Over €17m in state aid given to voluntary organisations in 2023

Over €17 million in state aid was provided to voluntary organisations in 2023, Deputy Social Welfare Minister Marilena Evangelou said on Friday, while outlining actions and policies aimed at supporting children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Speaking during a consultation with members of the Pancyprian Coordinating Council for Volunteerism in Nicosia, Evangelou said that the role of voluntary organisations is expanding across the spectrum of social services. She added that the ministry views organised volunteers as “valuable partners in supporting the state’s efforts”.

She explained that state aid is provided through social welfare programmes, with 276 care programmes from 154 organisations being subsidised in 2023. The total budget allocated to these subsidies exceeded €17 million. Evangelou added that this reflects a significant increase in both the number of funded programmes and the overall budget in recent years.

Moreover, Evangelou said the deputy ministry is focused on creating or expanding social care facilities under the Recovery and Resilience Plan 2021-2026. This includes new multipurpose centres for children, childcare centres and 24-hour care facilities for adults requiring long-term care.

Evangelou also mentioned the ongoing efforts to improve state support mechanisms, including continuous updates to ensure the provision of high-quality social services. She highlighted that social welfare officers in every district are available to assist non-governmental organisations and local authorities.

Discussing policies aimed at social cohesion, Evangelou announced the completion of a plan to subsidise accommodation and care for the elderly, which will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.

Additionally, a neighbourhood social worker programme, which will enhance cooperation between the state and local authorities, is being expanded nationwide.

Other initiatives include updating legislation on child adoption and fostering, as well as new laws for people with disabilities. The Deputy Minister confirmed that work is underway to revise the national disability strategy for 2024-2028, developed in consultation with relevant organisations and social partners.

Representatives from over 100 NGOs attending the consultation raised concerns about state funding, staff shortages in care facilities, and the need for specialised workers. Evangelou assured them of the ministry’s continued support.