The Municipality of Ayia Napa implements for the second consecutive year the institution of the Participatory Budget.
The Mayor of Ayia Napa, Giannis Karousos, stated to KYPE that “after the excellent results it had last year, the implementation of the Participatory Budget, the Municipality of Ayia Napa is proceeding with its implementation this year as well. "After a unanimous decision of the Municipal Council, the Participatory Budget will continue to return to the citizens, in the form of development projects, the annual liquidity of 200 thousand euros, which resulted from the repayment of guaranteed loans by the government."
As Mr. Karousos explained, "this is a unique action for the Cypriot data, in the context of which last year four total projects were proposed and implemented or are in the process of implementation. This is the creation of a shelter and change of floor in the Ayia Napa Kindergarten, which was a proposal of the Kindergarten Parents Association and the implementation of a shelter in the basketball court and the creation of a reading room in the Ayia Napa Primary School "Antonis Tsokkou", a proposal submitted by the Municipality School ".
Also "the building for housing a Children's Club of the Community Volunteer Council (SKE) of Ayia Napa is being upgraded / renovated, which was a proposal of SKE, while the upgrade of beach equipment is being implemented, a proposal submitted by the Pancyprian Association of Famagusta Hoteliers".
The Mayor of Ayia Napa expressed "satisfaction for the implementation of another pioneering successful action of the Municipality. "Through the Participatory Budget, the citizens participate in the development planning of the Municipality, since they propose and have a say in the selection and implementation of specific projects", he said and added that "essentially the citizens participate actively and thoroughly in the development of the Municipality".
Mr. Karousos reminded that "the idea started after the announcement of the government for repayment of the guaranteed loans of the Municipalities. The Municipal Council of Ayia Napa decided that the annual liquidity of 200 thousand euros that resulted from the relevant announcement, be invested in projects with the participation of the citizens ".
We believe, he continued "that this institution should be mandatory in all municipalities and this will be one of the proposals that we will send to the Ministry of Interior on the issue of local government reform. "Reform must have fresh ideas that will be in the interest of every local community and these will emerge from the public debate that must take place."
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Karousos said that "the procedure to be followed by the citizens, the organized groups and anyone interested in the implementation of the Participatory Budget has been made public on the Social Media of the Municipality of Ayia Napa. Specifically, the maximum budget for each proposal will not exceed 50 thousand euros, while each proposal / suggestion must be detailed and detailed, with an analysis of costs and budget.
The proposals that meet the criteria, he continued, "will be posted on the internet, in order to give the citizens the opportunity to prioritize them and vote for the suggestion of their preference. Then all the data will be forwarded to the Municipal Council which will take the final decisions ".
Proposals / submissions must be submitted in writing and be in the bid box of the Municipality of Ayia Napa or sent by e-mail grammatia@agianapa.org.cy until two o'clock at noon on Thursday, January 31st.
Famagusta.News / KYPE