November 28, 2025
The 4th Meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021–2027,” organized by Directorate-General Growth (DGG) of the Ministry of Finance, was successfully held on Friday, 28/11/2025.
The aim of the Meeting was to brief Members on the progress of the “THALIA 2021–2027” Programme, which is co-funded by the EU in the period 2021–2027.
In her introductory speech, the Chair of the Monitoring Committee, Ms Pinelopi Papavasiliou, Acting Director-General of DGG, Ministry of Finance, thanked all stakeholders for their contribution to the successful completion of the Cohesion Policy Programmes of the 2014–2020 programming period, noting that Cyprus succeeded in absorbing 100% of the Cohesion Policy Funds for that period.
Regarding the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021–2027,” she stated that it has been in full implementation since 2024 and that, to date, projects exceeding the Programme’s budget are already being implemented. This achievement meets the annual absorption target for 2025, placing Cyprus fourth among the 27 Member States.
However, despite the Programme’s strong implementation progress, its early results, and the completion of a significant number of projects, the Managing Authority deemed it necessary to proceed with an amendment of the Programme so that it can further contribute to the new strategic priorities of the EU and Cyprus regarding water resilience–an increasingly urgent need due to prolonged drought.
As for the future of Cohesion Policy, preparations are already underway for the next programming period, 2028–2034. The European Commission has announced its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU’s long-term budget for the next seven years, together with its accompanying Regulations, including the new Cohesion Policy regulatory framework.
The Committee’s proceedings including detailed presentation on the Operation of Strategic Importance “Redevelopment of the Old GSP Stadium into a Green and Recreational Area”, which was successfully completed in 2025 and offers multiple benefits to both residents and visitors of Nicosia, as well as on the project “Development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training”.
The Meeting, held at the Municipal Council meeting room of Nicosia Municipality, was attended by representatives of the competent Ministries and Public Authorities, Local Government Authorities, economic and social partners, civil society and research organizations, as well as representatives of the European Commission [Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL)].
To view the relevant Press Release, click here. For the Meeting’s informational material, click here.
During their visit to Cyprus, the representatives of the European Commission (DG REGIO and DG EMPL) also visited co-funded projects of the “THALIA 2021–2027” Programme.
More specifically, the European Commission representatives, accompanied by officials from DGG and the University of Cyprus, visited two co-funded projects at the University of Cyprus: the Faculty of Engineering Research Laboratories, with a total budget of €44 million, and “Apollon” Photovoltaic Park, which forms part of the Operation of Strategic Importance “Green and Smart Energy Management at the University of Cyprus”, with a total budget of €8.1 million.
