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1. Existence of a National Strategy

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a National Strategy

There is not a standalone national strategy on youth volunteering in Cyprus. However, one of the eight thematic areas covered by the National Youth Strategy (2017-2022) (see 1.3 National Youth Strategy) is volunteering. 

Also, the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of the Volunteers (Διακήρυξη των Δικαιωμάτων και των Ευθυνών των Εθελοντών) is an official document, approved by the Council of Ministers that establishes a common basis for volunteering. It was introduced in 2016 and is based on relevant declarations from the European Commission, the United Nations, and the Council of Europe. It targets volunteers in general and is not specific to young volunteers. Although approved by the Council of Ministers, the Declaration does not function as a binding document for all volunteers, voluntary activities and organisations. Instead, it serves as a point of reference for the design and upgrading of policies related to volunteering, in terms of safeguarding the rights and obligations of volunteers.

Scope and contents

The National Youth Strategy (2017-2022) outlines the following seven priorities when it comes to youth volunteering:

1. To institutionalize volunteering and to promote voluntary activities inside and outside school/university and/or work environment.
2. To educate young people about their obligations and rights as volunteers.
3. To promote modern forms of volunteering.
4. To establish minimum standards for issuing a certificate for volunteers.
5. To ensure that the rights of volunteers are not exploited.
6. To support voluntary and Non-Governmental Organizations.
7. To promote volunteering at national and transnational levels as a means of expressing solidarity.

The Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of the Volunteers (Διακήρυξη των Δικαιωμάτων και των Ευθυνών των Εθελοντών) outlines the rights of volunteers in general (not specific to young volunteers) which are clustered as: (i) basic rights (ii) rights in receiving support from the voluntary organisations (iii) rights to personal development. It also covers the responsibilities of the volunteer and the responsibilities of the voluntary organisations which are clustered as: (i) basic responsibilities (ii) responsibilities to support volunteers (iii) responsibilities towards the personal development of the volunteer and (iv) cooperation with other voluntary organisations.

Responsible authority

There is no dedicated governmental authority solely responsible for volunteering. 

As already mentioned in Section 2.2 Administration and governance of youth volunteering, the Office of the Commissioner for the Citizen (Γραφείο Επιτρόπου του Πολίτη) is a governmental institution which is responsible, among other duties, for the support and empowerment of the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Τhe Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council, as a non-public actor, also plays significant role in this area, since, according to its law, one of its main purposes is “to contribute actively to the planning, formulation and shaping of the social policy of the Republic”. The Youth Board of Cyprus is also an actor, as the coordinator of the National Strategy for Youth 2017-2022, which includes volunteering as one of its 8 pillars.

Revisions/ Updates

 The National Youth Strategy is currently under review and the 2^nd National Youth Strategy will be published in 2025, with a timeframe extending until 2030.