Projects worth more than €64 million are under construction in Larnaca, part of the EU Thalia 2021-2027 plan, the ministry of finance said on Sunday.

The Director of Cohesion Policy and Multiannual Financial Framework of the General Directorate for Development of the Ministry of Finance, Anthi Filippidou, told CNA that

The Thalia programme is a seven-year public investment plan, with a total budget of €1.8 billion, of which 969 million is an EU contribution and the remaining 842 million from the state budget.

She said Thalia includes important projects throughout Cyprus.

In Larnaca, the programme includes more than 20 projects, with a total budget of about €220 million, and “these are projects that transform the daily lives of citizens, offering multiple benefits to the local community and the economy in general,” she said.

Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras, said the Thalia programme “offers us the opportunity to shape a dynamic future for our city”.

The largest project included in the programme is the creation of a technical school for green professions in Aradippou, with a budget of €39 million, which is expected to be complete by January 2028.

The school “is expected to contribute to the creation of new technical and professional specialties, offering knowledge and skills related to the proper management of the environment, the adoption of the principles of sustainability and the education of young people in green technologies and skills, covering a gap in existing secondary technical education,” Vyras added.

Other projects underway include the redevelopment of the Pattihio Park area, with a budget of around €6.6 million, which is expected to be completed in December. It will see the planting of new trees and plants and the creation of a botanical garden, a small open space for events, an active entertainment zone, a café restaurant and a playground.

With a budget of €11.4 million, the Regeneration of Streets and Squares in the Urban Center of Larnaca is expected to be completed by October 2026. This includes the rehabilitation of Zouhouri square.

It also includes the improvement and reconstruction of existing roads, widening of pavements, upgrade of rainwater system, the installation of electronic information points, upgrading of lighting, road signage as well as arrangement of traffic.

The creation of a Multifunctional Park in Tsiakkilero, with a budget of €2.3 million, is another project that is in progress and is estimated to be completed in September.

The project concerns the creation of a multifunctional park with green and sports areas, a playground, a refreshment area, walking and cycling routes, a dog park, a small outdoor amphitheatre to give citizens a space for walking, sports and recreation.

With a budget of €4.6 million and expected to be completed in April 2026, is the redevelopment of the Acropolis Square, Alki Square and the streets in the surrounding area.

In December, the new Municipal Nursing Home is expected to be completed with a budget of €6 million.

According to the design, the new, modern building includes 22 double double and four single rooms to accommodate 48 residents, a doctor’s office, an entertainment area, a kitchen, a dining room, a staff office and more.