Country Information

Cyprus

Management of Rural Development

Rural Development in Cyprus is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment which has assigned a dedicated Managing Authority to be responsible for the management of EU rural development funds, namely the Department for Agriculture. Cyprus’s Rural Development policy is defined in its National Strategy Plan (NSP) for Rural Development and a single Rural Development Programme (RDP) covering the whole country. An accredited Paying Agency, the Cypriot Agricultural Payments Organisation, is responsible for implementing the programme payments for all rural beneficiaries.

Summary of rural development policy objectives

The strategic objectives of the Cypriot RDP are the following:

Strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector, with emphasis on the products where Cyprus has a comparative advantage both within the internal market and third markets;
Protection of the environment and enhancing biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources and landscape conservation;
Improving the quality of life of the rural population and encouraging diversification of the rural economy mainly in the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas.

Relevant documents

Cypriot National Strategy Plan (NSP): N/A
Cypriot Rural Development Programme (RDP)
Rural Development Programme summary: To see the detailed RDP fiche please click here.

Relevant organisations

National Authorities, Managing Authorities and Payment Agencies:
- Ministry of Agriculture Natural Resources and Environment/ Department of Agriculture: https://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/da.nsf/index_en/index_en?OpenDocument
- Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation: https://www.capo.gov.cy/capo/capo.nsf/index_gr/index_gr?OpenDocument
National Rural Network (NRN):https://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/da/ead/ead.nsf/index_gr/index_gr?opendocument
Local Action Groups:
- Larnaca District Development Agency: www.anetel.com
- Pafos District Development Agency: https://www.anetpa.com
- Local Action Groups on ENRD website