EU awards EUR 450.000 to Turkish Cypriots

The European Commission has awarded grants to 11 enterprises, career counselling and training institutions in the northern part of Cyprus to promote equal opportunities for access to the labour market for all, and to adapt the skills of workers, employees and the unemployed to labour market needs.
The following enterprises and institutions have been awarded a grant: Tasova Foundation of Quarries, Organic Farming and Life Association, Öngel Kozmetoloji Koleji, Ras Karier, Can-Ser Ltd., Chamber of Turkish Cypriot Computer Engineers, Intergaz Ltd., Latife Balci, DAÜ Bilgi IÃ…?lem Merkezi, The Management Centre of the Mediterranean and Life-Long Learning Centre Ltd.
The grants range from 10,000 to 50,000 euros and they cover between 65% and 90% of the total cost of each project. Activities will be implemented over a period of up to 24 months and the beneficiaries will receive thorough guidance on how to proceed, starting on the day of signing the contract.
This was the first Call for Proposals under the “Making the Labour Market more inclusive” grant scheme financed from the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. The second Call for Proposals has been launched on 12 November 2008.
In order to congratulate the applicants being awarded a grant, a ceremony will be held on 1 December 2008 from 18:00 to 20:30 at the EU Programme Support Office, 38-44 Kyrenia Avenue in Nicosia in the presence of European Commission officials and representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community.