Month: January 2026

Youth Innovators at the upcoming EPIC Final Conferenceand Hackathon

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 31/01/2026. Posted in Project News.

A celebration of youth-driven social innovation is set to take place at the upcoming EPIC Final Conference and Hackathon. This landmark event marks the culmination of the Entrepreneurial Citizenship for Social Change project, bringing together young social entrepreneurs, youth workers, and industry experts to showcase sustainable solutions to pressing community challenges across the Western Balkans.

The social innovation Hackathon Final
The highlight of the event will be the highly anticipated Hackathon Final. After months of intensive capacity-building using the newly developed EPIC Curriculum and Toolkits, teams of young innovators will take the stage to pitch their social business models to a panel of experts. These youth-led initiatives, deeply rooted in the European EntreComp framework, aim to tackle local social and environmental issues. The hackathon will demonstrate the participants’ journey from identifying community problems to designing actionable, sustainable ventures using tools like the Social Business Model Canvas.

Reflecting on Impact
In addition to the live pitches, the Final Conference will serve as a platform to reflect on the successful pilot implementations in Kosovo, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stakeholders will discuss how the initiative successfully bridged the gap between social work and entrepreneurial action, empowering dozens of youth and youth workers, even in regions lacking formal legal frameworks for social enterprises.

Key Event highlights:

Live pitching sessions: Young entrepreneurs present their innovative social ventures.
Impact panels: Expert discussions on the outcomes and future of social entrepreneurship training in the Western Balkans.
Networking opportunities: A collaborative space connecting youth workers, young leaders, policymakers, and potential investors.

Join the Conference
Stakeholders, youth workers, youth, and the public are invited to attend this dynamic event to support the next generation of socially responsible leaders and explore opportunities for cross sector collaboration.

Event details:
Date: 17/02/2026
Time: 10:00
Location: HomeWork Hub, Sarajevo

More information about the project is available at: https://epic-project.eu/

Closing Event of the “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” Project Highlights Progress in Strengthening Youth Mental Health Resilience

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 28/01/2026. Posted in Project News.

The Closing Event of the project “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” took place on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at CARDET’s premises in Nicosia, marking the successful completion of a 26-month EU-funded initiative. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, UNICEF, national and local authorities, youth organisations, professionals, and young people to reflect on the project’s outcomes and future perspectives.

Implemented with the technical support of the European Commission (SG REFORM), UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health in Cyprus, and in close cooperation with national stakeholders such as the Cyprus Youth Council, the Youth Board of Cyprus, CARDET, the Municipality of Lakatamia, and the Municipality of Kourion, the project aimed to strengthen youth mental health promotion and prevention, while enhancing meaningful youth participation in policymaking in Cyprus.

Addressing participants, Mrs Maria Evangelou, Officer of Nursing Services, on behalf of Mr Evagoras Tampouris, Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health, reflected on the project’s long-term relevance, stating: “Although the project is coming to an end, its impact remains alive, offering practical tools and approaches that will continue to strengthen the mental resilience of young people in Cyprus”.

In a video-recorded message, Mrs Judith Rozsa, Director at SG REFORM of the European Commission, highlighted the project’s European significance: “This project is a prime example of how EU funding can support Member States in building capacity across sectors to address healthy lifestyles and prevent mental health problems among youth and children”.

From UNICEF’s perspective, Mrs Aida Ailarova, Adolescent Development Specialist, UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, representing Mr Octavian Bivol, Deputy Director of UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, emphasised the importance of sustainability and cross-sectoral collaboration, noting: “Youth mental health is fundamental for resilient and sustainable societies. This project has highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and meaningful youth participation, laying strong foundations for long-term, sustainable interventions in Cyprus”.

Representing the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK), Mrs Glykeria Kalamata, on behalf of Mrs Maria Miltiadou, Deputy Executive Director, underscored the central role of young people throughout the project’s implementation, stating: “Through this project, young people were given a voice to shape mental health services and contribute meaningfully to the National Youth Strategy”.

Project Achievements and Youth Engagement

During the session “Project Achievements and Journey – Key Outcomes, Milestones, and Impact Highlights”, Dr Charalambos Vrasidas, Executive Director of CARDET, presented the project’s main achievements, including participatory research processes, youth-informed policy tools, and strengthened multi-stakeholder cooperation.

“CARDET, working closely with all partners, actively supported the design and implementation of participatory processes that placed young people at the center. This project demonstrates that research, innovation, and community engagement can lead to tangible and actionable policy changes”.

This was followed by a panel discussion titled “Youth Voices: Experiences and Perspectives”, featuring contributions from Maria Diplarou, President of the Cyprus Youth Council; Maria Peyioti, Psychiatry Resident and Chair of the Health Committee of the 6th Youth Parliament (2023–2024) and Andreas Panayiotou, Podcaster and project workshop participant. Moderated by Nikolas Athinis, Youth, Rights, and Inclusion Team Leader at CARDET, the discussion highlighted lived experiences, stigma reduction, and the need for accessible, youth-friendly mental health services.

A Firechat session titled “Youth & Municipalities: Young People Ask, Municipalities Reply!” followed, with the participation of Michalis Xypsitis, Deputy Mayor of Tseri (representing the Municipality of Lakatamia), and Valentina Michael, Chief Executive Secretary of the Municipality of Kourion. Moderated by Andreas Panayiotou, the session facilitated direct dialogue between young people and local authorities.

Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Mrs Anahit Minassian, Youth Mental Health Technical Support Coordinator at UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, outlined key outcomes achieved in Cyprus, including the adoption of a National Mental Health Strategy developed in close cooperation with young people, the prioritisation of mental health within the National Youth Strategy 2030, the introduction of a dedicated budget line for youth engagement, and the launch of the first National Campaign on Youth Mental Health. As she noted, “This initiative demonstrates how meaningful youth participation can translate into lasting policy and systemic change”.

Mr Alexandros Tifas, Mental Health Nursing Officer at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the human-centred nature of the initiative, stating: “This was not just a project of deliverables, but a shared journey that brought us closer to the real needs of young people”.

On behalf of the European Commission, Ms Hana Lucić, Policy Officer at SG REFORM, expressed her warm regards to all partners and remarked: “The commitment and collaboration demonstrated serve as an excellent example of how reform initiatives can achieve real social impact”.

The Closing Event of the “Supporting Mental Health Resilience among Youth in Cyprus” project reaffirmed the shared commitment of all stakeholders to ensure that youth mental health remains a policy priority, embedded sustainably across health, social, educational, and community systems in Cyprus.

Learn more about the project and find available the report: https://cardet.org/projects/supporting-mental-health-resilience-among-youth-in-cyprus/

EUPP5 Launched to Strengthen Civil Society Engagement During Cyprus’ EU Presidency

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 27/01/2026. Posted in Project News.

The EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5) was launched in Nicosia on Friday 23 January, bringing policymakers and civil society representatives together to discuss how democratic participation and civic space can be strengthened ahead of Cyprus’ 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The launch event, hosted at the Presidential Palace and organised by CARDET in cooperation with the Commissioner for the Citizen, positioned the initiative as part of Cyprus’ national-level preparations for the Presidency and a wider European effort to reinforce democratic legitimacy and citizen participation in policymaking.

A platform for dialogue between civil society and policymakers

Dr Charalambos Vrasidas, Executive Director of CARDET, described EUPP5 as “an opportunity for dialogue” between civil society and policymakers at a time when democratic participation is being tested across Europe. He said the project sits within broader efforts to strengthen democracy and the role of civil society, while also supporting national-level public debate in Cyprus.

Dr Vrasidas said CARDET is coordinating EUPP5 in Cyprus, highlighting the organisation’s more than two decades of experience, its partner network, and its emphasis on programmes based on empirical evidence.

“Citizens want institutions that work”

Commissioner for the Citizen, Mr Panayiotis Palates framed the discussion around a broader crisis of confidence. He argued that democracy is going through repeated crises and that the primary failure is political, rather than societal.

“Citizens are not asking for ideologies,” Mr Palates said, but for “a state that functions, institutions that work, and politics that does not shout.” He said organised civil society has a role in proposing workable solutions that make citizen participation more decisive in decision-making processes.

What EUPP5 includes
Introducing the project, Dr Marinos Papaioakeim, Strategic Partnerships and Development Lead at CARDET, said democracy cannot be limited to the ballot box and outlined EUPP5’s practical components.

He said the project is coordinated at European level by CONCORD, with a focus on democracy and sustainable development, and includes:

a small grants scheme for civil society initiatives
skills development workshops
educational visits to Brussels to engage with EU institutions
policy papers on digital democracy and sustainability
a planned Euro-Mediterranean NGO conference in April and
a series of open dialogues.

EU Presidency priorities and the wider context

Ambassador Mrs Theodora Konstantinidou, speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ms. Marilena Raouna, presented Cyprus’ EU Presidency priorities as taking place in what she described as one of the most demanding periods in modern European history, referencing Ukraine, the Middle East, transatlantic relations, and migration. She said Cyprus’ overarching goal is to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy, through:

Security, defence, and preparedness, including continued support to Ukraine and improved strategic mobility.
Competitiveness through investment, innovation, and reduced bureaucracy.
An “autonomous Union open to the world”, including enlargement in line with international law and stronger relations with the Middle East, Gulf, and southern neighbourhood.
A values-based agenda focused on leaving no citizen behind, with emphasis on everyday pressures such as housing affordability, energy costs, and youth protection in the digital environment.

CONCORD: civil society facing a “new reality”

In a keynote video message, Mrs Tanya Cox, Director of CONCORD Europe, pointed to growing pressure on civil society globally, including the impact of new US government policies, funding cuts in Europe, and restrictions on civic space beyond financing.

Mrs Cox described 2025 as an inflection point and warned of a shift away from evidence-based policymaking. She said civil society organisations may need to make fundamental decisions about how they operate, including rethinking funding dependence, becoming more strategically oriented, and adapting communications to reach broader audiences. She also highlighted debates within civil society around decolonisation and localisation, shifting power to partners and building more resilient organisations capable of operating in a more volatile geopolitical environment.

Roundtable discussions on participation, rule of law, youth, and access to information

A roundtable discussion on participatory democracy and democratic space brought together speakers from civil society, academia, and youth structures, including George Isaia (Oxygen for Democracy), Dr Christina Hatzisotiriou (Institute of Studies for Policy and Democracy), Prof Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou (CRoLEV, UCLan Cyprus), Christos Parmakkis (Cyprus Youth Representative, Congress of the Council of Europe), and Dr Dionysos Alexiou (Foundation for Parliamentarism and Participatory Democracy, House of Representatives).

Participants highlighted that formal participation mechanisms exist in Cyprus, including online platforms and opportunities to comment on draft laws but raised concerns over their limited impact and the risk of participation becoming bureaucratic without shaping outcomes.

Prof Laulhé Shaelou underlined that democratic participation is inseparable from the rule of law, arguing that without independent justice, transparent institutions and accountability, rights protection cannot be sustained.

Youth participation was discussed as being constrained by cost-of-living pressures and housing insecurity, with proposals including stronger civic education, structured youth involvement in decision-making, and lowering the minimum age to stand for election from 21 to 18.

Access to information was repeatedly raised as a structural barrier, alongside the need for more transparent public communication and earlier public involvement when drafting legislation, in line with “better regulation” principles.

The project “Towards an open, fair and sustainable Europe in the world – EU Presidency Project 2024-2026” is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Global Focus, Grupa Zagranica, CARDET, and CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs working on sustainable development and international cooperation. Project Number: 2024 / 459-484. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of CARDET and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

To learn more about the EUPP5, please visit: https://cardet.org/eupp5/

This article was published at the Policy Press.

INFINITE Project Launches First Classroom Implementations in Cyprus

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 21/01/2026. Posted in Project News.

The INFINITE project successfully launched its first classroom implementations in Cyprus in December 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project’s rollout and impact. The implementations were delivered through close collaboration between UNIC and CARDET, the partners responsible for the national rollout, with Global College piloting the student-focused blended course.

The pilot engaged a cohort of 52 participants, including 50 higher education students and two higher education teachers, Giorgos and Leonidas. Through a series of hands-on activities, participants explored key topics such as AI literacy, ethical use of artificial intelligence, and its practical applications in learning. The implementations aimed to strengthen students’ digital readiness and build their confidence to navigate an increasingly AI-driven academic and professional landscape.

Beyond classroom delivery, the pilots generated valuable insights that will support the continuous improvement and sustainability of the INFINITE project. To ensure alignment with project objectives and ongoing development, the course was evaluated through verbal feedback and an online survey. The evaluation contributed robust qualitative and quantitative data, informing the refinement of the training materials and guiding future implementations.

These first classroom pilots represent an important step in advancing the INFINITE project’s mission to equip higher education learners with the skills and awareness needed to engage critically and responsibly with artificial intelligence.

The INFINITE – artificial intelligence For professional and pedagogical practices in Higher Education aims to make the best use of AI for teaching, learning and assessment in Higher Education (HE).

Learn more about the project here: https://infinite-erasmus.eu/

Turning MILES Learning into Classroom Action

Written by Veronica Charalambous on 12/01/2026. Posted in Project News.

As we have already stepped into 2026, one thing has become clear: the challenges young people face online aren’t slowing down. Over the past months, the MILES partnership has focused on teacher trainings and webinars to strengthen skills around disinformation, fake news, prebunking and AI-driven manipulation. January was about the next leap forward. Putting learning into practice, and making it easy for educators to do so.

From “knowing” to “doing” in the classroom

Many teachers tell the same thing, students encounter misinformation every day, but classroom time is limited. Educators want practical ways to address disinformation that are realistic, adaptable, and engaging, without needing an extra subject or an entirely new curriculum. That is why MILES is currently focusing on a crucial bridge phase: co-design workshops with teachers.

Co-design workshops: building materials with teachers

Rather than developing resources in isolation, MILES partners are working directly with educators to shape what the student phase will look like. In these co-design sessions, teachers and partners collaborate to develop and refine student-facing learning activities that can be implemented across different school subjects and age groups. The workshops help partners and teachers, identify what students struggle with most (and what they overestimate) translate media literacy concepts into concrete classroom activities adapt exercises to local realities, languages, and teaching formats shape materials so they are easy to use, repeat, and scale

This is where MILES becomes truly classroom-ready, not only offering knowledge about disinformation, but creating tools that help students practise critical thinking as a habit.

Preparing the student toolbox

The outcome of this co-design phase is the preparation of the MILES Student Toolbox: a growing collection of structured activities and resources that will support upcoming student workshops in schools across the partner countries. These materials are designed to help students actively practise skills such as 1. Questioning Sources, 2. Intent Recognising manipulation tactics and emotional triggers reflecting on how AI-generated content can blur trust discussing information respectfully without falling into cynicism

Teachers’ feedback at this stage is essential. It ensures the toolbox will be practical, engaging, and aligned with how learning actually happens in real classrooms.

What’s next In the coming months, the co-designed materials will be implemented and tested through student workshops. These classroom experiences will also feed back into the toolbox, helping MILES project refines what works best and share approaches that can be adopted more widely.

👉 Follow the project and explore MILES platform here: https://platform-miles.erasmusplus.website/