective 1: Creation of the Local Employment Office
A very good practice is taken seriously in consideration, for the adaptation at local level and for the
implementation creating something similar to the Labor Centre (Job Center) that operates in
Kaiserslautern named "All under one roof". Latsia Municipality is very interested in establishing such a
mechanism / tool (maybe in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labor) to be
able to offer opportunities to young people through mentoring and training according to the needs of
the local market labor.
Latsia Municipality has already submitted a project proposal for funding through the European program
«Progress» in the context "Delivering on skills for growth and jobs" to create local employment office.
Furthermore,the staff of Nicosia Development Agency prepare, on behalf of Latsia Municipality, the
implementation plan of the proposed office which includes a feasibility study and techno-economic
study.
-Objective 2: Promotion of the labor market needs at local level, creation of a database
It has been observed that there are no available data in relation to the labor market needs at local level.
All statistical data in relation to the labor market are available and are provided by the Statistical Service
of Cyprus centrally and concerns recording and analysis of data at national level or at the provincial
level.
We suggest that the Municipality, in cooperation with the local organizations that consists the Local
Support Group (LSG), to proceed with the registration of data in relation to the needs of young
unemployed people at local level (labor demand), and also recording data in relation to the needs of
employers (labor supply). There is also a need for recording / mapping young unemployed profile and
interested areas at local level. In this way a database could be created through it is possible to make a
link and matching (match-making) profile of unemployed young people with jobs available locally.
- Objective 3: Creating and signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
During the meetings of the Latsia Local Support Group (LSG) , a suggestion was made and accepted,
after the presentation of the practice applied by the Municipal Council in Thurrock, United Kingdom),
that the bodies involved in Latsia LSG to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing of
the Memorandum will consolidate and maintain their cooperation under the objective of combating
unemployment. This will ensure the continuity of its operations. The Memorandum of Understanding
will be prepared according to the model presented by the City Council of Thurrock, since what are
included will be adapted at local level.
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- Objective 4: Enhancing Latsia Local Support Group
The aim is Latsia Local Support Group continues its work after the end of the project "Jobtown". Besides,
it is important to strengthen the Group with institutions which are responsible in issues related with the
labor, planning, controlling, financing and implementing policies related to the labor market. They
should be invited to participate in the LSG and other relevant organizations such as schools (elementary
and high schools), the Public Employment Service, the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the
Cyprus Productivity Centre, the Human Resource Development Authority etc.
- Objective 5: Development of training seminars, empowerment and capacity-building
It has been found that there is a need to create and implement training courses for acquiring and
strengthening skills which will be offered to unemployed young people. They will be designed and
offered training seminars on issues related to the optimal use and development of skills and knowledge
through the provision of new and innovative methods that ensure their personal advancement and
professional development. They will also offer training seminars and capacity-building on issues related
to the field of technical professions. The Open School of Latsia is the ideal infrastructure of Latsia
Municipality that offers the above mentioned seminars. With the completion of the monitoring for each
seminar, the young unemployed will have the opportunity to be certified by obtaining the relevant
diploma which will assist them in terms of jobs claim process in the existing environment of high
competition.
- Objective 6: Creation of a system point for unemployed
Latsia Municipality, building on the implementation of the above objectives, it may, in combination, use
the information which will have to create and implement a system point of unemployed young people.
This system will be a hierarchical emergence of those with the most appropriate qualifications and are
ready to join and adequately respond to labor market requirements. The points system will be applied
through the use of specific criteria, such as time registered as unemployed, possession of certificates,
diplomas or other certification qualifications, family income etc.
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PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATING THE ACTIONS
Year
Objective
Number
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Responsible Organization
1
Nicosia Development Agency and
Latsia Municipality
2
Cyprus Youth Council, Municipal
Youth Council of Latsia, Public
Employment Services, Latsia
Municiplaity
3
Nicosia Development Agency and
Latsia Municipality
4
Latsia Municipality
5
Latsia Open School, University of
Cyprus, Cyprus Pedagogical
Institute, Latsia Municipality
6
Public Employment Services,
,University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Pedagogical Institute, Latsia
Municipality
- 14 -
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIONS
Below are listed several possible ways of financing the proposed actions by available financial
instruments on national, cross-border / transnational and European level.
On national level there is a possibility to claim funds through the following Priority Axes of Structural
Funds that will be published within the implementation of the Operational Program 'Employment,
Human Resources and Social Cohesion "in the Programming Period 2014-2020:
A) Priority Axis 1: Improving Employment Prospects and Skills Development of Human Resources
Specific Objective: 8.1.1 - Integration unemployed into the labor market through placement in
subsidized employment, including vocational training providers.
B) Priority Axis 2: Enhancing the employment of young people aged 29 and facilitating the entry into the
labor market
Specific Objective: 8.2.1 - Inclusion of young people aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education
or training into the labor market through placement in subsidized jobs and work experience places.
Specific Objective: 8.2.2 - Inclusion of young people aged 15-29 who are not in employment, education
or training into the labor market through placement in subsidized jobs and work experience places.
C) Priority 3: Combating poverty and social exclusion
Specific Objective: 9.5.1 – Creation of social enterprises and development of social entrepreneurship for
the integration of unemployed people into the labor market, including people of vulnerable social
groups.
D) Priority Axis 4: Skills Development of Human Resources and Improvement of the Efficiency in Public
Administration
Specific Objective: 10.4.1 - Increasing the participation of young people aged 15-29 in the Technical and
Vocational Education and Training
E) Initiative on Youth Employment:
The Republic of Cyprus was a region eligible for funding under the Initiative for Youth Employment
(Youth Employment Initiative) EU. A key criterion for eligibility for this initiative was established as the
youth unemployment rate to exceed 25% with reference year 2012. In this context, a special allocation
of funds amounting to € 11.572.101 obtained (at current prices) in addition to the resources allocated
for the Cohesion Policy for the programming period 2014-2020.
The Initiative for Youth Employment is part of the programming for the use of resources from the
European Social Fund by paying at least the matching funds from the European Social Fund for this
initiative. Under the Operational Program for Employment, Human Resources and Social Cohesion
include separate objectives specific to Axis Priority Initiative for Youth Employment.
For the implementation of the Initiative for Youth Employment a National Action Plan has been
prepared for Youth Employment which includes, among other, the Revised Action Plan for the
Implementation of the Recommendation "Youth Guarantee" under which each young person aged 1524 should be offered an opportunity in employment, education or training within four months from the
day remains unemployed or completing / interrupting his education.
- 15 -
On cross-border / transnational level there is a possibility to pursue resources through the following
funding programs that will be launched within the current programming period:
During the programming period 2014-2020, Cyprus will participate in the following cooperation
programs:
-Greece-Cyprus 2014-2020 Cross-Border Cooperation Program
-Mediterranean Area Transnational Cooperation Program MED 2014-2020 - Interreg VB MED
-Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020 Transnational Cooperation Program - Interreg VB Balkan Med
-Mediterranean Basin Cross-Border Cooperation Program ENI Med 2014-2020
-Interregional Cooperation Program INTERREG EUROPE 2014-2020
-Program for Sustainable Urban Development URBACT III
-European Spatial Planning Monitoring Network ESPON 2020
For the above programs the financing rate from the European Regional Development Fund is up to 85%,
while for the program CBC Mediterranean Basin ENI Med, the EU funding rate is up to 90%.
The Cooperation Programmes URBACT III and ESPON 2020 already approved by the European
Commission and the Cooperation Programmes involving Greece-Cyprus, MED, Balkan Med Interreg
Europe and is awaiting approval by the European Commission by June 2015. The Program ENI Med
expected to be submitted to the European Commission by October 2015 and approved by December
2015.
The National Contact Point for the Territorial Cooperation Programmes is the General Directorate of
EPSA, except from ESPON and URBACT programs for which the National Contact Point is the Ministry of
Interior.
On European level there is a possibility to pursue resources through the following European
Competitiveness Program funding. The EU Competitiveness Programs are programs financed by the EU
budget in order to contribute to the implementation of EU policies. These programs are typically
transnational, i.e. the submission and implementation of a proposal requires the involvement of
partners from several Member States. The proposals submitted for approval directly to the European
Commission, without the involvement of state institutions after proposals submitted competing
proposals from all EU Member States and selected through a comparative evaluation of all proposals.
Under these circumstances, the great challenge now for the state but also for every citizen, organization
or organized groups in Cyprus, whether it is a research institution, company or other organization, the
participation in these programs, and the submission of competitive proposals leading to their adoption,
with the ultimate aim of absorbing the funds. A decisive factor contributing to this objective is to inform
the public about the financing opportunities offered and conditions for submitting applications for
funding.
a) European Program for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI)
b) COSME (Program for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs)
c) ERASMUS +
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RISK ANALYSIS

The field that is determined by the institutional framework of the Republic of Cyprus for
employment sector is centralized - consolidated (controlled, funded and decided by the central
government). There is no much scope for local authorities to act of their own through their own
initiatives.

The initiatives undertaken by local authorities are not included in the official development planning
process, but it is structured mainly through cooperation with other local organizations, on a
voluntary basis.

Lack of resources (budget, human resources, etc.).

Because of the limited resources, local authorities are turning their attention to other areas where
they have more power and are entitled to their own agendas, according to the law (eg cultural
activities, waste management, collection of local taxes, restructuring of the system etc.).

The governmental structures (Ministry, departments, and services) responsible for employment,
unemployment, youth unemployment, the labor market and other related matters not usually seek
cooperation with local authorities for the initiatives that are implemented.

The public consultation is nearly absent in this area.
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