A GOVERNMENT PLEDGE
NEW INCENTIVES TO HALT URBAN MIGRATION
HALTING THE POPULATION DECLINE IN REMOTE MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
Village communities, mainly in rural mountainous regions across 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 residents of smaller villages began to leave in search of better opportunities. This was mainly caused by a decline in modern village infrastructure and minimal work prospects, completing the circle of decline of greater rural village life.
ABANDONED VILLAGES
A NEW REGENERATION PROGRAM
There are already several examples of ABANDONED VILLAGES in some rural areas across Cyprus. Some of these communities have all but disappeared after being slowly eroded by downward migration trends. Firmly acknowledged by the government, this now forms a classic example of what happens if no action is taken. In response, the government has introduced the Troodos Mountain Village Regeneration Program. This program, which is designed to help buck downward migration trends, aims to promote the repopulation of numerous small, mainly mountain rural village communities. The program does this by offering initiatives that include favourable housing options, along with extra financial incentives. The program also highlights a renewed commitment to regeneration, further developing AGRO-TOURISM.
A STRATEGIC PLAN
The overall strategic plan for regeneration is made up of a whole package of financial incentives. These are firmly aimed at people who want to settle or re-settle in rural village areas. The construction of several new environmentally sustainable developments that are then induced by criteria-based financial incentives has proven crucial for people wishing to relocate. Each of these dwellings offers condition-based government-funded financial incentives for its acquisition, and they are available on application. Government-funded support for transport costs to help people commute from rural areas has also been introduced. It is generally thought that these financial incentives, along with the introduction of several sustainable new developments, are helping to strengthen both the economic and social innovation within local mountain rural village communities.
A REVITALISED COMMUNITY
A RENEWED OPTIMISM
Several 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 rural villages has led all concerned to reaffirm their efforts. This has allowed all concerned to actively revitalise remote communities in several rural villages across Cyprus.
A BOOST IN POPULATION
It was broadly agreed that, amongst other things, the support granted through renewed housing plans has been largely successful. These initiatives have actively encouraged several young families to settle permanently within mountainous village communities. Nearly all of the new residents have cited the financial incentives to be the main factor for their resettlement. As a result, the respective local populations of several of these remote areas have rapidly increased.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEMES
Given this success, new initiatives, such as the modernisation and the introduction of new infrastructure projects, including affordable housing schemes, are to continue. In light of this, community leaders constantly raise various specific issues that are regularly heard and then resolved using competent services. Overall, the multitude of projects underway across the island means that the future of remote mountain communities in Cyprus looks bright.
