Cyprus

The overall objective of the project is to facilitate the delivery of EU funded support under the Aid programme in view of preparing the Turkish Cypriot community for the implementation of the acquis communautaire following a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Specific Objective 1: To improve the interpretation and translation sectors in Cyprus in line with EU standards

1.1 To provide technical support and guidance in using CAT (Phrase) Software and for legal translation/interpretation

1.2 To provide technical assistance for setting up the internal structures of the Bicommunal Professional Association of Translators and Interpreters in Cyprus and implementing activities targeting professionals and youth.

Specific Objective 2: To improve the “legislative processes” in the TCc in view of TAIEX supported legal texts and bring them in line with EU standards

2.1 To provide support for the process and procedures of legal texts drafting.

2.2 To improve awareness and understanding of EU policies, especially for the most active sectors of TAIEX support as per EU acquis in the Turkish Cypriot community, in addition to improving the understanding on the general functioning and structures within the Commission.

2.3 To provide support for the use of the Database developed by the previous EU Legal and Linguistic Support Project for TAIEX supported legal texts.

Specific Objective 3: To promote Cypriot linguistic heritage, network and solidarity amongst professionals and youth

3.1 To conduct awareness raising and networking events, in view of promoting Cypriot linguistic heritage

3.2 To improve interest for interpretation and translation profession, as well as multilingualism and to improve the network and solidarity amongst the professional interpreters and translators

The purpose of this contract was to raise the awareness of the European Union, its policies and programmes within the Turkish Cypriot community in order to contribute to bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union. The project included various information and promotion activities using all available communication and media tools with the aim of raising awareness and understanding of the European Union.

The centrepiece of the information service provision was the running of the EU Infopoint, which carried out all activities and interactions. The EU Infopoint provided grassroots services tailored to local needs, which enabled the Turkish Cypriots to obtain information, advice, assistance and answers to questions about the EU priorities, legislation, policies, programmes and funding opportunities. The EU Infopoint informed in particular about the values of the EU and active citizenship. The aim of the information provision and communication of the EU Infopoint was to provide Turkish Cypriots with information on EU related activities and policies, in particular those having an impact on people's daily lives and to allow Turkish Cypriots to exchange views on such activities.

The EU Infopoint played an important role in promoting the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community and provided communication services support to EU-funded projects as part of the Aid Programme. In addition, the information service provision had a mobile component, i.e. regular outreach activities, cultural events and visits to e.g. remote rural communities and/or specific target groups in the northern part of Cyprus.

The target groups were the following:

• Young people, school and university students, teachers;
• Academia and "pundits", opinion leaders;
• The Turkish Cypriot leadership;
• Civil society organisations (CSO) and Non-governmental organisations (NGO);
• Local media;
• Potential beneficiaries of EU assistance including business communities, business organisations, rural communities, farmers etc.

The overall objective of the project of which this contract is a part is to strengthen the role of civil society in the Turkish Cypriot community as well as to promote EU values and the development of a conducive environment for the further development of trust, dialogue, co-operation and closer relationship between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities and for the integration of Turkish Cypriot civil society into the wider Union by facilitating links with EU-wide NGOs and NGO networks.

The purposes of this contract are as follows:

• to increase and improve the capacity and actions of Turkish Cypriot CSOs;
• to increase collaboration and improve joint actions between Greek and Turkish Cypriot NGO;
• to strengthen CSOs role and civic engagement in the Turkish Cypriot community (TCc);
• to foster cooperation, support and exchange of best practices between TC CSOs and CSOs of the European Union as well as with EU-wide NGOs and NGOs networks.

The EC seeked to establish a Europe-wide Communication Network gathering EU and EU Member States’ development cooperation departments for enhancing their awareness building activities on development issues. The aim was to establish a more coordinated approach between EU and Member States towards communication on development, and to create the basis for more effective partnerships with stakeholders, civil society and partner countries.

The general objective of the assignment was to increase outreach to the general public on development cooperation policies and activities, with a focus on young people.

Specific objectives:

• Establish, manage and coordinate the EU Development Communication Network (incl. organisation of annual steering committee meeting and creation of a closed social media group);
• Design, creation and management of a password-accessed web-based digital platorm for the network members;
• Organisation of an annual Europe-wide event to promote development cooperation policies and activities of the EU, directed to the general public.

The overall objective of the Aid Programme of which this EU Infopoint is part is to facilitate efforts regarding a settlement of the Cyprus problem leading to the reunification of the island and to bring the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union.

The EU Infopoint’s purpose was to improve the public knowledge, awareness and understanding of the European Union, its values, policies and programmes within the Turkish Cypriot community. This was achieved through organizing EU-related activities, interactions with the community and through giving information, advice, assistance and answers to questions about the EU.

In particular, the aim of the EU Infopoint was to inform about the values of the EU and promotion of both active citizenship and the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Regular outreach activities, cultural events and visits to remote rural communities and specific target groups in the northern part of Cyprus were organized so to reach a high number a people: youth, university students, teachers, academia, opinion leaders, the Turkish Cypriot leadership, CSOs and NGOs, local media, potential beneficiaries of EU assistance.

The EU InfoPoint public space has had a total of 6,689 visitors, including walk-in visitors, participants at mobile public space events and participants at workshops or events, well exceeding the set target of 4,750.

The InfoPoint’s website was launched and updated regularly with the latest news, calendar of events, past event news, press releases, latest publications, monthly newsletters and EU-related articles.

A total of 233 events were organized during the project, including a large-scale Europe Day with over 2000 participants.

To address the information gaps, the EU Infopoint produced and translated a number of EU publications and distributed nearly 25,000 information products during the implementation period.

The media relations activity of the EU Infopoint was successful, receiving very positive and extensive coverage in the Turkish Cypriot media, including 2,276 media articles and 244 TV spots which have significantly contributed to the amount and quality of information about the EU and its image among the Turkish Cypriot community.