Welcome to the European Funds Unit's website.

The website includes information on the Home Affairs Funds, as well as on the Programs and projects through which the funds provided to the Republic of Cyprus are used, under the management of the EFU, as the Managing Authority of the Home Affairs Funds in Cyprus.


History of the European Funds Unit

The European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior was established with the name Structural Funds Management Unit in October 2002, within the context of the preparation of the Republic of Cyprus for accession to the European Union. The objective of its establishment was the smooth integration of Cyprus in the third financial period of the European Union (2000-2006 programming period). In particular, the Unit carried out the duties of the Intermediate Body for the Structural Funds, as it was responsible to manage the pre-accession assistance received by Cyprus from the said Funds. The Supervisor of the Unit was Mr Marios Kitromilides.

In 2006 the Unit was renamed into Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund Management Unit, as it assumed the role of the Intermediate Body for the Cohesion Fund as well. Mrs Christina Rodosthenous was appointed as the Supervisor.

In June 2008 it was renamed into Structural Funds, Cohesion Fund and Solidarity Funds Management Unit, as it was appointed as the Authority in charge of the Solidarity and Migration Flows Management Funds, within the context of the 4th financial period of the European Union (2007-2013 programming period).

In parallel, it was assigned the following duties by the competent Managing Authorities (Planning Bureau and Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment respectively): a) Intermediate Body, within the Operational Programme titled “Sustainable Development and Competitiveness” and b) Implementation Unit of the Managing Authority/Project Promoter of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO) for Measures 3.1-3.2 and Regime 4.1.3 (Leader) of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme.

The duties of the Supervisor of the Solidarity and Migration Flows Management Funds Sector were carried out by Mr Alekos Kelveris, whereas Mrs Rodosthenous remained the Supervisor of the Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds Sector.

In December 2008 the Unit was renamed into European Funds and Solidarity Funds Management Unit and the duties of the Supervisor of the two Sectors were carried out by Mr Kelveris. At the same time, after the change of the name of the Unit, its first logo was also created, whereas the Solidarity and Migration Flows Management Funds developed a distinct logo.





During the 2014-2020 programming period, the Unit was appointed by the Minister of Interior, with Decisions dated 29th December 2014, 30th June 2015 and 31st December 2015, as the Managing Authority of the new Home Affairs Funds for the 2014-2020 programming period. The Home Affairs Funds evolved into the Solidarity and Migration Flows Management Funds of the 2007-2013 programming period. The Home Affairs Funds consisted of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Internal Security Fund (borders-visas and police cooperation).

At the same time, based on Decision dated 19th November 2014 and within the context of starting the implementation of the Programmes of the new programming period, the Unit was renamed into European Funds Unit (EFU), which is the name kept to date, and it acquired a new logo. The Home Affairs Funds acquired a new logo as well.





At the same time, the Managing Authorities (Directorate-General of European Programmes, Coordination and Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment respectively) assigned the Unit the duties of Intermediate Body within the framework of the Operational Programme titled “Competitiveness and Sustainable Development”, which was jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund, as well as the Implementation Unit of the Managing Authority/Project Promoter of the CAPO for Measure 7 titled “Basic services and village renewal in rural areas” of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, which is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

In October 2014, Mr Konstantinos Kyprianou took over as the Head of the Unit.

In the 2021-2027 programming period, the European Funds Unit was appointed by the Council of Ministers, by Decision number 95.251 dated 13 September 2023, as the Managing Authority of the Home Affairs Funds, which at present consist of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.

At the same time, the European Funds Unit is responsible for the integration, monitoring, management and control of jointly funded projects implemented by the Local Administration Authorities and/or the District Administrations, in Urban and Rural Areas, within the framework of Operational Programmes which are jointly funded by the Cohesion Policy Funds and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Specifically, the EFU has been reassigned by the Managing Authorities (Directorate-General for Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment) to act as the Intermediate Body within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme titled “THALIA 2021-2027”, as well as the Implementation Unit within the framework of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan for Common Agricultural Policy.

During the programming period 2021-2027, the tasks of the European Funds Unit were further expanded, as it was appointed, by Decision of the Council of Ministers, as the Technical Verification Body for the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Furthermore, in May 2024, EFU was appointed as the Contact Point for the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The logo of the Unit was maintained as per the previous programming period, but the logo of the Home Affairs Funds was cancelled, based on Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and the Council of 24th June 2021.


European Funds Unit's objectives

Within the contexts of its duties and competences as Managing Authority for the Home Affairs Funds, the EFU awards the implementation of co-funded projects to various bodies and organisations.

In particular, the Managing Authority awards the implementation of co-funded projects to government bodies, such as the Cyprus Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Asylum Service, the Civil Registry and Migration Department, the Civil Defence etc., with direct award wherever the nature of the projects and actions falls exclusively within their competence (de jure monopoly).

At the same time and where the direct award does not apply, the EFU awards the implementation of co-funded projects through Calls for Proposals. The bodies eligible to submit a proposal are as follows: Government services, NGOs, national, district and local authorities, other non-profit organisations, private and public companies, international organisations. The proposals of the potential Beneficiaries are evaluated by the Managing Authority through an impartial process and the selected proposals are co-funded by the European Union, through the Home Affairs Funds, and the Republic of Cyprus.

Through strategic planning and programming, based on the decisions made at European level, as well as through the adjustment and monitoring of the government policy, the EFU aims at the following:

- achieving efficient management of migration flows;
- border protection;
- ensuring internal security;
- creating development and infrastructure projects;
- implementing projects contributing to the economic growth and social development in general;
- ensuring sustainable development;
- maintaining social cohesion, prosperity and welfare of the citizens in a constantly changing environment;
- achieving the maximum absorption possible of European funds made available to the Republic of Cyprus by the EU.