Famagusta, Cyprus. The European Union has allocated €466,400 to strengthen the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage sites in historic Famagusta. The European Commission said the funding aims to address a lack of capacity for regular maintenance after restoration works are completed.
Equipment delivered under procurement contract
The Commission announced on Wednesday that, through a procurement contract implemented between October last year and this month, specialised vehicles, machinery and equipment have been delivered to the local community to support routine and preventive care. It said the intervention is intended to ensure restored monuments are not left vulnerable to neglect, vegetation overgrowth or sudden damage once major works end.
Support for routine and emergency interventions
According to the Commission, the equipment will enable local actors to carry out tasks including vegetation removal, minor repairs and emergency interventions.
Builds on long-running EU restoration efforts
The initiative builds on more than a decade of EU-funded restoration activity in Famagusta, largely implemented through the bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage. Since 2015, the committee has overseen restoration of landmarks including Othello Tower, sections of the Venetian city walls, bastions and gates, as well as churches and mosques within the historic centre.
Wider archaeological sites also included
Major archaeological sites in the wider area, such as Salamis and Ayios Epiphanios, have also benefited from the work.
EU spending under assistance programme
The Commission said the new investment reflects an integrated approach to cultural heritage conservation by linking restoration projects with the practical realities of upkeep. Since 2012, the EU has spent €32.5 million on cultural heritage preservation under its assistance programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.
How do you think long-term maintenance funding should be structured after major restoration projects are completed?
