The Ministry of Interior announced the official launch of the EU project “Building Capacity and Improving the Overall Performance of the Home Affairs Funds in Cyprus”, with the kick-off meeting taking place at the premises of the Press and Information Office, in a statement issued on Wednesday.

As stated, the project is funded by the European Commission/Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) through the Technical Support Instrument (Technical Support Instrument - TSI) for 2023, and is implemented by EY Cyprus Advisory Services Limited.

According to the Ministry, the overall objective of the project is the effective utilisation and absorption of the Home Affairs Funds consisting of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF).

It is added that the project is part of the strategy promoted by the Ministry of Interior to strengthen the capacity of the European Funds Unit (EFU), as the Managing Authority of the European Home Affairs Funds in Cyprus, with the expected outcome of the project is the streamlining of procedures and the optimisation of the operation of the Managing Authority and the Management and Control System, always in accordance with the regulatory framework, with the ultimate objective of the effective management of the available funding.

It is also stated that an action plan will be developed and implemented, which will include, inter alia, the capacity building of both the Managing Authority and other governmental stakeholders.

In addition, it is noted that the effort is led by the Ministry of Interior together with the European Commission - Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM), while selected government agencies, departments, units, etc. identified as stakeholders are expected to be involved, with mutual benefits for all parties, as the project will contribute to the efficient and transparent allocation, absorption and monitoring of funds.

It is also stressed that the project aspires to be an important reference point for other EU member states, which face similar challenges in the areas of immigration, border management and the management of dedicated funds.

The kick-off meeting was attended by representatives of the European Commission, the Ministry of the Interior, the European Funds Unit, and representatives of relevant governmental stakeholders, while from the contractor’s side, the meeting was attended by members of the project implementation team as well as senior executives of EY Cyprus, EY Greece, and EY Italy, the statement concludes.