The Programme “Local Development and Poverty Reduction” is the largest programme funded through the EEA and Norway Financial Mechanisms for the current period 2014 - 2021, with an overall budget of €8.396.118. The Directorate General for Growth of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic, which is the National Focal Point for the EEA and Norway Grants in Cyprus, is also acting as the Programme Operator of the Programme “Local Development and Poverty Reduction”. The relevant Programme Agreement between the Donors and the Programme Operator was signed on the 29th of June 2020. Eleven projects were included in the Programme Agreement, focusing in the areas of environment, health, social welfare and culture. The project contracts for all projects have been signed between the Programme Operator and the Project Promoters and implementation has begun for all projects. More information on the projects funded under this Programme are available in section Projects.