Meeting among the members of the Network “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus”

The meeting of the members of the network “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus” took place on February 8, 2013 in Lania. The objective of the meeting was to give the chance to the representatives of Local Authorities to get to know one another and exchange views related to the activities of the network. More than 50 individuals took part in the meeting: representatives of the most beautiful regions of our country, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Network and representatives from the Teams of Local Action that are implementing Regional LEADER programs in their regions of intervention. The Teams are composed of the Larnaca District Development Agency LTD, Paphos Development Agency, Aphrodite, Development Agency of the Communities of Troodos and Limassol District Development agency, LTD.

The President of Limassol District Development agency and President of the Union of Communities of Limassol Mr Lefteris Pericli addressed the event on behalf of the Teams of Local Action. The Director of the Department of Agriculture gave an address too. The Coordinator of the Project, Mr Makis Papamixail, presented the key objectives of the Project, the actions that have been completed and the remaining actions until the end of 2014.

The Network “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus”- falls under Axis 4 – LEADER Program of Agricultural Development 2007-2013 and specifically Action 4.2 and the Project of Inter-regional Cooperation “Routes in Disadvantageous Regions of Cyprus”. The founding members of the Network “Beautiful Villages of Cyprus” are the following Local Administrations: Athienou, Lefkara, Chirokitia, Kalavassos, Amargeti, Houlou, Kalepia, Salamiou, Kelokedara, Kakopetria, Pedoulas, Agros, Agios Therapon, Fini, Anogira, Prastio, Avdimou, Lania, Agios Georgios and Silikou.

The Network will be promoted through a website, the creation of routes and comprehensive recommendations for visiting the villages of the Network, via the publication of a printed guide, the organizing of educational actions with the participation of students from the various villages as well as visits by journalists to the participating villages. The network shall also be promoted by a special conference and though the participation in tourist exhibitions.