Cyprus

In general, HFC aims to provide guidance and support for the development of more effective and comprehensive child protection systems across the EU. In this direction, campaigns/projects at a grassroots level undertaken by HFC include: Non-formal Human Rights Education (HRE) for teachers and children, ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children (2014 - ongoing), the operation of the European Helpline for the Support of Children and Adolescents 116111 (ongoing), the Missing Children Hotline 116000 (ongoing), the implementation and enforcement of the “Beat Bullying” Campaign (2013-ongoing), the opening and coordination of the Children’s House (2017), the Training of the Professionals involved in the Juvenile Judicial Procedures (2017), the Foster Care program for unaccompanied minors (2016-2017) and the Social Skills Workshops for third country nationals (2016-2017).
Additionally, HFC contributes significantly in the area of Children on the Move, following EU laws on asylum and family reunification through Dublin procedures. It directly provides rehabilitation, integration and durable solution services to migrant children primarily through the operation of a children’s shelter for unaccompanied minors, called “Home for Hope”. The two “Home for hope” shelters, accommodate around 40 minors between the ages of 13 -18, who have suffered abuse and/or exploitation. The shelter provides interdisciplinary and holistic services based on models that are considered good practices in other European countries, after they are first adapted to the needs and special circumstances of Cyprus. Such activities are complemented by research and policy-making together with solid collaboration with national authorities in the social welfare, migration and asylum sectors.
HFC leads and takes part in several european projects in the field of gender equality, social inclusion and integration of young migrants. For example, the Organisation coordinates a european project called INTEGRA which aims to provide multidisciplinary mentorship programme to support the entrepreneurship of children in care and young care-leavers. Furthermore, HFC takes part in various european projects such as MEDIS – Mediterranean Inclusive Schools, CREUS: Developing & Nurturing the Vocational transversal skills of Disadvantaged Young People through Creative, Non-Formal Learning in Unconventional Spaces, and CONVEY: Counteracting sexual violence and harassment.

We have carried out a series of seminars for several local youth groups on the topic of human rights education, using activities from COMPASS. We are in the process of organizing several more such seminars. We have applied for two projects under the Youth in Action Programme on the topics of human rights education and environmental education. We are also developing a project on the training for teachers on issues of anti-bullying within the human rights perspective in cooperation with a Greek educational institution. We are also in the process of preparing another project in conjunction with a local and international NGO on the issue of LGBTI and human rights. Two other developing projects include a workshop for adult learners and a learning partnership project.

EU programs
Kids University ( in Science, Robotics, Archaeology)
Local & International Exhibitions and Presentations
Scientific and technological research with social impact

Since its formation, the AHDR’s efforts have centred on providing opportunities for educators, historians and researchers to become better equipped to handle the complexities of history in Cyprus, including the training of educators and the development of supplementary educational materials. Such activities have involved dedicated members of the AHDR, as well as co-operation with international and local partners, such as the Council of Europe, EUROCLIO and teacher trade unions across the divide. In co-operation with the Council of Europe (CoE), a new project on “Developing a culture of co-operation” was launched on 22nd and 23rd June 2012. This project was built on the results achieved within the activities which have been organised by the AHDR in co-operation with the CoE since 2004 and resulted in the preparation of the first trilingual (English, Greek and Turkish) pedagogical set of materials on history of Cyprus. This publication was introduced in May 2011 at the inauguration of the H4Cand reached Cypriot schools across the divide. Through the phase I of the Multiperspectivity and Intercultural Dialogue in Education (MIDE I) project supported by UNDP-ACT from July 2008 – November 2011, the AHDR has successfully expanded its programmatic scope to include extensive research, diverse public outreach, and has also diversified the range of materials and trainings it offers to its core target groups. In November 2011, the AHDR has commenced the second phase of the MIDE project, which run for a period of two years and concluded in the summer of 2013. This second phase sought to leverage the valuable resources that the AHDR created within the first phase of the MIDE project and to allow the AHDR to continue in its pursuit of exciting and comprehensive initiatives that focus on promoting innovative approaches to history education, with the focus on the following areas: • To further develop efforts to engage the general public on issues related to history and history education in Cyprus as a means to promoting greater sensitivity to the importance of multi-perceptivity. It is the aim of AHDR to promote critical thinking and historical understanding and thus contribute to the development of a culture of cooperation in Cyprus. • To extend educational and research programmes to ensure that key actors – educators, young people, researchers and policy makers – have sustained opportunities to engage with AHDR’s specialized focus. • To Continue working in partnership with organizations such as the Council of Europe, teacher trade unions across the divide, EUROCLIO, PRIO, CCMC, the International Centre for Transitional Justice and the Elders, as well as developing new relations with other institutions both locally and internationally. In addition to the aforementioned projects, the AHDR has undertaken a grand initiative of renovating a derelict building in the UN controlled Nicosia buffer zone into a “Home for Cooperation”. This forms an integral part of its wider vision of transforming what is currently referred to as the Buffer Zone or Dead Zone into a zone of cooperation. The H4C aims to break the common perception of the buffer zone through: • Enabling young people, educators, historians, researchers and activists and other agents of change, to develop knowledge and critical thinking through hosting programmes on education, training and research; • Providing opportunities for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and individuals to design and implement innovative projects for the empowerment of civil society and the enhancement of intercultural dialogue; • Encouraging Cypriots to demonstrate the benefits of cooperation across the existing divide; • Enhancing awareness of the complexity and diversity of history and support the conservation of the cultural heritage of Cyprus. Since its opening on 6 May 2011, the H4C has been providing a shared space aiming to foster intercultural cooperation and dialogue. Due to its location in the ‘dead’ zone, the H4C is accessible from both sides of the divide without having to cross the checkpoint of the other community and thus provides a neutral and shared space that can be used by all communities in Cyprus. A number of conferences, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions and film screenings have been hosted at the H4C. These have been organized by the AHDR, as well as other NGOs across the island. The H4C currently hosts a number of non-governmental organizations, as well as a library and archive, conference and exhibition spaces. As such, it is the first centre in Cyprus to promote collective efforts of civil society in engaging in historical inquiry, contemporary understanding and peace building. Since the opening of the H4C, the AHDR has been effectively running the Home, maintaining the building, offering office space, as well as promoting the usage of its spaces amongst NGOs and individuals across the island. The H4Cwas made possible by the major donors Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein through the EEA and Norway Grants; by Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands and also by the Government of Cyprus, as well as individuals, organizations and authorities in Cyprus and abroad. United Nations Development Programme –Action for Cooperation and Trust through funding from the United States Agency for International Development is providing support through the Multiperspectivity and Intercultural Dialogue in Education (MIDE) initiative. The support of the Council of Europe also played an important role.

- Organizing seminars, lectures and Life Skills development workshops for adults.
- Organizing events and team-building workshops to develop skills in children and young persons.
- Training teachers, parents and other stakeholders to use non-formal and active learning methods in the development of Life Skills
- Collaboration with schools, local bodies, organizations and associations of Cyprus.
- Cooperation with educational institutions and institutions abroad.
- Participation in international conferences and seminars.
The Association organized and offered in Cyprus two separate weekly In-Service Lifelong Learning Seminars within the framework of the European Lifelong Learning Program: "Improving Life Skills through Adult Education" “Social and Emotional Learning: Experience the Power of Education!". The Association was also approved for collaboration with other organizations under the Grundtvig Learning Partnerships program for the implementation of the "Social Integration through Education" activity in 2011-2013.
In the period 2010-2015, the Association organized experiential workshops within the framework of the HIPP (Help Increase the Peace and Positive) program, an educational program created for implementation in youth groups and aimed at creating peaceful relationships among people , to provide them with life skills and to inspire them to live with understanding, acceptance and love.
The Association organized three Pancyprian Educational Conferences:
a) in January 2010 (title: "We are creating a more democratic and humane school - We prevent social exclusion"),
b) in January 2012 (title: "Social and Emotional Education - The Challenge in New Analytical Programs") with academic speakers from Cyprus and Greece and Cypriot trainers of experiential workshops
(c) in February 2016 ("Peace Education: Antidote to Racism")
Additionally, Lifeskills Publications published a children's book written by a member of the Association titled "The Teacher and the Seagull" on issues diversity and acceptance in the school context.
The Association has been a member of the Cyprus Youth Council, the European Adult Education Association (EAEA) and the Grundtvig International Network of Course Organizers (GINCO).

• It operates the following collections: Coin Collection, Map Collection, Collection of Manuscripts and Rare Books, Engravings, Old Photographs and Watercolours Collection, Collection of Cyprus Antiquities, Collection of Contemporary Cypriot Art. • The Museum of the History of Cypriot Coinage and the Museum of George and Nefeli Giabra Pierides Collection (antiquities collection). • Educational Programs. • Exhibitions and Lectures. • More than 100 publications in the following sectors: Cypriot cartography, Cypriot coinage, Cultural Foundation collections, Lectures on history and archaeology of Cyprus, Cyprological studies and Lectures, Folios, Exhibition Catalogues, Guides to archaeological, Byzantine and historical monuments of Cyprus, Cypriot literature, Children’s and young adults’ books, Cypriot art, books on the environment of Cyprus and books published in collaboration with other Foundations.

The areas of activity we engage in include Research and development, Application of ICT in education and training, Education, curriculum design, and training, Civil society and development education, Multiculturalism, peace, and reconciliation, Organizational assessment and strategic planning, Foresight and innovation. We have successfully implemented projects in Europe, USA, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Affrica. Sample projects include: Reconciliation and social justice pedagogies; Building Capacity among NGOs towards Increased Participation in EU Development Policy and Action; Inter-Communal Professional Development of Teachers on Environmental Education & Technology Integration; Adapting e-learning to SME Cultural Diversity.

The main forms of activities organized by the Center for Gender Equality and History (KIIF) include scientific research on gender issues, educational projects, one-off events, workshops, structured dialogue, forming policy recommendations, empowering communities, and building synergies and networks between communities. We are also interested in integrating arts, culture, and creativity, into our work as well as exploring methodologies of story-telling as a tool for connection, empowerment and reflection. To mention some examples of current projects, we are systematically organising historical walks in Nicosia aiming to explore the invisible history of women and the gendered aspects of the urban landscape―under bicommunal and multi-communal perspectives―while we have also organized women’s history workshops in rural areas. Some of our current large-scale projects include the making of an online, open archive on the modern and contemporary history of Cypriot women (www.clioforgender.com); the development of an online educational toolkit on gender education targeting teenage boys; and a structured dialogue youth project for gender equality in the family.