Dozens of projects in communities in Limassol are expected to get approved from Brussels in the next few days, for gaining funding from the Structural Funds. The Limassol Development Company, acting as a funding body for European funds, has secured funding of 5.5 million euros for financing infrastructure projects for communities (youth centers, information centers, squares, etc.) as well as for Agrotourism actions. Specifically, 3.5 million euros has been approved by the LEADER operational program for the 2014-2020 programming period and 2 million by other measures.
According to Mr. Rakis Pierides, the General Manager of the Limassol Development Company, the Agrotourism funding scheme will finance private investments with a maximum funding of 60% for the creation and modernization of tourist accommodation, cafes, restaurants and retail outlets of traditional products. As Pierides mentioned, the first call for expression of interest for the scheme has been completed and the applications have been submitted for approval to the Ministry of Agriculture. From the funding program, a saltcave theme park will be created and a shop selling products in Kato Platres, an investment of a total budget of 929 thousand euros, the creation of a small hotel unit at Phini (747 thousand euro) and agrotourism accommodation in Anogira, Omodos, Lofou and Vouni, as well as the creation of an exhibition space at Omodos (321 thousand euros).
Moreover, within the framework of the LEADER Local Development Strategy 2014-2020, applications for the "Small-Scale Public Infrastructure" program will be accepted by September 27. This concerns public works in communities, which have secured all licenses and will be submitted for funding. In particular, through this program, the following projects are promoted as the redevelopment of the traditional core of Omodos and Apaseia, the redevelopment of the square of Lofou, Monagri and Eptagonia, the creation of a botanical park in Asomatos and Fasoula, an open-air exhibition area in Doros and an amphitheater at Koliani.
Also, the creation of an Oinos-Commandaria Information Center in Agios Georgios Sylikou, a community library in Pachna, a youth center in Avdimou and Akrounta, a center of agricultural professions and an Olive theme park in Silikou, an olive museum in Akapnou, a center of cultural inheritance in Lofou, a center for Autistic Children in Omodos and the restoration of the traditional olive mill in Arakapas.
