George Isaia

The project Civic Space in Action: Youth, Civil Society and the EU’s Global Role is implemented under the EUPP5 Small Grants Scheme and aims to strengthen civic space and democratic participation in Cyprus. Through awareness-raising actions, training activities, and public dialogue initiatives, the project seeks to empower civil society organisations and young people to actively engage in democratic processes and promote European values in public discourse.

The project will include public discussions, capacity-building workshops on participatory democracy and Global Citizenship Education, and networking activities bringing together civil society organisations, youth representatives, policymakers, and media professionals. In addition, communication outputs such as videos, podcasts, and media articles will help explain the European Union’s global role and make complex civic issues more accessible to wider audiences.

Through these actions, the project is expected to strengthen the knowledge and skills of participants in civic participation and democratic engagement, foster cooperation among civil society actors, and create new spaces for dialogue between citizens and institutions. Ultimately, the initiative will contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and resilient civic space in Cyprus, reinforcing the connection between local democratic participation, European values, and global challenges.

The project P.O.V. EkfraCY – Participation Of Voices through EkfraCY is implemented under the Erasmus+ programme and aims to strengthen youth democratic participation through the EkfraCY digital platform. The platform was launched in Cyprus in 2024 to connect young people with policy-makers and allow them to share ideas, opinions, and proposals on issues affecting their lives. The project focuses on ensuring the sustainability and further development of the platform while empowering young people to influence public policies at both national and European levels.

As part of the project, the platform will be technically upgraded with new digital and inclusive participation tools. Six thematic consultations will be organised, addressing topics such as housing, employment, the green transition, digital skills, social inclusion, and mental health. In addition, training workshops will be delivered for young people and youth workers, while a large youth participation event will bring together young citizens, policy-makers, and representatives of civil society.

The project will involve young people aged 16–35 from diverse backgrounds, with particular attention given to those with fewer opportunities. Through these activities, participants will contribute to the development of policy recommendations while strengthening their digital, civic, and social competences. In the long term, the EkfraCY platform aims to become a recognised model of digital youth participation, strengthening trust in democratic institutions and fostering meaningful dialogue between citizens and decision-makers.

The project PoliCY 101: From Ancient Civilizations to Modern Democracy is implemented under the Erasmus+ programme and aims to strengthen young people’s civic literacy and democratic participation. Through a series of educational activities, the project helps young people understand the evolution of political systems, from ancient civilizations to modern democratic governance. Its objective is to make complex concepts such as democracy, governance, and citizenship more accessible and engaging for young citizens.

Throughout the project, eleven interactive seminars will explore topics such as the origins of democracy, comparative political systems, citizenship, the rule of law, human rights, and the institutions of the European Union. The activities will rely on non-formal learning methods, including discussions, simulations, workshops, and collaborative exercises, encouraging young participants to develop skills in critical thinking, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Approximately 110 young people aged 16–30 are expected to participate in the project’s activities, with particular attention given to including young people with fewer opportunities. Through their participation, young people will gain a deeper understanding of democratic institutions, strengthen their ability to engage in public dialogue, and become more active and informed citizens in their communities and across Europe.

The project Cyprus Forum Cities 2026: Youth Voices on Democracy and Europe is implemented under the Erasmus+ programme and aims to strengthen youth participation in democratic life. The initiative focuses on empowering young people in Cyprus to actively engage in public debate, particularly in the context of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the national elections in 2026. By creating inclusive spaces for dialogue and learning, the project seeks to enhance young people’s understanding of democratic processes and strengthen their connection with decision-makers.

The flagship activity of the project will be the Cyprus Forum Cities 2026 event in Limassol, which will bring together around 100 young people aged 16–30 to discuss topics such as democracy, civic participation, the EU Presidency, and national elections. Preparatory workshops and capacity-building activities will take place before the event, while follow-up actions will focus on developing youth-led policy recommendations to be shared with institutions and stakeholders.

The project is expected to enhance young people’s civic knowledge, develop skills such as critical thinking, debate, and teamwork, and encourage their active engagement in democratic processes. Through the dissemination of its outcomes and youth policy proposals, the initiative will contribute to strengthening trust in democratic institutions and promoting a culture of participatory dialogue at local, national, and European levels.

The JUST-IN (Justice-in-Context) project is a research initiative funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme and will run for 36 months. The project addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing Europe today: safeguarding judicial independence and the rule of law by examining how these principles operate in the everyday practices of national judicial systems. The project brings together an international consortium of universities, research institutes, and civil society organisations from across Europe.

JUST-IN develops an innovative bottom-up approach to better understand how judicial independence functions in practice. Through socio-legal research, case-law analysis and participatory processes, the project will establish Citizens’ Observatories of Judicial Independence, gathering perspectives and data from judges, lawyers, public officials, civil society actors and court users. At the same time, advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence tools will be used to analyse emerging challenges affecting courts and judicial governance.

The findings of the project will contribute to the creation of the Embedded Judicial Independence Tracker (EJIT), a digital platform that will provide reliable and up-to-date data on the state of judicial independence across Europe. By generating new knowledge and evidence, the project aims to strengthen EU rule-of-law monitoring, foster cooperation among judicial systems, and support policy development that protects democratic institutions and the independence of the judiciary.

The Parliamentary Transparency and Civic Engagement: A Cross-Border Exchange between Cyprus and Greece (PACT-GR-CY) project is implemented under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA210-ADU – Small-Scale Partnerships in Adult Education). It aims to enhance parliamentary transparency and strengthen citizens’ participation in democratic life. Through the collaboration between Oxygen for Democracy (Cyprus) and Vouliwatch (Greece), the project promotes the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and experiences in accountability, participation, and institutional transparency.

Throughout the project, two study visits will take place – one in Cyprus and one in Greece – bringing together engaged citizens, journalists, researchers, and civil society actors. Participants will have the opportunity to explore parliamentary procedures, meet with Members of Parliament and policymakers, and take part in workshops and discussions on legislative transparency and citizen engagement.

The project will conclude with a joint policy report containing recommendations for the Cypriot and Greek parliaments to enhance transparency and public participation. Through this cross-border cooperation, PACT-GR-CY seeks to foster a more open, participatory, and accountable democracy in both countries.

Cyprus Forum: Brussels is an international dialogue platform that takes place in Brussels, offering young people the opportunity to contribute to discussions on the future of the European Union and Cyprus' upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event brings together youth delegates, policymakers, academics, and EU officials to reflect on key challenges and priorities at the European level through the lens of youth participation.

The forum focuses on topics such as Cyprus’ role in the EU, intergenerational dialogue, the green and digital transitions, and democratic participation across member states. Through panel conversations, policy labs, and interactive exchanges, young participants share ideas and expectations about Cyprus' European agenda, while also learning from institutional representatives and policy practitioners.

Cyprus Forum: Brussels contributes to a more inclusive European discourse, ensuring that young people are not only heard but are actively involved in shaping the future of the Union. It fosters connections between Cypriot and European stakeholders, strengthening both the visibility and the relevance of youth perspectives in EU policymaking.

Cyprus Forum 2025: Youth Voices in Policy and Peacebuilding is a two-day conference that takes place in Nicosia, aiming to elevate the role of young people in public discourse, policymaking, and efforts toward sustainable peace. With the participation of high-profile speakers from Cyprus, Europe, and beyond, the event serves as a vibrant platform for dialogue between youth, institutional leaders, civil society, and international experts.

The forum focuses on key themes such as youth participation in democratic processes, conflict resolution, trust-building between communities, and inclusive governance. Through panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, young people have the space to express their views, connect with decision-makers, and propose concrete policy recommendations that reflect their aspirations for a united and peaceful future.

Cyprus Forum 2025 highlights the importance of empowering the next generation of changemakers and promoting intercommunal understanding. By bridging voices across divides and fostering inclusive dialogue, the initiative contributes to a culture of democratic participation and peacebuilding that transcends borders and generations.

Cyprus Forum Cities 2025 is a policy-making conference held in Limassol, aiming to strengthen the involvement of young people in local governance and democratic processes. Organised in collaboration with the Municipality of Limassol, the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) and the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK), the event brought together local authorities, experts, academics, and active citizens to explore innovative ways of civic participation at the local level.

The conference provided a platform for meaningful dialogue through panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities. It focused on pressing issues such as youth engagement in municipal decision-making, participatory tools for urban policy, and the role of education and civic literacy in shaping more inclusive communities. Through these activities, young people had the opportunity to express their views, share proposals, and connect with decision-makers.

Cyprus Forum Cities 2025 contributes to building a culture of participation and transparency in local governance, where young citizens are not only consulted but actively involved in shaping the future of their cities. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that sustainable democracy begins at the local level—with informed, empowered, and engaged citizens.

The TransparenCY project is a bicommunal initiative designed to strengthen democratic governance in Cyprus by promoting transparency, accountability, and civic participation in the legislative process. Led by the Global Policies Centre (GLOPOL) and Oxygen for Democracy, and supported by the European Union under the PLACE in Cyprus Small Grants Programme, the project brings together actors from across the island to improve how laws are shaped and communicated to the public.

TransparenCY focuses on enhancing openness in policymaking through advocacy efforts, evidence-based research, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. By empowering civil society and encouraging public scrutiny, the project contributes to building trust in institutions and ensuring that legislative processes are more accessible and reflective of citizens’ concerns.

Through its activities, the initiative fosters dialogue between civil society, journalists, academics, and policymakers, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices for legislative transparency. It aims to create long-term impact by promoting a more open, inclusive, and participatory democratic culture in Cyprus.