The collaboration with UCLan Cyprus is focused on the areas of student internships, research and academic expertise, collaboration on events, strengthening each other’s business and pursuing knowledge transfer projects and public outreach.
We look forward to working with the university to enhance our expertise in the areas of democracy, civil society and rule of law and bring increased opportunities to students of the university. We would like to thank Professor Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou for her positive response.
Through its MoU with the EPC, Oxygen for Democracy has become a member of the EPC, allowing for participation in high-level meetings, collaboration on events and exchange of knowledge and experiences in the interest of promoting the organisations’ common values of transparency and democratic governance.
This cooperation also enables us to strengthen the voice of civil society and contribute more actively to shaping policies for a stronger and more participatory democracy in Europe. We would like to thank Amanda Paul and Johannes Greubel for their assistance in making this happen.
In her FastForward interview, Georgina Athanasiou, President of the Board, Oxygen for Democracy, calls for urgent democratic renewal and transparency in Cyprus. Despite growing debate, she warns of backsliding in democracy, rule of law, and press freedom.
Oxygen for Democracy responds with initiatives like the Cyprus Forum, Nomoplatform (the island’s first independent parliamentary tracker), and citizen-focused efforts at local and international levels.
Georgina’s message is clear: real reform goes beyond digital tools; it needs stronger oversight, inclusive policymaking, and reengaged youth. Democracy requires constant care and collective action.
The Cyprus Forum Cities was held for the third consecutive year on 29 and 30 April in Limassol, under the theme “Building the Cities of Tomorrow, Today.”
This year's conference was co-organized by the Limassol Municipality and the Cyprus University of Technology, with the support of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Union of Cyprus Communities, and co-funded by the European Union.
During the opening event on 29 April, a nationwide survey conducted by IMR/University of Nicosia™ on behalf of Oxygen for Democracy was presented.
The survey, conducted in April 2025, shows that ten months after the implementation of the biggest reform in the history of Cypriot local government, citizens remain divided. While the majority acknowledges the necessity of the changes, there is widespread dissatisfaction with both the way the reform has been implemented and its impact.
On the second day of the conference, the discussions focused on pressing topics such as local reform, climate neutrality, electrification, sustainable mobility, urban planning, sustainable cities, and youth participation in local governance.
Among those attending the discussions on the creation of smart cities were Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe; Yannis Armeftis, Mayor of Limassol; Charalambos Prountzos, Mayor of Nicosia; Andreas Vyras, Mayor of Larnaca; Faidonas Faidonos, Mayor of Pafos; as well as technocrats, academics, and civil society representatives from Cyprus and abroad.
The aim of the Cyprus Forum Cities is to identify and promote innovative solutions for a resilient and thriving urban and rural landscape, in line with European standards.
The importance of addressing the ongoing delays in the administration of justice in Cyprus was emphasized at the 4th Annual Conference of the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia’s Faculty of Law.
The symposium, successfully held on December 14, 2024, focused on the topic "Judicial Delays Threatening the Rule of Law." Discussions centered on the delays encountered in the adjudication of cases in Cypriot courts, the current operational framework, and ways to further improve it, while also addressing European standards on judicial independence.
One of the main conclusions from the conference, based on the statements of both Cypriot and foreign speakers, was the need to promote procedures for resolving civil disputes under 10,000 euros through mandatory mediation, as well as establishing a fast-track process for small claims up to 3,000 euros. These proposals are already in the implementation phase by the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee, Mr. Nikos Tornaritis, emphasized that justice must be not only fair but also timely. He assured that the parliament supports every initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness of the judicial system, acting with consistency and responsibility.
The Director of the Judges’ School, Ms. Rea Limnati, highlighted that effective judicial protection is a fundamental principle of the rule of law. She also warned that criticism leading to the discrediting of justice could create dangerous conditions for society.
The Commissioner for Legislation, Ms. Louisa Christodoulidou Zannetou, emphasized that the slow administration of justice effectively undermines justice itself. She pointed out that delays not only undermine the fundamental principle of the rule of law but also violate citizens' right to a fair trial, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution.
The President of the Cyprus Bar Association, Mr. Michalis Vorkas, reiterated the Association's proposals for addressing delays in justice. He placed particular emphasis on the importance of utilizing technology, hiring more staff, and specializing judges.
The event featured speakers such as Mr. Angelos Binis, representing the European Commission, Mr. Tigran Karapetyan on behalf of the Council of Europe, Ms. Theano Mavromoustaki from the Attorney General's Office, and over 20 other lawyers and academics from Cyprus and abroad.
The event featured speakers such as Mr. Angelos Binis, representing the European Commission, Mr. Tigran Karapetyan on behalf of the Council of Europe, Ms. Theano Mavromoustaki from the Attorney General's Office, and over 20 other lawyers and academics from Cyprus and abroad.
A significant part of the Symposium was dedicated to presenting and analyzing a quantitative opinion survey on the quality of civil justice in Cyprus. The survey, conducted by IMR for the third consecutive year, revealed the following:
• The justice system reached its lowest point in 2024, with 47% of participants expressing complete dissatisfaction (40% in 2023, 32% in 2022). Only 19% (21% in 2023, 25% in 2022) stated they were very or somewhat satisfied.
• 27% (24% in 2023, 21% in 2022) of participants stated they were not at all satisfied with the quality of judicial decisions, while 43% (45% in 2023, 48% in 2022) said they were somewhat satisfied.
• The dissatisfaction with the quality of decisions was attributed 39% to delays in issuing decisions, 36% to corruption, and 33% to decisions that were not legally substantiated.
The conference was organized by Oxygen for Democracy, in collaboration with the Procedural Law Unit of the University of Nicosia and under the auspices of the Cyprus Bar Association. The general coordination of the conference was undertaken by Dr. Nikolas Kyriakides, a member of the teaching staff of the University of Nicosia’s Faculty of Law and a lawyer.
The Larnaka StoryFest is a new festival dedicated to celebrating stories and fostering connections among people, aiming to create a dynamic space for communication, networking, and the exchange of ideas.
The event invites everyday individuals to share their unique narratives, fostering inspiration, collaboration, and a sense of community.
Organized by Innoeusphere and Oxygen for Democracy—two organizations committed to promoting innovation and inclusivity—the festival focuses on broad participation, moving away from traditional event structures that feature only professional presenters. Its goal is to enhance interaction and develop a vibrant community that inspires and supports new initiatives.
Through networking sessions and collaborative opportunities, the Larnaka StoryFest paves the way for new experiences and connections, showcasing the transformative power of stories to enrich and empower the community.
As part of the European project metaCCAZE, NextBike’s new fleet of electric bikes was inaugurated.
This innovative initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and dependence on private vehicles by promoting electric, automated, and connected transport solutions for both passengers and goods.
Oxygen for Democracy, as a partner of the metaCCAZE project, actively supports initiatives that improve quality of life and foster sustainable development. The transition to greener transport is not only an environmental necessity but also a step towards a more democratic, accessible, and sustainable society.
The official event took place on Thursday, January 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Molos, Limassol. The event was attended by the Mayor of the city, Mr. Yannis Armeftis.
The project is funded by the European programme "Horizon Europe," under the "Climate, Energy, and Mobility" pillar, with the aim of creating a greener and more sustainable future for all.
The event was co-organized by Limassol Municipality, MaasLab, NextBike, Oxygen for Democracy, and EMEL.
With actions like this, Limassol can be transformed into a city with less pollution and more freedom of movement for all!
The Cyprus Forum was held for the fifth consecutive year on 3 and 4 October 2024 at the Old Town Hall of Nicosia and the Ledra Palace. This year, the conference was co-organised by Oxygen for Democracy in collaboration with the Delphi Economic Forum and the University of Cyprus, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic.
The discussions at this year's forum focused on Democracy and the Rule of Law, Foreign Policy, Peacekeeping, Sustainability, and Technology and Innovation. The aim of the co-organisers was to highlight issues related to United Nations Goal 16, within the broader context of the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.
Στο πλαίσιο της φετινής διοργάνωσης αναδείχθηκαν καίρια ζητήματα όπως οι εξουσίες του Γενικού Εισαγγελέα, ο πληθωρισμός, το μεταναστευτικό, οι προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζει η ΕΕ στον τομέα της ασφάλειας, οι προοπτικές ενδυνάμωσης της δημοκρατίας μέσω του AI, καθώς και η ανάπτυξη της κυπριακής οικονομίας μέσω ξένων επενδύσεων. Συζητήθηκε επίσης το διαπραγματευτικό μέλλον του Κυπριακού, οι προσπάθειες συνεργασίας των δύο κοινοτήτων, αλλά και οι συνθήκες που επικρατούν στο γεωπολιτικό τρίγωνο Ελλάδας-Κύπρου-Τουρκίας.
The scientific curation of the discussions was handled by knowledge partners from both Cyprus and abroad, including the European Policy Centre, ELIAMEP, the Cyprus Economic Society, Transparency International, the Atlantic Council, the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs, the University of York Department of Politics, PRIO, the Eastern Mediterranean Project at Oxford, the World Bank, the EU Tax Observatory, and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, among others.
Εξαιρετικά σημαντική ήταν η συμβολή όλων των ομιλητών/τριών, τόσο από την Κύπρο όσο και από το εξωτερικό, οι οποίοι προβλημάτισαν, και προσέφεραν νέες ιδέες και εισηγήσεις για τις προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζει ο πολιτικός, οικονομικός και κοινωνικός βίος της Κύπρου.
More information about the conference can be found HERE.
The purpose of the program "Cyprus Forum 2024 - Policymaking Redefined" is to organize a political conference that aims to highlight significant political issues, with the participation of politicians, technocrats, academics, and other specialists from various fields.
The conference will serve as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas, seeking to bring together different perspectives and approaches to challenges facing Cyprus and Europe. Through speeches, panels, and workshops, participants will have the opportunity to delve into critical topics such as social justice, economic development, education, healthcare, and climate change.
The participation of politicians and experts from various sectors will allow for the development of innovative solutions and policy proposals that address societal needs. The conference will also provide a unique networking opportunity for attendees, encouraging them to collaborate and create strategic alliances to promote common goals.
Additionally, the program includes educational activities designed to empower participants' skills in policy production. Workshops will be offered to develop skills such as public speaking, public discourse management, and participation in decision-making processes.
Through the organization of the conference, "Cyprus Forum 2024" also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of political participation and the democratic process. Awareness-raising activities, such as events and informational campaigns, will be combined with the conference to mobilize and encourage citizens' participation in decision-making that affects them.
The program is funded by the European Union, supporting efforts to create a more democratic and participatory political environment in Cyprus.
The purpose of the program "PoliCY Talks - Promoting Democratic Values through Podcasting" is to create and produce podcast episodes aimed at informing citizens, with a particular emphasis on young people, about important political and social issues.
The program aims to promote democratic values and political participation through the innovative use of podcasting as a communication tool. Through a series of thematic episodes, participants will have the opportunity to listen to and engage in discussions concerning critical issues such as human rights, equality, transparency in governance, and citizen participation in political processes.
The episodes will include interviews with politicians, academics, and representatives of civil society, who will share their knowledge and experiences regarding the challenges facing democracy today. Through these conversations, listeners will be encouraged to think critically, engage actively, and take action to improve their societies.
"PoliCY Talks" also aims to raise awareness among young people about the importance of political participation and being informed, highlighting the role that everyone can play in promoting democratic values. Through the podcasts, young individuals will have the chance to express their own opinions and proposals, actively participating in public discourse.
The program is funded by the European Solidarity Corps, which supports initiatives that promote social inclusion, active participation of young people, and the empowerment of civil society in Europe.
