The municipality says its welfare network reached thousands of people in 2025, underlining its role as Cyprus’ largest provider of social services after the state.
Nicosia Municipality has presented the scale of its social policy, saying more than 3,500 residents received support in 2025 through a broad network of care, counselling and assistance services.
The figures were outlined during an event at the Multipurpose Municipal Centre attended by Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Clea Papaellina.
Mayor Charalambos Prountzos said the municipality is responding to growing social needs through a comprehensive framework of actions focused not only on immediate support, but also on prevention, empowerment and equal opportunities. He said the data confirm that Nicosia Municipality is the most significant provider of social services in Cyprus after the central government.
Measured impact
According to the municipality, 3,578 people were served in 2025. These included 822 infants and children in care structures, 270 elderly people in day-care and home-care services, and 2,147 participations in counselling services and Open School programmes.
The municipality also provided 674 support packages to vulnerable households, while 83 organisations took part in its Solidarity Network.
At the same time, the municipality operates nine social structures, makes use of 14 school and sports facilities, and employs 61 staff members across its municipal institutions.
Strong spending on welfare
Nicosia Municipality said its investment in social policy remains substantial, with a budget of €2.95 million for 2026.
It also allocated €522,000 in grants to charitable institutions and more than €58,000 in sponsorships to organisations.
In addition, a total of 4,891 residents in the municipal districts of Nicosia, Engomi and Agios Dometios, as well as 590 in Aglantzia, benefit from billing discounts amounting to €313,570.
Deputy Minister Papaellina said local government is a key pillar of social support and stressed the importance of cooperation with Nicosia Municipality. Referring to her recent visit to municipal programmes and structures, she highlighted the quality of services provided, as well as the dedication and professionalism of staff.
“Behind the numbers are real human lives that receive daily support through organised and targeted interventions,” she said.
Plans for expansion
The municipality said it is moving ahead with a number of priorities aimed at strengthening its social policy.
These include funding for the upgrade and expansion of the Aglantzia Elderly Home, funding and improvements for the Aglantzia Community Nursery School, and the upgrade of the Agios Dometios-Engomi Multipurpose Centre.
It also plans to introduce a new funding policy for strategic social investments exceeding €300,000, revise its grants framework so that it adjusts more dynamically based on the number of beneficiaries, and improve coordination between the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and local authorities for all-day and summer school programmes.
The municipality is also promoting an amendment to Article 48 of the Municipalities Law so that state support becomes more substantial and binding for municipalities running developed social programmes.
The event concluded with a reception featuring True Heart Café, described as Cyprus’ first social enterprise, in a gesture aimed at promoting acceptance and inclusion.
Nicosia Municipality said it will continue investing systematically in policies that strengthen social cohesion and provide practical support to residents.