How can European funds be used more effectively for the benefit of citizens and local communities? What are Cyprus’s actual needs, and what priorities should be set for the next programming period?

These are some of the key questions raised at the Focus Group held last Thursday, July 2, at Domes Sergiou Winery, as part of the European project “Signs of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania.”

Twenty-one people participated in the discussion, including representatives of local government, relevant agencies, organizations, and citizens, who exchanged views, experiences, and suggestions regarding the role of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus’s development.

Following a presentation of the project, the available Cohesion Policy funding instruments, and successful examples from Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania, an open and interactive discussion ensued centered on three key themes: Education, health, and social infrastructure; the environment and green investments; and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Participants shared their views on the most significant challenges facing the country, as well as on the opportunities offered by European funding in these specific sectors.

The discussion was not limited to the present. In the final part of the Focus Group, participants were asked to share their thoughts on the future of Cohesion Policy after 2027, examining issues such as the enlargement of the European Union, support for candidate countries, and the need for all regions to continue to have equal opportunities for development and access to European funds.

The views and suggestions gathered will form part of the broader consultation taking place in the three project countries, helping to shape proposals for the future of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy.

The Focus Group is one of the activities of the project “Signs of Cohesion Policy in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania,” which aims to bring citizens closer to Cohesion Policy by highlighting the tangible impact of European investments on the daily lives and development of local communities.