Cyprus has become a full-fledged of the European Union on May 1st, 2004. As a result, European Union legislation in the form of Directives, Regulations and Decisions are directly applicable and have direct effect in the Cyprus’ internal legal system.

European Union legislation affects all aspects of everyday business and as a result companies have to comply with a new set of rules and need to acquire legal advice so as to maximize from the benefits of accession.

Participation in various EU funded Programs and EU-Cyprus Co-Funded Programs

In order to achieve the better implementation of the acquis communautaire, Cyprus is currently participating in many European funded Programs as well as European and Government Co-Funded Programs. In addition, there is a number of Cyprus Government exclusively funded programs as well as certain so-called “Neighborhood Funded Programs”. As a result, Cypriot companies can benefit from funding offered to projects undertaken under these programs.

Currently, Cyprus participates in a great number of programs in the following fields and our office provides legal advice to any individual, organization or company wishing to benefit from such programs, i.e. by conducting legal due diligence research or as local counsel to international bodies wishing to establish themselves in Cyprus in order to participate in one of the programs available.

1 .EU Funded Programs

For a more detailed list of all programs please refer to the website of the European Institute of Cyprus: http://www.eic.ac.cy

• Agriculture- Farming- Forestry: i.e provision of information on common forestry policy
• Audiovisual sector and Mass Media: i.e. MEDIA 2007, supporting youth, supporting online and offline multimedia works, etc
• Business and Industry: i.e Training course in Japan for EU Managers, 7th framework program, etc
• Competition: i.e. FP7 capacities: support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with third countries in selected fields of science and by engaging the best third country scientists to work in and with Europe
• Culture: i.e. Youth in Action, Audiovisual festival, etc
• Economy- Taxation: Financial support to European consumer organisations, Cooperation with Japan and China, grants in the field of the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) for 2007
• Employment, Social Affairs and Education: i.e. Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013, EDF - Uganda - Support to Human Rights and Good Governance Programme, INSTRUMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY - Cyprus - European Community scholarships programme 2008/2009
• Energy: i.e Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE), Adapting the current energy system into a more sustainable one, less dependent on imported fuels and based on a diverse mix of energy
• Environment: i.e The Life+ programme (Strand Nature and Biodiversity): protection of some kinds of birds, enhancing competences about knowledge and exploration of natural gaz.
• Health: i.e. CONSUMER POLICY - Common activities between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws
• Information Society: i.e. ICT & Security), Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP), etc
• Justice – Public Order: i.e. subsidization of political parties, Tests on dangerous substances in the field of construction products.
• Public management: i.e. EU-US Policy Research and Debate for the 2008-2009, LIFE+ EUROSTAT GRANTS PROGRAMME - Methodology and pilot studies on the data on the environmental sector
• Research, Technological Development and Innovation: i.e CIP - 1 ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION (EIP)- Entrepreneurship and innovation culture - Services in support of business and innovation, EUROPE FOR CITIZENS - Action 2 - Structural support for research organisations and for civil society organisations
• Rural development: i.e Common Agricultural Policy
• Services
• Space: i.e Support a European Space Policy focusing on applications with benefits for citizens
• Tourism: i.e. Pilot project "European Destinations of Excellence"
• Trade and Commerce: i.e. JOINT HARMONISED PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMER SURVEYS, CONSUMER POLICY - Financial contributions to surveillance and enforcement authorities
• Transportation: i.e. pilot project aiming at promoting secure rest places along the trans-European road network (TEN-T).
• Youth: i.e. INSTRUMENT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY - Cyprus - European Community scholarships programme 2008/2009
  

2. Co-funded Programs

These programmes concern priorities identified mutually between the European Union and Cyprus in the frame of wider developing programmes. They are co-funded from the European Union as well as the National Budget. Because there is no requirement for a transnational dimension, Cypriot organizations and companies can participate solely. These programmes are managed in Cyprus, while the European Union reserves the right to monitor them.

• Agriculture- Farming- Forestry: i.e. protection of forests from fire and reforestation, promotion of products in third countries, etc
• Business and Industry: provision of grants to SMes in certain sectors,
• Competition, Health, Fisheries and Marine Affairs: i.e. provision of state aid for the implementation of HACCP for food and drinks.
• Education: provision of training to companies with 1-4 employees.
• Employment and Social Affairs: subsidization of companies for the creation of new working positions with flexible working times
• Environment: i.e. technical support for farmers
• Regional policy: Agricultural areas development
• Rural development: Agricultural Subsidies Plan for 2007, subsidization for goats and sheep, training of farmers, etc

3. Cyprus Programs

National Programmes concern funds coming from the National Budget. They are tailor-made to meet state aid regulations and concern Cypriot priorities. These programmes are managed centrally in Cyprus.

• Agriculture- Farming- Forestry: i.e. promotion of setting up of banana farming organizations, honey production measures, etc.
• Business and Industry: i.e. training on safety at work issues, creation of joint ventures with Turkish Cypriots, etc, assistance to Cypriot companies exhibiting their products/services abroad, etc
• Culture: i.e. program for the subsidization of sports events.
• Education: i.e. subsidization of initial and continuous training in Cyprus and abroad, etc
• Employment and Social Affairs: i.e. self-employment by persons with disabilities.
• Energy: i.e. promotion of use of alternative energy resources and energy saving.
• Environment, Information Society, Research, Technological Development and Innovation, Rural development, Sports, Tourism, Trade and Commerce.

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