SUSTAIN Project: Second training session in Chios, Greece – 30/06/2011

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Within the framework of the SUSTAIN project, the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of Prefecture Chios (TEDK CHIOS) organized on June 28, in Chios, a training session under the title: “Europe for Citizens 2007-2013, financial tools, actions and implementation practices from public and private stakeholders of local and regional level”. In parallel with that event, ten representatives from Cypriot Municipalities, along with the Cypriot twinning coordinator, participated in a three-day visit to Chios.

The main aim of the training session was to present to the audience, good practices and experiences of the representatives and officials of Cypriot and Greek Municipalities. As concerns the three-day visit of the Cypriot group to Chios, the purpose was for the representatives of Cypriot Municipalities to visit areas of Chios, which have experienced the positive impact of the implementation of European projects, as well as to better understand the local culture and public processes of North Aegean.

SUSTAIN Project: Visit of the Head of the UCM Brussels Office to Chios – 06/07/2011

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Within the framework of the SUSTAIN project, the Head of Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Mr. F. Pantelogiannis, visited Chios from the 27th of June to the 4th of July.

On June 28, Mr. Pantelogiannis participated to the second training session of the SUSTAIN Project: “Europe for Citizens 2007-2013, financial tools, actions and implementation practices by public and private stakeholders of local and regional level”. He also participated -along with eleven representatives from Cypriot Municipalities- to part of the organised visits in areas of Chios that have experienced the positive impact of the implementation of European Programmes.

Later on, the Head of the Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, visited the Municipalities of Chios (29 and 30 June), Psara (1 July) and Oinousses (2 July), in order to explain to elected officials and municipal officers the role of a representation office in Brussels. These meetings aimed also to open a communication channel and create within the three Municipalities, a mechanism for receiving and using information sent by the UCM Brussels Office (search partners, calls for proposals, etc.), so that they could benefit from these information to the greatest extent possible.

 

SUSTAIN Project: Drafting of a study outlining the current situation in Cyprus – 31/08/2011

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During his 10-day visit in Cyprus (9-19 May), the expert of TEDK Chios had thoroughly recorded the situation in the Municipalities of Cyprus with regard to their involvement in Town-Twinning and other European Programmes.

This recording has now been documented into a study, which compiles the results of the meetings that took place in Cyprus involving representatives of thirty out of its thirty three Municipalities, including Mayors, Municipal Secretaries and municipal personnel. Five such meetings had been organized in Cyprus, where the municipalities were divided as follows:

  • Nicosia, Strovolos, Ayios Dhometios, Aglantzia, Lakatamia, Latsia, Engomi, Idalion.
  • Kyrenia, Morphou, Lapithos, Kythrea, Karavas, Lefkonikon.
  • Limassol, Mesa Yitonia, Ayios Athanasios, Kato Polemidia, Yermasoyia.
  • Larnaka, Aradippou, Athienou, Lefkara, Paralimni, Agia Napa, Deryneia, Akanthou, Lysi.
  • Pafos, Polis Chrysochous, Geroskipou, Peyia.

In each of these meetings, the twinning coordinator of the Union of Municipalities, Ms. Kalia Martides, presented a summary of the SUSTAIN project and the “Europe for Citizens” Programme, while the presentation of the Greek expert, Mr. Kampouras, focused on the methodology of the project and facilitated the gathering of all the necessary information concerning the participation of Cypriot Municipalities in European Programmes.

The participants were then asked to describe the experience of their Municipality in European Programmes, the process they follow in order to participate in them and the problems encountered at all stages of their participation. Mr. Kampouras went through the steps of an application procedure (diagnosis of the Municipality’s needs, correct formulation of the central idea of a project, searching for a suitable call for proposals, partner search, submission and successful implementation of the project) and asked the participants to describe their experiences in relation to all these steps. All the discussions were then recorded in detail in the aforementioned study.

According to the expert’s conclusions, most of Cypriot Municipalities understand sufficiently the meaning, the importance and the added value of Town-Twinning and of the European Programmes in general.

In small Municipalities where the human and financial resources are relatively small, there seemed to be less awareness of the issue and its correct dimension. For this reason, the meetings highlighted from the beginning of the discussion the general concept of the European Programmes and what they offer to the implementing bodies.

All these observations and conclusions of the expert of TEDK Chios were included in the first part of his study, while its second part has been dedicated to proposals and recommendations, in order to improve the performance of Municipalities in the use of Town-Twinning and other European Programmes.

EUROPEAN PROJECT SUSTAIN: SETTING UP OF THE INTRANET – 23/09/2011

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Within the framework of the SUSTAIN project, an Intranet has been set up, linking the websites of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and TEDK Chios. The Intranet aims to accelerate and optimize the management and dissemination of crucial information to and from the Municipalities of North Aegean and Cyprus and their Associations, in order for all of them to have direct access to all the documents of the SUSTAIN project, as well as project ideas and proposals, partner searches and best practices.

The Intranet has been set up as an internal section of the website of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. Via this internal e-space, registered users from the Municipalities or other stakeholders, will have access to partner searches gathered from the Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and other sources, completed projects which can be considered as good practices, practical guides and other useful information, in order for even the most inexperienced Municipalities to have access to targeted and easy-to-use information. The Intranet will also give the opportunity for online comments, consultation, discussions and assistance. This function will initially have limited functionality until the majority of the users get acquainted with the system and learn how to fully use it by themselves, in a way that when there is a specific question or a final idea, all of the users who have access to the system will be able to share their experience and comments.

Access to this communication network will initially be given to registered users, only among the Municipalities of Cyprus and of the Northern Aegean Islands. In the future, access will also be given to users from other areas in Greece and other EU Member States. Gradually, the system will be upgraded and used more widely, to cover the demanding needs of digitalized communication among Local Authorities and their Associations, in an automatic and costless way.

SUSTAIN project: proposals and recommendations of the expert – 30/09/2011

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Having completed three quarters of the implementation time of the SUSTAIN project and four out of its six main activities, the expert of TEDK Chios, Mr. V. Kampouras was able to make a series of proposals and recommendations aimed at improving the current situation and increasing the efficiency of the participating Municipalities in the use of Town-Twinning and other EU Programmes.

According to Mr. Kampouras, despite all difficulties and obstacles faced by Cypriot Municipalities, there is a very lively interest from both officers and their Municipalities to participate in European Programmes.

According to the expert, a toolkit should therefore be created for Municipalities with the support of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, which should make an effort to steer the Municipalities of Cyprus and of the Northern Aegean Region, towards the implementation of a well-structured process of participation and implementation of European projects, which to the extent that it will be followed, would ensure success and maximum benefit for the stakeholders.

According to Mr. Kampouras, this procedure should be strengthened and supported by existing tools, as well as others which will be produced in the framework of the SUSTAIN project, like the ones outlined below:

  • Development of the intranet. On the first page of our issue, we referred in detail to the development of this tool. As pointed out, the intranet has been developed as an internal section of the website of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, which gives access only to registered users. These users will have access to partner searches, completed projects which can be considered as good practices, practical guides and other useful information.
  • Editing of a “Practical Twinning Guide” (in Greek), containing good practices information, guidelines and tips for the successful implementation and use of the “Europe for citizens” programme. This Guide will be a permanent point of reference not only for the participating Municipalities and municipal officials of the Greek and Cypriot Municipalities to this project, but also for all of those who would like to participate in the “Europe for Citizens” Programme in the future.
  • Annual publication of the “European Programmes’ Guide”. This Guide is already being published (in Greek) since 2007 by the Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, but it should be updated and upgraded.
  • Re-activation of the inter-municipal network of European Affairs Officers of the Cypriot Municipalities. This network, which used to be active in the past in the framework of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, should be reconstituted and re-activated. Its aim should be the mutual support of its members, and the constant recording of targets, problems and opportunities in the sphere of European Programmes. The network could make use of the SUSTAIN intranet and gradually identify and exploit synergies and potential collaborations, with the support of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities.
  • Offering support (advice, implementation guides and integrated examples) for the drafting of five-year “mini business plans” by the Municipalities, outlining their plans and objectives, regarding Town-Twinning and other European programs.
  • Offering support for the drafting of project proposals to the Municipalities that do not have relevant experience and further step by step support until the full cycle of a first European project is completed.
  • Editing of a terminology and “things to do or not to do” guide, for submitting, managing and implementing European projects.
  • Registration of all qualified and experienced municipal personnel (e.g. in thematic areas such as IT, environment, e-health etc) and joint use of it, in the framework of a wider cooperation between Municipalities.
  • Setting up of an “automatic and standardized process” for the participation of Municipalities to European Programmes. The process consists of four steps:
    Step 1: Preparation of a Business Plan
    Step 2: Search for calls, drafting or search and evaluation of the proposals based on one’s needs
    Step 3: Implementation of the action
    Step 4: Use and dissemination of results

The detailed description of the four steps of the process is available (in Greek) in the “Preliminary report outlining the current situation of Cypriot Municipalities regarding the use of Town-Twinning and other European programmes”, which is available on the intranet of the SUSTAIN project.

It is worth mentioning that almost all the proposals and recommendations of the expert have not only been adopted, but their implementation has already started. Thus, by the end of the year, when the SUSTAIN project will be completed, the Municipalities of Cyprus and of the Northern Aegean Region, will have a complete arsenal of tools at their disposal for the development of Town-Twinning and other European Projects.

SUSTAIN Project: Study visit to Brussels – 21/10/2011

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The study visit of the SUSTAIN project to Brussels took place from the 4th to the 7th of October. It involved 25 participants: 12 municipal officers from 11 Cypriot Municipalities, the Twinning officer of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, and 12 representatives of the Local Unions of Municipalities and Communities of the Prefecture of Chios and Lesvos (citizens, academics and officials of these Unions and their member Municipalities).

The two teams arrived in Brussels from Greece and Cyprus with different flights. So apart from their joint programme, which took place on October 5 and 6, the Cypriot team was able to attend two additional events.

More specifically, the group of participants from Cyprus arrived in Brussels in the morning of October 4th and almost immediately went to the Committee of the Regions, where they attended a seminar on: “The Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020: the role of local and regional authorities in the EU budget. Towards a genuine partnership approach”. The same afternoon, the participants from Greece also arrived in Brussels. In the evening, the participants of the two groups attended together a dinner, where they met each other and the two officers of the Brussels Office of the UCM, who accompanied them throughout the study visit.

On October 5th, both groups went to the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency of the EU, where they attended a presentation on the application process for the funding of Town Twinning projects and a discussion, during which, the participants were able to address their questions and to become better acquainted with EU officials who handle applications submitted by the Municipalities, for funding through the “Europe for Citizens” programme.

This visit was followed by a lunch and later the participants departed for the Committee of the Regions, where they attended a presentation of this European body and the 10th meeting of the “ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL POLICY” Commission of the Committee, thus getting a first taste of how the representatives of their Municipalities contribute to shaping the future EU legislation.

On October 6th, the participants visited the Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, where they initially attended a presentation of the Office and of the projects SUSTAIN and Pro-I3T, which will be implemented in 2012.

After that, the participants attended a workshop entitled “Process for the Participation to and the Development of European Programmes”, during which the role of a Brussels office was stressed, and best practices were presented by:
• Mrs. Laura Bas Marian, Sustainable development officer of the organization Fundación Comunidad Valenciana-Región Europea (Spain)
• Ms. Blanca Soler i Tobella, Head of the Brussels Office of the Provincial Council of Barcelona (Spain)
• Mr. Gabriele Morgante, from the Brussels Office of the Region Veneto (Italy)
• Mr. Gustavo López, Director of European Affairs, Brussels Office of the Region of Murcia (Spain) and
• Ms Jackie Eveleigh, Senior European Policy Officer, East of England Brussels Office.

The workshop has been followed by a lunch and a presentation of its conclusions. The participants then discussed on the preparation of the next event (second 10-day visit of the expert of TEDK Chios to Cyprus). Subsequently, the participants visited the Directorate General for Regional Policy, where they attended a presentation and an extensive discussion on the issue of funding through the Structural Funds, but also the financial and political crisis that Europe is currently facing. A dinner was offered to the participants in the evening.

On October 7th, the group of participants from Greece departed from Brussels, while the group of participants from Cyprus visited the European Parliament, where they attended a small part of a panEuropean conference on Small and Medium Enterprises and a presentation of the discussions in the European Parliament for the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. The same night, the Cypriot participants departed by plane for Cyprus.

After the visit, the participants completed questionnaires in order to measure their degree of satisfaction for the study visit. The questionnaire asked participants to indicate how satisfied they were, based on ten criteria, related to their expectations before the visit, the structure of the program of the visit, the degree to which the visit served the purpose of the SUSTAIN project, as well as the knowledge gained from the visit.

According to the responses, the overwhelming majority of the participants were very or extremely satisfied with 8 of the 10 abovementioned criteria. Many, however, said that they had not understood the purpose of the visit before their participation (which is partly explained by the fact that many of them participated for the first time in such a visit to Brussels), and that they would prefer to have more practical and less theoretical or general presentations from the speakers.

Six new Municipalities in Cyprus – 25/10/2011

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The establishment and operation of the Municipalities in Cyprus is governed by the Municipalities’ Law, approved in October 1985 (Law 111/85).

An important provision of this Law is that a referendum can be held in a Community or group of Communities, which have a population of over 5000 inhabitants, among the registered voters in these areas, to determine if they desire to declare their area as a Municipality (Article 4). If the result of the referendum is in favour of designating an area as Municipality, then the Council of Ministers declares the region as a Municipality with a relevant Decree, which is published in the Official Journal of the Republic, and promptly starts the implementation of the provisions of the Municipalities’ Law in the newly created Municipality.

The above section was amended in 1992 to give the power and authority to the Council of Ministers to order for a referendum in Communities or clusters of Communities with a population less than 5000 inhabitants, if such an area has the financial ability to operate effectively and efficiently as a Municipality.

Based on the above provisions of the Law, referendums took place in Cyprus during last July, which declared six new Municipalities: Ypsonas, Livadia, Yeri, Sotira, Tseri and Dromolaxia-Meneou. The new Municipalities were established officially on October 21st, by Decrees of the Minister of Interior, and thus the number of Municipalities in Cyprus has now increased to 39.

 

Press conference: 30th anniversary of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities – 04/11/2011

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In the framework of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, a press conference was held on November 1st, during which, the President of the Union of Municipalities and Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Andreas Christou, referred to the course of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities (UCM) from its founding up to today, its major milestones along the way and its aims for the future.

Mr. Christou said that the UCM has to continue to provide support and upgraded services to the Municipalities and Local Authorities of Cyprus and noted a number of areas, which the UCM considers important for its successful evolution: use of European programmes to the biggest possible extent, closer cooperation between Municipalities both for creating joint Municipal services and for jointly claiming European funding, further development of the cooperation with the Union of Cyprus Communities, cooperation with all Ministries and especially with the Ministry of Interior, in order to handle issues relating to local government and to update various laws that relate to urban development. Moreover, the Union of Municipalities aims to introduce e-government as “The project that will significantly improve the operation of Municipalities, thus increasing their efficiency and the communication between Municipalities and their citizens and creating significant savings of resources…”.

Then Mr. Christou mentioned some important milestones in the course of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, including the preparation of a draft for the Municipalities’ Law and provision for Municipal Elections, as well as the Cooperation Agreements with the Committee of the Regions, the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece, the Malta’s Local Council Association and the Local Union ofMunicipalities and Communities of Prefecture Chios (now Union of Municipalities of Northern Aegean Sea). Finally, Mr. Christou mentioned the setting up, in July 2005, of the Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, which daily monitors the European decision making process relating to local government and provides Municipalities with reliable information on funding opportunities and European programmes.

Information kiosks: 30th anniversary of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities – 07/11/2011

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In an effort to highlight its 30th anniversary, the Union of Cyprus Municipalities decided to set up, on November 5th, 19 information kiosks to present the Union and its members in all urban areas in various parts of Cyprus.

The purpose of the kiosks was to give the visitors sufficient information about the history, role, achievements and contribution of the UCM, while, people who visited them were able to meet with Mayors and Municipal Councilors for further information.

More specifically, kiosks operated in the following Municipalities: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Pafos, Strovolos, Ayios Dhometios, Lakatamia, Ayios Athanasios, Mesa Yitonia, Yermasoyia, Athienou, Aradippou, Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Geroskipou and Polis Chrysochous. Kiosks for the Occupied Municipalities operated in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.

28th Annual General Assembly of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities – 10/11/2011

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The 28th Annual General Assembly of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities was held on November 8th, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Neoklis Sylikiotis, leaders and representatives of political parties, former and current Mayors and other officials.

The first part of the General Assembly, which was held in the presence of its members, began with the speech of the President of the Union of Municipalities and Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Andreas Christou.

Mr. Christou firstly referred to the main achievements of the Union of Municipalities during the last thirty years and then noted that “there are still goals to be achieved, which demand the strong and constant effort both by the Union and the Municipalities”. Mr. Christou also expressed his disappointment for the non-achievement of the financial autonomy of the Municipalities and the non-institutionalisation of the annual grant from the Government to the Municipalities.

In view of the local elections, Mr. Christou invited everybody ”to keep on a high level and walk together, through the democratic process, to the path of progress, development and prosperity.”

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias, from the podium of the General Assembly, expressed the direct support of his Government, which aims at the substantial improvement, strengthening, reform and modernization of the local government in Cyprus and pledged that his government will remain in solidarity with the Local Authorities, despite the current difficult economic conditions, just as it did the previous three years with a series of decisions and measures that were implemented.

In his address, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Neoklis Sylikiotis, said that Local Authorities are the natural ally of the Government and the Ministry of Interior for the successful implementation of a wide range of crucial and innovative policies, which are currently under way.

The Minister described as urgent, the adoption of two acts tabled in the House of Representatives, concerning the voluntary unification of Communities and the consolidation and codification of the Laws of Municipalities and Communities.

The 28th Annual General Assembly of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities also had a celebrating character, since the Association completed 30 years of existence and action. In his address, the President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Mr. Andreas Christou, referred to the 30-year course of the Association and presented the efforts and achievements of the Union during the last years, which will continue, as he claimed.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Association, a number of Diplomas were awarded to the founder and initiator of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Mr. Lellos Demetriades, the former Presidents of the Union Mr. Michalakis Zampelas and Mr. Demetris Kontides, as well as to former Mayors who served the Union of Cyprus Municipalities, from its founding until today.