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Cyprus

This page contains specific information about the planning and implementation of smart villages in Cyprus. The information aims to orient people on policy planning, key contacts and resources on smart villages. However, it neither aims to be fully comprehensive, nor necessarily reflects the official government or European Commission position.

Explore how smart villages are being implemented in Cyprus.

Key CAP contact(s) :

Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (Managing Authority)
Website : http://moa.gov.cy/?lang=en

Support for Smart Villages under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

  • The Cypriot Managing Authority fully supports the concept of promoting Smart Villages through the future CAP Strategic Plan. To this end – and in the framework of the consultation for the SWOT Analysis of the Strategic Plan – the Ministry organised various meetings with stakeholders and other national bodies to discuss the current situation and possible ideas for actions and interventions related to Smart Villages.
  • There is no final decision on how Smart Villages will be programmed and/or financed in the next period. However, according to initial discussions and thinking of the Managing Authority, Smart Villages might focus on the promotion of smart and precision agriculture. Furthermore, horizontal Smart Village actions might be considered, including various measures (such as cooperation, investments, promotion of information and knowledge, etc.) and specific actions under ‘Basic Services’.
  • Furthermore, the Managing Authority is expecting that LEADER should have a significant role in Smart Villages planning. Among others, Local Action Groups (LAGs) can play an important role in the promotion of information activities, capacity building and supporting networking of various actors.
  • The final version of the new Cypriot CAP Strategic Plan was submitted to the Europe-an Commission in October 2022. It includes the following reference:
    “Especially for the Smart Rural Areas initiative and strategy, there is continuous con-sultation and communication with the contractor of the ‘2nd Preparatory Action for Smart Rural Areas in the 21st century’ project, shortly ‘Smart Rural 27’ or ’SR27’ project, funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture. The project has set up a Taskforce in cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Re-search, Innovation and Digital Policy and the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, whose aim is to give suggestions and proposals for the development of smart rural areas.”
    The CAP Strategic Plan also includes the national definition of Smart Villages.
  • Discussions between the Managing Authority and other governmental services are ongoing in the aim of establishing clear synergies and complementarity between the CAP Strategic Plan, other programmes supported under the Structural Funds and other relevant national schemes.
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Key NRN contact(s) :

National Rural Network (Department of Agriculture)
Website : http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/ead/ead.nsf/home_el/home_el?opendocument

Activities of the National Rural Network (NRN) on smart villages

The National Rural Network (NRN) has not yet been involved in activities related to the Smart Villages concept. They may start activities in the near future.

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Support provided through other national/ regional policies & initiatives

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Key organisations & contacts

Network of “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus”

The Network of “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus” was established under Axis 4 – LEADER of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (on 24 April 2012) as the main result of a national cooperation project – that is still running during the 2014-20 programming period – among the 4 Local Action Groups of Cyprus. The Network currently has 32 members/villages, 8 from each LAG. One of the main targets of the Network is to integrate the Smart Villages concept as part of the ‘beauty’ of the member villages.

Key activities :
  • Promoting the attractiveness of Network members

Promoting the attractiveness of the areas and communities to both locals and visitors. Locals have to realise and appreciate what they have, building on new opportunities. Future visitors need to access information about the rural areas and communities and their attractiveness. 

Timing: 2013-2023

  • Getting young people involved

Activities concern creating the opportunity for young people to learn more about their area and neighbours and to express their plans and their dreams for the area and community. The aim is to support financially and build on some of these plans and ideas.

Timing: 2013-2023

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Further key resources

Lighthouse factsheet of Athienou
Municipality of Athienou ( 2023 )
The factsheet outlines the smart journey of Athineou, lighthouse community within the Smart Rural 27 project. Athineou, a peripheral rural community started addressing local problems by establishing the Council of Volunteers and basic social services. Goals for the future are to adress local needs and establish necessary social programs to tackle the challenges identified through the engagement of the community members in the development.
Language : English
Report | Cyprus Taskforce regional meetings

Language : English
Cyprus Taksforce Action plan
( 01/11/2022 )
In Cyprus, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy is already supporting scientific research, investing in innovative entrepreneurship, implementing a digital transformation reform, and designing the “Smart Cyprus Platform”. The Deputy Ministry is expected to take ownership of the Smart Villages Policy, supported through the CAP Managing Authority. The Taskforce is expected to suggest specific CAP policy interventions, securing that duplications are avoided. The Taskforce is built in a way that most of the relevant interventions and funding schemes are represented.
Language : English
Smart Rural 27 – Smart Villages Taskforce in Cyprus
Makis Papamichael - SR27 project ( 18/11/2022 )
A presentation on the Smart Rural 27 project experience. The presentation was given in the workshop “Enabling a supportive framework for Smart Villages through the Smart Rural 27 project – How to get involved?” at the Smart Rural 21 project’s Final Conference of 17-18 October 2022 in Sopot, Poland.
Language : English
Smart Villages: Revitalising Rural Services
( 09/07/2018 )
A video with Greek subtitles produced by the ENRD Contact Point summarising what a ‘smart village’ represents from different perspectives.
Language : English, Greek
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