PA Cyprus

As part of the preparatory phase of the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project CACAT – Culture and Creative Arts as Tools in Non-Formal Education for Inclusion, the Cyprus team from ACPELIA engaged in a series of activities to explore and address discrimination through research and artistic expression. The team conducted an in-depth investigation into the realities of discrimination in Cyprus, identifying key challenges faced by marginalized communities and highlighting local good practices. Building on these insights, the youth participants designed powerful awareness posters using themes such as inclusion, LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of art in combating hate. These activities not only raised awareness but also empowered participants to creatively express their voices and promote social change through non-formal education.

🇨🇾 Discrimination & Inclusion in Cyprus – Research Report

This research report on discrimination and inclusion in Cyprus has been conducted by the Polychoros Voroklinis - ACPELIA team as part of the preparatory activities for the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "YE CACAT – Non-Formal Education for Inclusion". The aim of this report is to provide an in-depth overview of the current realities in Cyprus regarding discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and migration status. The research highlights real-life data, existing challenges, as well as good practices and initiatives implemented by NGOs, youth groups, and artists who actively work to combat exclusion and promote diversity. As a youth-focused organization, ACPELIA remains committed to using non-formal education, creativity, and community action as powerful tools for fostering inclusion, empowerment, and solidarity across society.

1. Real‑Life Cases & Data

  • Racist and homophobic incidents in schools: Between 2016 and 2021, Cypriot schools reported 124–357 racist incidents annually, involving only 41–129 schools, despite a national policy expecting coverage across all 475 schools. Sexual orientation topics are minimally addressed in textbooks, and teacher training on LGBTIQ issues remains voluntary.
    Sources: ECRI Report on Cyprus (Council of Europe), p.15‑16. See PDF: https://rm.coe.int/ecri-6th-report-on-cyprus/1680aa6876
  • Refugee/migrant discrimination: UNHCR and Cyprus Youth Policy (2021) note increasing asylum applications nearly doubling from 2019 (13,259) to 2020 (7,094), and link discrimination to limited social integration in work and school.
    UNHCR: "The Integration of Refugees in Cyprus: Social Inclusion and Discrimination".
  • Gender inequality: Only ~14% of MPs and ~25% of ministers were women in 2021; domestic violence and wage gaps persist despite recent legal changes such as Law 115(I)/2021 aligning with the Istanbul Convention.
    CEDAW & CEDAW Shadow reports 2018 and ECRI 2022.

2. NGO & State Actions

ACPELIA

  • Engages in non-formal youth projects addressing discrimination, cultural heritage, inclusion and environmental education.
  • Notable initiatives:
    • Culture and Arts for Inclusion (CAFIN) (30 Sept–8 Oct 2023): A youth exchange using art, dance, and forum-theatre to explore discrimination and tolerance with 48 participants.
      Info: https://cafin3.webnode.page/ 
    • REDIEL (Nov 2022): Environmental training combining digital tools and diversity awareness.
      Info: https://rediel.webnode.co.uk/ 
    • Embrace Your Voice, EMYOUVO: Youth Exchange at Hylatio, Pissouri, Cyprus for 36 youngsters and 12 leaders in exploring the voice as a basic communication tool as a way to increase self-awareness through Non-Formal Educational Activities carried out both indoors and in nature. Info: https://emyouvo.webnode.page/ 

  • Volunteer-based with over 50 youth workers; long-term visibility via webpages, social media (Facebook: facebook.com/Acpelia; Instagram: instagram.com/acpelia_cyprus).

Future Worlds Center

  • Implements peace, multicultural, and digital inclusion initiatives; founded Cyprus Safer Internet Center, Cyprus Refugee Council, and more.
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Worlds_Center

URVT (Unit for Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture)

  • Offers psychological, medical, legal support to torture victims (often refugees) to foster dignity and social integration.
    Mentioned in national human rights reports.

Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group

  • Promotes bi-communal dialogue and social cohesion, using poetry evenings, concerts, dialogue workshops, recognized by UN Security Council.
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group

3. Art & Youth Initiatives

  • Forum-theatre and arts workshops (CAFIN by ACPELIA): Engage youth in active exploration of discrimination.
  • Theatre-based PIMPRO training (2022): Improvisation and cultural empathy training.
  • Disability art in schools: Academic studies advocate integrating disability art to challenge ableism.
  • Future Worlds Center's multicultural music and digital media labs: Foster intercultural awareness through creative programming.

4. Good Practices & Local Heroes

  • Future Worlds Center, under Yiannis Laouris, fosters social inclusion through digital media, conflict resolution, and intercultural education.
  • Cyprus Refugee Council, incubated by Future Worlds Center, advocates refugee rights and social integration.
  • URVT restores victim dignity through holistic support, bridging civil society and state.
  • Cyprus Red Cross Youth Section supports needy families, enclaved children, and community welfare through practical youth volunteering.
    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Red_Cross

🔍 Summary & Recommendations for YE CACAT

Strengths

Active NGO networks using art, drama, and cultural heritage to combat discrimination.

Strong youth engagement spaces (Clubs, Red Cross, inter-communal programs).

Legal frameworks improving inclusion (e.g., Istanbul Convention).

Gaps

Persistent educational and systemic discrimination, weak enforcement, and teacher capacity issues.

Limited resource access for rural youths, migrants, LGBTIQ, and people with disabilities.

Enforcement inconsistent; discrimination in employment, education, and public services continues.

Recommended Actions for YE CACAT Teams:

  1. Multimedia storytelling projects featuring testimonies from refugees, LGBTIQ people, and other marginalized groups.
  2. Forum-theatre/dance workshops, co-led with ACPELIA, and other NGO, in schools or community centers.
  3. Peer-awareness campaigns using art installations or digital exhibitions in public spaces or social media.
  4. Training programs for teachers on inclusive education, leveraging existing ECRI Code.
  5. Bi-communal youth exchanges, building on Future Worlds Center methodologies—dialogue, digital peace labs.
  6. Volunteering initiatives through Cyprus Red Cross Youth Section to foster inclusion through solidarity.

Posters from Cyprus Team

🎨 1. "We All Belong"

Theme: Inclusion of marginalized communities (e.g. refugees, LGBTIQ+, Roma, people with disabilities)
Visuals: A puzzle made of diverse human silhouettes with different features, flags, abilities, and colors forming one complete image.
Message: "Unity in Diversity – Everyone has a place."

🎭 2. "Art Against Hate"

Theme: Using art to fight discrimination
Visuals: Graffiti-style or mixed media collage showing theatre, music, dance, and painting crossing out words like "hate," "fear," and "racism."
Message: "Creativity builds bridges – not walls."

🧑‍🎓 3. "Educate to Include"

Theme: Importance of education in ending discrimination
Visuals: A school with open doors, books with words like "Respect," "Empathy," "Human Rights," and shadows of children walking in together.
Message: "Inclusive education starts with inclusive minds."

🗣️4. "Hear Our Voices"

Theme: Real voices of people facing discrimination
Visuals: Speech bubbles around a central face, with quotes from anonymous testimonies (e.g. "I was told I couldn't rent because I'm foreign")
Message: "Behind every story is a call for change."

🏳️‍🌈 5. "Love Is Not a Crime"

Theme: LGBTQ+ rights and combating homophobia
Visuals: A rainbow umbrella protecting diverse couples and individuals from a storm labeled "hate," "exclusion," and "violence."
Message: "Protect love. Fight discrimination."

🌍6. "Inclusion Is Action"

Theme: Actions by NGOs & youth for inclusion (e.g. ACPELIA, check the projects of ACPELIA and put in this poster 4-6 relevant projects with aims)

Visuals: A map of Cyprus with logos/illustrations of NGOs, youth holding hands around it, and words like "Empower," "Volunteer," "Support."
Message: "Inclusion starts with YOU – join the movement."