Author: Veronica Charalambous

The celebratory inauguration of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union has given way to a period of intense legislative action as March 2026 progresses. This is a critical time for the country’s youth. Cyprus is using its Presidency to promote a “values-based” digital transformation, one that strikes a balance between an unwavering commitment to fundamental human rights and the aggressive pursuit of technological innovation, given its strategic location at the intersection of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (ERA Portal, 2026).

The theme of the Cyprus Presidency, An Autonomous Union, Open to the World, is nowhere more visible than in the digital sphere. President Nikos Christodoulides has placed “economic and digital competitiveness” at the heart of the agenda, but with a distinct caution: it must be a transformation that “leaves no one behind” (Council of the EU, 2026).

This past February, the focus has intensified on the European Strategy for Digital Rights and Principles. For young Cypriot entrepreneurs, this means moving beyond simple coding to ‘Ethical by Design’ business models. The EU’s role is crucial here; by integrating rules through the AI Act and the Digital Services Act(DSA), it provides a stable regulatory ‘safety net’ that allows small startups in Cyprus to scale across the single market without the burden of navigating 27 different legal systems (CCIA Europe, 2025).

In the landscape of 2026, entrepreneurship is no longer just about profit; it is about the ‘Twin Transition’—the simultaneous shift toward green and digital solutions. In Cyprus, this is manifesting through targeted actions under the THALIA 2021-2027 programme, which provides significant grants to young innovators aged 18-29 (Youth Wiki, 2025).

Innovation this month is particularly focused on Digital Democracy. This directly links to the work of the EU Presidency Project 5 (EUPP5), implemented in Cyprus by CARDET, and acts as a strategic channel, ensuring that these grassroots digital innovations inform the high-level policy papers being drafted for the Council. By integrating civil society insights into the digital agenda, EUPP5 helps bridge the gap between abstract Brussels regulations and the lived reality of a young founder in the Mediterranean.

A unique pillar of the Cyprus Presidency is its focus on minors’ online safety and digital well-being. In February 2026, coinciding with Safer Internet Day on February 10, the European Commission launched a landmark Action Plan Against Cyberbullying (European Commission, 2026). Cyprus has become a lead advocate for this initiative, pushing for a unified ‘digital age of majority’ across the EU to protect the mental health of the next generation.

For young entrepreneurs, this rights-based landscape is a competitive advantage. In a global economy increasingly wary of data exploitation, European youth can offer products that are inherently transparent and secure. The EU acts as the architect of this ‘trustworthy tech’ ecosystem, funding European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) that provide startups with access to high-performance computing and AI testing environments that respect European privacy standards (EPC, 2026).

The Presidency recognises that an inclusive digital transformation is impossible without a massive upskilling effort. Projections for 2026 show that while youth are ‘digital natives’, a significant skills gap remains in advanced areas like cybersecurity and AI ethics (Torchio, 2025). To combat this, the Cyprus Presidency is advancing the Union of Skills initiative. This month, informal meetings of Ministers of Education in Nicosia have focused on integrating AI literacy into vocational training and secondary education. By linking these skills to the Youth Guarantee, the EU ensures that every young person has a path toward a high-quality digital career, regardless of their starting point (EARLALL, 2026).

The role of the European Union in 2026 is that of both a safeguard and an accelerator. Through the strategic leadership of the Cyprus Presidency and the supportive framework of projects like EUPP5, the Union is proving that digital progress does not have to come at the cost of human dignity. For the youth of Cyprus and Europe, the digital transformation is not a distant threat to be managed, but a rights-based frontier to be explored, built, and led.

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.  

Katerina Panagi,
CARDET Researcher and Project Manager

Τhis opinion piece was published on Policypress.

Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals cannot depend on government policies alone. Sustainable development requires the active participation of citizens, communities, and organizations that translate global commitments into meaningful action on the ground. Recent international assessments show that progress remains uneven. Only about 17% of the Sustainable Development Goal targets worldwide are currently on track to be achieved by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for broader cooperation across governments, civil society, and the private sector.

Civil society plays a critical role in bridging the gap between policy frameworks and the real needs of communities. In Cyprus, organizations, networks, and grassroots initiatives contribute to advancing sustainable development through education, social innovation, and participatory democratic processes. Cyprus’ experience demonstrates that civil society can act as a powerful catalyst for change: mobilizing communities, fostering inclusive dialogue, and providing evidence-based recommendations that strengthen public policy on sustainability, social justice, and the green transition.

At the European level, this role becomes even more significant. Recent European assessments indicate that progress toward the SDGs across Europe has slowed or stalled in several areas, despite the region’s overall strong performance globally. The European Union increasingly recognizes that meaningful progress toward the 2030 Agenda depends on stronger partnerships with civil society actors. Through initiatives such as the European Union Presidency Project (EUPP5) and the work of organizations like CARDET, Cyprus contributes to strengthening the voice of civil society in the European dialogue on sustainable development.

Active citizen engagement is not simply a complementary element of policymaking. It is a necessary foundation for building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Europe.

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.

Veronica Charalambous,
Senior Communications Officer, CARDET

Τhis opinion piece was published on Policypress.

Democratic participation is a cornerstone of resilient and inclusive societies. Beyond formal electoral processes, it reflects the extent to which citizens and organised civil society can meaningfully engage in shaping the policies that affect their lives. Across Europe, civic space is under pressure; participation is becoming more symbolic than substantive.  For Cyprus, the current EU Presidency of the Council in 2026 is a critical moment to reflect on how citizens and civil society are involved in shaping policy and proceed beyond consultation, to a co-creation process.

Too often, public participation is understood as a technical requirement rather than a democratic process. Consultations may be organised late in the policy cycle, within limited timeframes, and without clarity on how contributions will influence final decisions. While such practices fulfil formal obligations, they rarely foster trust or ownership. Meaningful participation, by contrast, requires early engagement, openness to diverse perspectives, and a willingness to integrate civil society input into policy design. Without these elements, participation risks becoming symbolic, undermining confidence in democratic institutions.

In the Cypriot context, steps have been taken to encourage dialogue between public authorities and civil society, including the introduction of a national e-consultation platform aimed at broadening access to public consultations and increasing transparency in policy-making. In addition, the continuous discussion around the legal environment for NGOs represents an important step towards more open governance, enabling organisations and citizens to discuss problems that affect thems. However, participation mechanisms remain largely fragmented and dependent on political will rather than institutionalised frameworks. Consultations are often conducted at late stages of the policy cycle, with limited timeframes and insufficient feedback on how contributions are used. As a result, smaller civil society organisations, grassroots initiatives, and marginalised groups continue to face barriers to meaningful engagement, limiting the diversity and impact of participation.

At the heart of this challenge lies the condition of civic space. Democratic participation cannot thrive without an enabling environment that allows civil society to operate freely, independently, and sustainably. Civic space encompasses the legal, political, and practical conditions that enable organisations and citizens to associate, express views, access information, and engage with public authorities. Excessive administrative burdens, legal uncertainty restrict the capacity of civil society organisations to participate meaningfully. When civic space is constrained, participation becomes performative rather than transformative.

Civil society organisations should not be perceived merely as stakeholders competing for influence. They play a distinct role as carriers of community knowledge, advocates for underrepresented groups, and partners in policy implementation. Their proximity to social realities allows them to identify emerging needs, unintended consequences, and innovative solutions. Excluding civil society from early stages of policy development often results in measures that lack social legitimacy or fail in implementation. Co-creation—where civil society and public institutions jointly shape policies—leads to more responsive, inclusive, and sustainable outcomes.

The European Union increasingly recognises the importance of civic space and democratic participation as fundamental components of democratic governance. This recognition is reflected in policy frameworks, structured EU stakeholder consultation process for the Country Reports, funding instruments, and initiatives such as the EU Presidency Project (EUPP5), which seeks to strengthen civil society participation and inclusive decision-making across EU Presidencies. For Cyprus, the 2026 EU Presidency is not only an administrative responsibility but also an opportunity to set a positive agenda. By prioritising democratic participation and civic space, Cyprus can model inclusive governance practices and contribute meaningfully to European discussions on democracy.

Moving from consultation to co-creation requires deliberate structural changes. Participation mechanisms need to be institutionalised, transparent, and predictable. Civil society should be engaged from the outset of policy processes, not invited to comment once decisions are largely finalised. Feedback loops are essential: participants must understand how their input was considered and why certain proposals were adopted or rejected. Capacity-building for civil society organisations is equally important, ensuring that participation is informed, inclusive, and representative of diverse societal perspectives.

Equally crucial is the relational dimension of democratic participation. Co-creation depends on trust between public institutions and civil society actors. Trust is built through consistency, transparency, and respect for the independence of civil society voices—even when they are critical. Participation should be understood as a shared responsibility rather than a concession granted by the state. When institutions view civil society as a partner rather than an adversary, democratic processes become more robust and credible.

As Cyprus assumes the EU Presidency, it stands at a crossroads. Strengthening democratic participation and safeguarding civic space are not abstract ideals, but practical investments in more effective and accountable governance. Moving from consultation to co-creation can help revitalise trust in democratic institutions, improve the quality of public policy, and reinforce Cyprus’s role as a credible advocate for inclusive democracy at the European level. In this context, the EU Presidency Project (EUPP5), implemented by CARDET in Cyprus, can serve as a catalyst by fostering sustained political commitment and supporting the systematic integration of democratic participation into local governance processes.

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.

Nadia Karayianni,
Head of Business Development, CARDET

Τhis opinion piece was published on Policypress.