EU Funds

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. EU funds dedicated to integration are available in Cyprus through the coordinating national authorities listed below.

The following information has been updated with the national programmes under the 2021-2027 EU funds.

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Cyprus

• Details: The initial allocation for Cyprus under the 2021-2027 AMIF programme is €59,127,196 (this represents the EU contribution). Out of it, 47% was allocated to asylum, 18% to integration and legal migration and 29% to return activities. The remaining 6% is for technical assistance, to support the implementation of the programme.
• The Cypriot AMIF programme worked on the following national integration priorities: integration measures targeting the education sector; preparatory actions to facilitate access to the labour market and assessment of skills with the aid of EU Skills Profile Tool for TCNs; integration measures by local authorities/ NGOs; integration measures for victims of human trafficking; improving administrative capacity.
• National managing authority: The managing authority for the AMIF programme in Cyprus is the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior.
• The Asylum Migration and Integration Fund released its latest call for proposals on the 8 December 2023, that is pertinent to the funding of projects falling within the Specific Objectives 1 ‘Common European Asylum System’ and 2 ‘Legal Migration and Integration’. In particular the call concerns the following projects:
  • Establishment and operation of an Open Reception Centre for Unaccompanied Minors who are third-country nationals
  • Establishment and operation of an Open Reception Centre for Vulnerable Persons-Applicants for international protection
  • Greek language courses for adults
  • Greek language courses for minors
  • Establishment of a Migrant Information Centre (MIC).
• A notable example of an AMIF project is Enhancing structures and policies for intercultural integration in Cyprus, a 14-month project to be implemented by the Intercultural Cities Programme and the EC’s Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, in partnership with the Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus. The project began at the end of October 2023.

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Cyprus

• Details: The EU will invest 222 million EUR via ESF+ in funds in Cyprus over the 2021-2027 period to improve labour market policies, increase skills development and strengthen social cohesion in the country.
• National managing authority: The ESF+ is implemented in Cyprus through the Thalia programme which also includes funding from the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The Thalia programme is managed by the Directorate General Growth of the Ministry of Finance. See more about EU funds in Cyprus. 

Other EU funds for integration available in Cyprus

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authorities: the Youth Board of Cyprus is the responsible National Authority in the areas of youth and non-formal Learning for the Erasmus+ programme, while the Foundation for the Management of the European Lifelong Learning Programmes is responsible for educational programmes in the fields of education and training.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF): aiming to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD): aiming to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion and to combat early school leaving due to financial issues

National managing authority: Directorate General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

National managing authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment; EMFF supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts

Other funding in Cyprus

• EEA and Norway Grants
• The Information Portal for Funding Programmes is a useful resource providing up-to-date information about EU and local funding opportunities for service providers and other entities. Interested parties can browse the calls, which are classified thematically.