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CyprusAid - The Development Cooperation Service of the Republic of Cyprus

Types of Assistance provided by CyprusAid


TRADITIONAL METHODS

Contributions to the European Union for External Assistance (contribution to the General European Commission Budget and to the European Developent Fund) and to International Organisations.

Cyprus, in its capacity as a Member State of the European Union, contributes to the EU budget, which is, inter alia, used for the financing of development activities. In this sense, Cyprus is a contributor to the EU development programme and this contribution is registered as ODA by the Republic of Cyprus. In fact, this aspect constitutes a sizeable percentage of Cyprus’ total ODA, which is expected to gradually decrease as more funds are channelled towards other aid delivery methods. Furthermore, as of 2011 the Republic of Cyprus is also contributing to the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund (EDF). The 10th EDF represents the bulk of the European Union’s financial assistance to the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries (ACP countries) as well as the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT).

Furthermore, Cyprus' contributions to various International Organisations, like WFP, FAO, UNIDO, UNDP etc., are accounted as Official Development Assistance.


Emergency Response and Humanitarian Assistance.

As witnessed during the Lebanon crisis in 2006, Cyprus can assume a vital role as a coordination centre for the dispatch of emergency humanitarian assistance in cases of natural disasters or conflict situations in the region, aided in this role by its geographic position and the good relations it enjoys with countries in the area. Besides its role as a facilitator in emergency response situations, the Government and the people of Cyprus, having been in the same situation themselves after the Turkish invasion of 1974, have contributed significant amounts of humanitarian and other assistance to countries and people in dire situations (from either natural or man-made disasters). In addition, CyprusAid, together with the Government’s emergency services is ready at all times to provide humanitarian assistance and relief either in the form of funds to be used as needs prescribe, or in kind (i.e. pharmaceuticals, clothes, tents etc.).


Technical Assistance.

Within the framework of the Technical Assistance Scheme, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus provides each year a number of scholarships of short and long duration for participation in educational courses organized by Academic Institutions and/or Universities in Cyprus, as part of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) strategy. All scholarships offered through the Technical Assistance Scheme, are provided officially on a bilateral basis (from Government to Government), through the diplomatic channels. The areas of studies offered are Tourism, Management and Forestry, areas in which Cyprus has developed expertise. As of the academic year 2007-2008 the scholarship scheme has been enhanced through the introduction of scholarships to students interested in working towards the degree of Master in Business Administration (MBA) or Master in Public Sector Management (MPSM).

Scholarships of short duration are offered only "on ad hoc" basis i.e in the cases where partner countries request assistance on a specific field of study that Cyprus has specialisation on.

It is noted that for the academic period 2012-2013 the Technical Assistance Scheme is temporarily suspended.



NEW MEANS OF ASSISTANCE DELIVERY

Delegated Cooperation.

In 2006, Cyprus introduced a new element in its development cooperation effort, namely the implementation of development projects in partner countries through Delegated Cooperation – Silent Partnerships. This method entails that Cyprus forms partnerships with other agencies, preferably EU Member States or International Organisations (preferably UN Organisation), for the implementation of projects in countries of common interest. The rationale behind this decision was that cooperation with other countries ensures that Cypriot aid is benefiting partner countries from the onset of Cyprus’ engagement in the sector. Otherwise, a large part of the ODA budget would have to be directed towards building an aid delivery mechanism, thereby considerably decreasing the actual aid reaching partner countries.

Besides cooperation with other EU Member States, CyprusAid is also cooperating with International Organisations and more particularly with UN Agencies. The UN Agencies have a long experience and expertise in providing specialized development assistance, as well as for raising public awareness on various issues concerning world development through their knowledge of the recipient countries needs and the relations of trust they have established with recipient countries. Cooperation with UN Agencies for the delivery of assistance enables us to provide effective and focused assistance to the recipient country.

The countries that have been characterised as priority counties for Cyprus, for the implementation of development projects, are the following: Autonomous Palestinian Territories, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali and Yemen.


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