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1. Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

2. Scope and contents

3. Responsible authority

4. Revisions/ Updates

Existence of a National Strategy on social inclusion

There is not a national strategy for the social inclusion of young people exclusively. 

In early 2026, the Cyprus Cabinet  formally approved the first National Strategy for Migrant Integration (2026-2029), which sets measurable targets for inclusion in Greek language training, access to employment, education, and social services. The Strategy places particular attention to young migrants and minors, in recognition that early integration into the education and training system is critical to preventing long-term social exclusion.

Special reference has to be made on the Revised National Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028  (Αναθεωρημένη Εθνική Στρατηγική και Σχέδιο Δράσης για την Αναπηρία 2024-2028) which was developed by the Department of Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, with the contribution from various Ministries, Deputy Ministries, and members of the Pan-Cyprian Council for Persons with Disabilities. This strategic framework aims to promote the social inclusion, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities, including children and young people, by implementing targeted policies and actions. Specifically, the strategy includes tailored educational support for children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs, through the reform of special education and the introduction of inclusive practices in schools, specialized vocational training and employment programmes for young adults.

Furthermore, the first National Strategy and Action Plan for Autism 2024-2028 was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2024 to ensure that people with autism, including young people will have, from childhood and throughout their adult lives, everything they need to develop, actively participate in society and enjoy fundamental rights unhindered and in a safe and inclusive environment. The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare acts as the coordinating body for this strategy and according to its thematic priorities, a cross-sectoral collaboration is established.

Moreover, the Strategy on Social Policy (Στρατηγική για την Κοινωνική Πολιτική 2022-2027) is the government's decree, which outlines the social priorities of the Republic of Cyprus for the period 2022-2027 and addresses the needs of the whole population of the country, including young people. The Strategy’s action plan includes specific programmes and initiatives that invest in skills development, training, and employment creation, key factors for youth social inclusion. For example, it supports the activation and engagement of NEETs (young people Not in Employment, Education, or Training) through mobile units that provide intensive, individualized employment services in remote areas. These services are informed by local needs mapping and are delivered in close collaboration with local authorities and social partners, aiming to enhance young people’s access to employment opportunities and strengthen their social participation and inclusion.

Finally, one of the 8 action fields of the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022 (NYS) is Social Inclusion. The National Youth Strategy was adopted in May 2017 by the Council of Ministers. The Strategy is cross- sectorial hence it incorporates all the policies that affect young people. The results of the Strategy’s implementation have not been published yet.

Scope and contents

The National Strategy for Migrant Integration for 2026-2029 aims to foster a state of affairs that promotes the integration of legally residing migrants into Cypriot society, focusing on socio-economic inclusion and cultural understanding while preserving social cohesion. The key integration areas of the Strategy are: 

• Education & Skills Development 
• Employment & Economic Participation
• Housing & Mobility
• Awareness & Combat Stereotypes
• Healthcare & Well-being
• Legal/Policy Alignment
• Cultural/Sports Inclusion. 

Through its Action Plan, each area includes actions focused on youth inclusion and empowerment like training programmes for the integration of the unemployed and inactive into employment, with focus on young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), as well as a new Training Plan for Youth in Enterprises. Also, unaccompanied minors’ trainings are provided, with a tailored and age-appropriate approach.

In regards to the Revised National Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 for Disability, the scope is the fulfilment of the rights of persons with disabilities, as equal members of society, and the improvement of their quality of life. The Strategy actions address the following thematic lines:

• Early child and family intervention.
• Comprehensive and inclusive education.
• Access to the natural and built environment, transport and information.
• Access to health services and treatment. 
• Integration in the employment market.
• Adequate standard of living and independent living.
• Participation in cultural life, entertainment, leisure activities and sports.

Through a collaborative and participatory approach, the strategy seeks to address key challenges faced by young people with disabilities and to foster their inclusion in education, employment, and community life. It emphasizes accessibility, equal opportunities, and the enhancement of support services across different sectors, ensuring alignment with international human rights standards.

As it concerns the National Strategy and Action Plan for Autism 2024-2028 its thematic pillars include:

• Research and knowledge
• Detection, diagnosis and early intervention
• Health and therapeutic intervention
• Education
• Social protection and independent living
• Work
• Participation in leisure, culture, society.

Through these pillars, supported through coordinated cross-sectoral efforts, the Strategy emphasizes youth inclusion by ensuring that children and adolescents with autism have access to early intervention, inclusive education, social participation, and pathways to employment.

As reported in the Strategy for Social Policy 2022-2027, the main goal of the State continues to be the recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by building a strong and effective welfare state, with measures for the increase of the employment and the creation of quality jobs, the welfare of citizens and development.

The Strategy focuses on the following priorities:

• Investment in Skills, Training and Retraining
• Investment in Employment and Creation of new jobs
• Children, women , and family support
• Protection of Workers' Rights - Social Protection
• Social Cohesion and Social Welfare

Some of these priorities (such as skills investment and family support) are particularly relevant for young people, as they contribute to reducing social vulnerability and promoting opportunities for education, training, and employment. 

Concerning the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022 (NYS), in the thematic pillar of social inclusion the main goals are to promote equality and respect for human rights and to create a culture that encourages social inclusion.

Social inclusion allows all young people to enjoy their social rights freely, regardless of their background. At the same time, it is a dynamic process, which supports all social groups to participate in a dialogue that aims at social peace.

The top priorities for achieving the above goals are the following ones:

• Provide constant information to young people on the rights of groups with fewer opportunities or groups of people who might be threatened with social exclusion.
• Develop actions that contribute to social inclusion and to the participation of young people with fewer opportunities or who are threatened with social exclusion.
• Develop actions that contribute to reducing discrimination among Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth.
• Promote actions for social inclusion and against social exclusion in the school environment.
• Promote actions and programmes that will encourage and develop social participation for groups that are threatened with social exclusion (i.e. through special equipment, structured environment guidelines, etc.).
• Develop creative expression, arts, and foreign language learning as means of diversity, tolerance, and respect.
• Encourage the participation of people with fewer opportunities in mobility programmes for skills and abilities development.

To ensure the achievement of these goals and alignment with the top priorities under this specific thematic pillar, 26 actions were set for implementation, including schemes and plans for supporting youth with disabilities, addressing language barriers and facilitating the social integration for youth with migrant background.

Responsible authority

The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection drafted and submitted to the Cabinet the National Strategy for Migrant Integration for 2026-2029 and it is responsible for its implementation in collaboration with ministries, services and state authorities.

The Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities is responsible for the monitoring of the Revised National Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 for Disability. The plan underscores the government’s commitment to advancing disability rights in terms of accessibility, education and employment and enhancing the quality of life for all individuals with disabilities in Cyprus, with a clear focus on empowering young people to achieve social and economic inclusion. 

Regarding the National Strategy and Action Plan for Autism 2024-2028, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is responsible for the coordination with the support of  ministries, departments and services and involved bodies like the Pancyprian Association for People with Autism which works towards lifelong education and the provision of treatment to children, young people and adults in need.

The top-level authority responsible for the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the Strategy for Social Policy 2022-2027 is the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare (Υφυπουργείο Κοινωνικής Πρόνοιας) and particularly the Social Welfare Services (Υπηρεσίες Κοινωνικής Ευημερίας). The strategy is not integrated into any other national strategy fighting exclusion. So far, there is no publicly available information about evidence-based monitoring/assessment/evaluation of the implementation of the strategy, nor is there clarity on who is involved in the monitoring process.

The national coordinator for the drafting and monitoring of the implementation of the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022 is the Youth Board of Cyprus. For the implementation of the Strategy, a Cross-sectorial Working Group on Youth is established to ensure constant coordination and close cooperation among all governmental institutions that deal with youth issues. The Cross-sectorial Working Group has developed the two 3-year Action Plans (2017-2019 & 2020-2022) which are monitored via regular progress reports coordinated by the Youth Board of Cyprus. According to the First Progress Report of the NYS (2017–2019) (Α’ Έκθεση Προόδου για την υλοποιηση της Εθνικης στρατηγικης για τη νεολαια- Περίοδος Αναφοράς 2017-2019), out of the 26 actions related to young people’s social inclusion, 10 have been implemented, 5 were still in progress and 11 are ongoing without a deadline. The report also documented increased participation of young people in national youth programmes and mobility schemes, with more than 5,000 youth participating in dialogues that informed youth policy and helped shape priorities feeding into the Strategy’s Action Plans. Key initiatives included programmes to promote employment of disabled youth, the development of a new center to host unaccompanied minors, social and language skills training, foster care programmes for minors, and measures to support the inclusion of young people from Third Countries, and targeted initiatives for disadvantaged youth and youth with fewer opportunities. While some measures showed positive results, the final evaluation of the NYS 2017–2022, including a comprehensive assessment of social inclusion outcomes, has not yet been published. 

Revisions/Updates

The Strategy for Social Policy has not undergone major revisions/updates. Implementation continues under the original framework outlined in the Strategy.

The 2nd National Youth Strategy 2030 is expected to succeed the 2017-2022 Strategy in 2026, providing a new framework for youth policy, well-being, and social inclusion in Cyprus.

The Revised National Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 for Disability was adopted in 2024 with no further updates or revisions to this date, same with the National Strategy and Action Plan for Autism 2024-2028.