Seventeen years ago, “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center was created out of a very simple truth: every child deserves protection, dignity and opportunity, no matter their circumstances. This organisation began as a pledge, a personal commitment to ensure that no child in Cyprus, or anywhere in Europe, would be invisible or defenceless. Today, that pledge has become the mission of a team of experts and partners who work daily to uphold the rights of children.
Over the years, our work has expanded far beyond what we had imagined. With the dedication of 110 full-time professionals and more than 40 associates and volunteers, we protect children in Cyprus on a daily basis, through shelter, psychological support, social and legal services, education, prevention work, and advocacy. In 2024, over 20,000 children benefited from our services and initiatives. Beyond our national borders, Hope For Children has actively contributed to more than 80 European-wide programmes and initiatives, helping shape policies and solutions that impact millions of children across the continent. The organizations works on a broad set of child-rights and protection themes, including foster care, prevention and response to sexual abuse, operating helplines (EU missing children hotline, EU child helpline and 1466 national helpline) support for unaccompanied children, anti-bullying and digital-safety education.
Today, Cyprus stands before an important moment. As our country undertakes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we carry not only political responsibility, but moral responsibility.
This Presidency must not simply manage agendas; it must shape a vision. A vision in which child protection, child welfare systems, mental health support, education access, child poverty measures, and justice for children are central to European policy priorities.
As Founder of Hope for Children, I call upon the Cyprus Presidency to place children at the heart of its leadership in Europe. Let us champion the creation of stronger mechanisms to protect children, support frontline professionals, improve data-driven policy, and elevate children’s rights to the forefront of EU action.
We stand fully prepared to support this effort. Hope For Children offers its experience, its research, its international collaborations and its daily on-the-ground work to ensure that this Presidency leaves a lasting legacy for children across Europe. Our team is ready to contribute, advise, collaborate and implement initiatives that will make a measurable difference.
Seventeen years have passed, but our mission remains as urgent as ever. Thank you to all who stand with us, our staff, partners, volunteers, supporters, and every child who inspires us to fight harder. Let’s join forces to make the Cyprus Presidency a turning point, not for institutions, but for children.
