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Month: April 2026

Podcast – Civil society in Cyprus: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward

Written by Veronica Charalambous on . Posted in Blog.

Civil society in Cyprus is at a pivotal moment, balancing persistent structural challenges with emerging opportunities for meaningful impact. In a recent discussion on the Policy Talks podcast, Marinos Papaioakeim, Strategic Partnerships and Development Lead at CARDET, and Nadia Karayianni, Head of Business Development at CARDET, offer a nuanced assessment of the sector’s current landscape and future trajectory.

One of the key challenges identified is the limited institutional capacity and fragmented nature of civil society organisations, which often constrains their ability to influence policy-making effectively. Issues such as restricted funding streams, administrative burdens, and varying levels of public trust further complicate the operating environment. Despite these barriers, there is a growing recognition of the vital role civil society plays in fostering democratic participation and social cohesion.

At the same time, opportunities for growth are becoming increasingly evident. Enhanced collaboration between organisations, greater access to European funding mechanisms, and a gradual shift toward more participatory governance models are creating space for civil society to expand its influence. Strengthening civic engagement—particularly among younger generations—is highlighted as a critical factor in shaping more inclusive and responsive public policies.

A notable initiative discussed is the EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), a civil society-driven effort funded by the European Commission and implemented during the EU Council Presidency Trio of Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus (October 2024 – September 2026). The project aims to empower civil society actors, build capacity, and promote active involvement in decision-making processes at both national and European levels.

Looking ahead, the evolution of civil society in Cyprus will depend on sustained investment in capacity-building, stronger cross-sector partnerships, and a continued commitment to participatory dialogue. While progress is underway, the pace and depth of change will ultimately determine whether civil society can fully realise its potential as a driver of inclusive governance.

Watch the full podcast here.

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. 

CARDET Perma-Digital series of teachers training

Empowering Primary Educators in Cyprus to Foster Digital Wellbeing through PERMA-Digital

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

CARDET along with our partners from the Institute of Development and INNOVADE LI, have successfully delivered a series of training sessions focused on promoting digital wellbeing within and beyond school environments, grounded in the PERMA-Digital model.

A total of 56 primary education teachers and school staff from six schools across Cyprus participated in the trainings. The initiative addressed the increasingly relevant topic of digital wellbeing, equipping educators with practical tools and pedagogical approaches that can be directly applied in the classroom.

The training programme was structured across four sessions, covering:

  • An introduction to digital wellbeing and the PERMA-Digital framework, which integrates principles of positive psychology with the European DigComp and LifeComp frameworks
  • Practical ways to embed PERMA principles into teaching through digital tools and classroom activities
  • A whole-school approach to digital wellbeing, including the development of school vision and community engagement
  • The ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Suno, and NotebookLM in educational practice

Participants highlighted the relevance of the topic, the usefulness of the tools presented, and the value of exchanging ideas through interactive and collaborative activities.

The training series was recognised with the All Digital Weeks 2026 Award in the category of “Digital Wellbeing”.

Following the completion of the trainings, the project now moves into its next phase, where educators will implement the PERMA-Digital approach in their classrooms. Through this “learning by doing” methodology, teachers will work with their students to apply the principles in practice, monitor progress, and foster measurable improvements in students’ digital wellbeing.

To learn more about the project and all the updates visit its website.

EDUwell kick off meeting in Brussels

Future-Proofing Education: The EDU-WELL Project Officially Kicks Off in Brussels

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of EDU-WELL, a transformative three-year digital initiative dedicated to Ethical & Interoperable Data Exchange for Well-Being and Learning. On April 7th and 8th, project partners gathered at the KMOP Policy Center in Brussels to set the wheels in motion for this ambitious journey.

Laying the Foundation

Led by KMOP Policy Centre, Brussels, the two-day kick-off meeting focused on aligning the consortium’s vision for a digital ecosystem where data serves the holistic needs of learners while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

The sessions dove deep into the project’s core technical and strategic pillars:

  • Data Ethics & Frameworks: ETHOS led discussions on WP2, focusing on the key decisions and structures required for ethical data exchange.
  • Logic & Integration: Partners HEADWAY and KMOP Policy Centre outlined the interconnected logic between WP3 and WP4, ensuring a seamless flow from theoretical frameworks to practical outputs.
  • Visibility & Impact: EMPHASYS unveiled the draft visual identity and logo proposals, sparking collaborative discussions on how to best communicate EDU-WELL’s mission to the wider educational community.

What’s Next?

Beyond the technical architecture, the meeting established robust coordination tools and financial guidelines to ensure the project’s long-term sustainability. As we move forward, the immediate focus shifts to:

  • Finalizing the Dissemination Plan and project visual identity.
  • Executing short-term priorities within WP2 (Data Exchange).
  • Strengthening partner contributions to ensure a diverse, multi-disciplinary approach to digital well-being.

Stay tuned as we begin this three-year mission to bridge the gap between digital innovation and student well-being!

Digital Harmony TPM3 Poland

Digital Harmony Project Advances with Successful 3rd Transnational Partners Meeting in Poland

Written by Nikolina Frangoullidou on . Posted in Project News.

The 3rd Transnational Partners Meeting of the Digital Harmony project, held in Poland, marked another important milestone for the initiative, bringing together partners in a collaborative and highly productive environment. 

Building on this strong momentum, the partnership is now moving forward with the implementation of the fourth and fifth work packages. A key focus of this next phase is the active engagement of schools, which are warmly invited to collaborate in upcoming Intergenerational Training and After-School Projects.

As part of its commitment to capacity building, the Digital Harmony project will deliver specialized training sessions tailored for students, older adults, and teachers. These sessions aim to foster “digital harmony” by bridging generational gaps, enhancing digital skills, and promoting student well-being.

By joining this international consortium, schools will have the opportunity to participate in innovative workshops and benefit from high-quality training materials designed to strengthen connections between generations and support inclusive, well-balanced digital education environments.

The meeting was characterized by a friendly atmosphere and constructive exchanges, enabling all partners to present clear updates on project management, the development of training materials, and the project’s impact frameworks.