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1. Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

Main inclusive Youth-Work programmes and target groups

Youth work in Cyprus, encompasses a broad spectrum of non‑formal and informal learning activities focusing on social inclusion. In practice, it includes national and European programmes like the Youth Initiatives Funding Schemes and other EU-funded programmes.

The main inclusive youth-work programme at national level is the Youth Initiatives Funding Scheme  of the Youth Board of Cyprus. The Youth Initiatives scheme grant activities established by young people and organised youth organisations. One of the programme’s priorities is called  ‘Social interventions’ and covers, among others, Prevention, Social Discrimination, Health and Well-Being, Youth and Sport, and Social Contribution Actions. This priority aims at empowering young people with fewer opportunities. At the same time, another priority of the programme is called  ‘Bi-communal Youth Contacts’ which aims at strengthening contacts between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots, aiming at the joint reflection and setting common goals for the future of the place.

Given this, the Youth Initiatives Programme target youth in general and specifically youth with fewer opportunities and Turkish Cypriot youth. Targeted young people may participate in the design and delivery of these main inclusive youth work programmes if they decide to apply for a funding through a non-governmental organization. The public funding allocated to the Youth Initiatives Programme for 2025 was €500 000, with 299 awarded projects including the implementation of conferences, cultural activities and educational excursions.

Youth work takes place in many different forms and setting by various organisations, the majority of which are NGOs. There are numerous NGOs in Cyprus that implement youth work activities and projects with a focus on social inclusion. A representative example is the Cyprus Youth Clubs Organisation (ΚΟΚΕΝ), which coordinates a wide network of youth clubs operating in both urban and rural areas in Cyprus. Beyond recreational activities, the organisation implements European-funded initiatives aimed at engaging young people with fewer opportunities. One concrete example is the project ‘Have Your Say! Engage, Connect, Empower Youth!’, which promotes active citizenship and democratic participation among young people who may face geographical, social or economic barriers. Through non-formal learning workshops, dialogue activities and community engagement initiatives, the project strengthens young people’s voice, inclusion, and sense of belonging within society. Further examples of NGO-led projects addressing social exclusion can be found on the website of the Foundation for the Management of European Lifelong Learning Programmes (National Agency of Erasmus+ in Cyprus) and the EU Project Results Platform.