€31m reform to modernise Cyprus Social Welfare Services

Nicosia, Cyprus. A €31 million reform will deliver the first comprehensive modernisation of Cyprus’ Social Welfare Services, department director Maria Kyratzi said on Wednesday. The project aims to improve service operations and upgrade the country’s social protection system.

Reform objectives

The reform is intended to promote social cohesion, equality of opportunity and a decent quality of life for all citizens.

It will focus particularly on child protection, support for vulnerable groups, and improving the quality and speed of services provided to citizens.

Service restructuring

The restructuring will cover the full operation of the Social Welfare Services, including its structures, procedures, intervention mechanisms and the daily tools used by officers.

Its objective is to establish a more modern, effective and people-centred social protection system capable of responding to growing and increasingly complex social needs.

Programme support

The project is being implemented under the Thalia 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programme and is co-financed by the European Union.

The Social Welfare Services manage more than 40 social protection and support programmes and employ more than 500 professionals.

Growing needs

The deputy ministry said rising social needs and the increasing complexity of cases handled by the services had made reform necessary.

It noted the importance of the changes given the number of children under state guardianship and cases requiring multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary intervention.

The reform provides for organisational modernisation, along with upgraded internal capacity and support mechanisms.