“Open Society” with innovative actions

The actions of the “Open Society” program are completed in August with innovative actions to support the migrant integration process.

The implementation of the program was preceded by the Municipality of Larnaka as Coordinator with partners the Municipality of Paphos and the Community Volunteerism Council of Geroskipou(SKE) of Geroskipou and lasted 18 months. The aim of the program was to offer services and opportunities to migrants to improve theirparticipation in economic and social life, so that the local community can use their knowledge and skills. The program is co-funded by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund by 90% and the Republic of Cyprus (10%), with a total budget of 100,000 euros.

Migrants are people from non-EU third countries who live and work legally in Cyprus, for financial reasons or with refugee status and subsidiary international protection or are asylum seekers. Through the “Open Society” actions, TCNs had opportunities to upgrade their skills, to socialize, to get acquainted with the culture and culture of Cyprus and to get to know the local population.

Services offered included first aid courses for domestic helpers, Cypriot dance classes and experiential workshops on Cypriot culture. The Municipalities also organized various educational excursions to the sights of Cyprus and multicultural events. In Larnaka, food-tasting and traditional TCNs costumes exhibitions were organized and in Paphos cricket tournaments etc.

SKE Geroskipou and SKE Pegeia offered day-care and creative employment of children and support of students in schoolwork. During the pandemic, online seminars for social skills upgrade were organized.

Finally, the Municipality of Larnaka organized a dialogue forum with the communities of TCNs to record their problems and needs.

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