Nicosia: Cyprus authorities and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an implementation agreement for the voluntary return support measure titled ‘Assisted Voluntary Returns Hub (AVR HUB)’ as part of the 2nd Swiss Contribution in the field of Migration, covering the 2019-2029 Programming Period. This measure includes the rental and renovation of a facility accommodating up to 40 asylum seekers, with an estimated cost of approximately pound 1.1 million.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the agreement was signed by Penelope Papavassiliou, Director General of the General Directorate of Development at the Ministry of Finance, Maria Adamidou, Director of the Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, and Vassiliy Yuzhanin, Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration in Cyprus. The initiative emphasizes support for vulnerable groups who choose voluntary return to their home countries. Fully funded by the Switzerland-Cyprus Cooperation Programme, the project has a budget of CHF 1.05 million (approximately pound 1.1 million) and will be executed by IOM in partnership with the Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.
The Finance Ministry’s press release detailed that through the 2nd Swiss Contribution for migration support measures in the EU, Cyprus received funding of pound 10.7 million in Phase A (2019-2026). The Swiss Confederation has also allocated an additional CHF 10.0 million (pound 10.7 million) for Phase B (2025-2029), with a national contribution of CHF 900,000 (approximately pound 963,000) from the state budget.