A GOVERNMENT PLEDGE
THE CYPRUS GOVERNMENT IS TO OFFER INCENTIVES TO HALT VILLAGE MIGRATION
HALTING THE POPULATION DECLINE IN REMOTE MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
Village communities, mainly in rural mountainous regions of the island, are suffering from a sharp decline in resident numbers. People from these once thriving communities continue to follow the popular migration trend to larger towns and cities. This trend began on the island several years ago after several former residents began to leave in search of further opportunities in the bigger towns and cities on the island. This has caused a further decline in village infrastructure and minimal work prospects, completing the circle of decline.
ABANDONED VILLAGES
Several villages are still currently experiencing a decline in numbers and the Troodos Mountain Village Regeneration Program is designed to help buck the downward migration trend. There are already examples of ABANDONED VILLAGES in some rural areas all over Cyprus and these village communities have have all but disappeared after being slowly eroded by the downward migration trend. This forms a classic example of what happens if no action is taken and this is firmly acknowledged by the government. The main aim of the program is to promote the repopulation of numerous small, mainly mountain village communities. The program offers initiatives that include new financial incentives, as well as improvement programs that are aimed at infrastructure in these regions. The program also highlights a renewed commitment to regeneration, further developing AGRO-TOURISM.
A NEW REGENERATION PROGRAM
The Troodos Mountain Village Regeneration Program is firmly aimed at rural communities that are now at risk. The Cyprus government is using this initiative to offer several incentives that are designed to directly address the problem of downward migration. It is hoped that the incentives within the generous financial package will buck the current trend and help to repatriate former residents to rural communities. The overall strategic plan for regeneration is made up of a package of financial incentives aimed at people to settle or re-settle in these areas. These include the construction of several environmentally sustainable developments. These developments are induced by criteria-based financial incentives for people wishing to relocate. Each of these dwellings offer condition-based government-funded financial incentives, for their acquisition and are available on application. Government-funded support for transport costs to help people commute from rural areas have also been introduced. It is generally thought that the new developments, as well as the financial incentives, will help strengthen economic and social innovation within local mountain village communities.
A REVITALISED COMMUNITY
Residents remain optimistic about the future of various remote mountain communities all over Cyprus. This is due to ongoing efforts by community leaders and authorities to repatriate these areas. An increase in people moving on a permanent basis to remote villages has led all concerned to reaffirm their efforts, revitalising remote communities in various villages all over Cyprus.
It was broadly agreed that, amongst other things, the support granted through renewed housing plans has been largely successful. It is now proven that the program is actively encouraging young families to settle permanently within mountainous village communities. The recipients, in nearly all cases, have cited financial reasons to be the main factor for their resettlement. This has now boosted the respective local populations of several of these remote areas.
Given this success, new initiatives, such as the modernisation and the introduction of new infrastructure projects, including affordable housing schemes, are to continue. In addition to this, community leaders constantly raise various specific issues that are regularly heard and are resolved using competent services. Overall, the multitude of projects underway, all over the island, means that the future of remote mountain communities in Cyprus looks bright.
