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1. Governance

2. Cross-sectorial cooperation

Governance

The Deputy Ministry for Culture (Υφυπουργείο Πολιτισμού)  is the main governmental authority responsible for Culture, according to the Law Ν. 55(Ι)/2022 (available only in Greek). According to its mission, the Deputy Ministry is an independent, flexible, and autonomous administrative structure, dedicated to the promotion of the culture of Cyprus, the  cultural heritage, as well as the  Modern and Contemporary Culture. The promotion of innovation in culture is also one of the responsibilities of the Ministry according to its Founding Law, referred to above. 

The Deputy Ministry consists of the following 3 departments: the Department of Contemporary Culture (formerly known as Cultural Services), the Antiquities department and the Cypriot Handicraft Service. 

The primary objectives of the Deputy Ministry, summarized, are:

• Strengthening and Professional Empowerment of Workers in the Cultural Industry
• Establishment of a Strong Network of Strategic Partners
• Enhancement of Internationalization through Development and Strengthening of International Collaborations
• Encouragement of the Establishment of European Networks in Cyprus
• Leveraging Cyprus’ Strategic Geographic Position

The Deputy Ministry is also a member of the Cross-Sectoral Working Group  of the e Youth Board of Cyprus (YBC) (state’s authority on youth issues). Therefore, regarding the policies affecting young people’s participation and involvement in culture, the Youth Board of Cyprus’ structures and mechanisms are involved. More information on how policies for youth are decided can be found on the Youth Wiki’s Chapter 1.4 Youth Policy Decision-making and 1.5 Cross-sectoral approach with other ministries.

At the same time, policies taken at the national level are enforced centrally since the responsibility of decision-making is under the central government and not the local authorities. The local authorities are in charge of the implementation of programmes through funding they receive from the government. Moreover, youth NGO’s, such us Cyprus Youth Clubs Organisation (KOKEN), are also funded to organise cultural events locally.

Also, there are some non-public actors, such us the Cyprus Architectural Heritage Organization and the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation, which aim to promote and highlight the island's cultural heritage, both internally and abroad.

In 2017, the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts was founded. The academy is the uppermost spiritual institution of Cyprus, and its goal – among others – is the promotion ad cultivation of science, letters and arts within Cyprus and globally.

Cross-sectorial cooperation

The Deputy Ministry of Culture cooperates with other Departments of the public administration, such as the , the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC), the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Union of Cyprus Communities and the Presidential Commissioner.  

Under the National Youth Strategy though, a new cross-sectorial partnership is being developed especially on culture and creativity-related policies for youth (see also 1.5 Cross-sectoral approach with other ministries).