As climate change continues to exert its effects on communities around the world, proactive measures are essential to mitigate its impact. In response to this pressing issue, Cyprus under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan has launched the Grant Scheme for Strengthening the Resilience and Adaptation of Communities to Climate Change. This scheme aims to provide much-needed financial support to empower Community Councils and promote sustainable mobility investments. In this article, we will delve into the key aspects of this plan, its objectives, beneficiaries, budget, and eligible categories of investments.
The primary purpose of the Grant Scheme is to encourage and facilitate investments by Community Councils in managing the impacts of climate change, particularly high temperatures and flooding. Additionally, the scheme seeks to promote investments in sustainable mobility, thereby addressing environmental concerns and enhancing community well-being.
The scheme is open to a range of beneficiaries, including Community Councils, Partnerships of Community Councils, and Community Service Clusters. This inclusive approach ensures that various entities at the local level can participate, collaborate, and work towards climate resilience.
This funding has been allocated from the European Union's Next GenerationEU Funds for a total budget of €2,900,000. The scheme emphasizes the EU's commitment to tackling climate change and supporting its member states.
One of the notable features of this scheme is that it covers 100% of the eligible expenses incurred by the applicants. This means that Community Councils and related entities can receive full financial support for their eligible projects.
However, to ensure fair distribution of funds, the scheme sets specific limits on the subsidized funds. The maximum subsidy amount per application is capped at €150,000, while the minimum sponsorship amount stands at €10,000. This range allows for flexibility in project size and scope, accommodating both smaller-scale initiatives and more extensive endeavors.
Interested parties should take note that applications for the Grant Scheme will only be accepted online from October 2, 2023, until June 30, 2024, or until the available budget is exhausted, whichever comes first.
Therefore, it's crucial for potential applicants to act promptly and efficiently to secure funding for their climate resilience and sustainable mobility projects.
The scheme offers a structured framework for categorizing eligible investments. These categories are designed to address specific climate change challenges and promote sustainable mobility, more specifically:
Investment Category A: This category covers expenses for consulting services related to planning, costing, application assistance, public contract implementation, engineering services, landscaping, architectural design, and licensing of proposed interventions. These services are crucial for the successful execution of climate adaptation and mobility projects.
Investment Category B: Category B includes investments in the redevelopment and configuration of public spaces using permeable materials to manage rainwater and cope with flooding. It also encompasses the implementation of sustainable rainwater drainage systems and initiatives to create natural shading through tree plantings and pergolas. Additionally, it includes the installation of urban equipment to enhance public spaces, such as benches, bicycle parking stations, and fountains. These investments aim to address the immediate challenges posed by climate change.
Investment Category C: This category focuses on sustainable mobility, specifically the construction of bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths or the extension of existing ones. It also includes urban equipment along these routes, such as benches and bicycle parking stations, and tree planting to provide natural shade. These investments promote eco-friendly transportation and enhance the mobility infrastructure of communities.
It's important to note that certain expenditures are not eligible for funding under this scheme. These include Value Added Tax (VAT), expenses incurred before application approval (excluding Category A expenses), land purchase for investments in Categories B and C, creation of new parking spaces, construction or extension of bicycle paths, operational costs, and beneficiaries' staff fees.
The Grant Scheme for Strengthening the Resilience and Adaptation of Communities to Climate Change is a remarkable initiative to empower local communities in the fight against climate change. By providing financial incentives and support for climate adaptation and sustainable mobility investments, this scheme encourages Community Councils and related entities to take proactive steps toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Communities should seize this opportunity to make a lasting impact on their environment and build a climate-resilient future for all.
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