European Commission VP Margaritis Schinas visits "Hope For Children"

Joseph Borghese, the Founder and Director-General of "Hope For Children" CRC Policy Center, welcomed Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas at the shelter for unaccompanied children of the organisation. Also present during the visit was Marilena Evangelou, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Myrto Zambarta, Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, and Chara Tapanidou, Senior Officer of Social Welfare Services.

During the visit, Andria Neocleous, the Executive Director of HFC, along with members of the organisation's management, presented to Schinas and his colleagues the multifaceted work carried out by "Hope For Children" CRC Policy Center as a pioneering organisation in children's rights and the largest non-governmental organisation for child protection in Cyprus.

During the tour, the Vice President of the EC was informed about the operation of the shelter and the services provided in collaboration with the Social Welfare Services, which have the guardianship of the children accommodated. Specifically, they were informed about the rehabilitation, integration, and sustainable solutions services offered to the children, as well as the actions related to meeting their individual needs since the establishment of the shelter in 2014.

Special mention was made of the staffing of the shelters with specialised personnel and the challenges faced in the field of support and integration of unaccompanied children. Suggestions that would significantly contribute to solving existing difficulties, addressing emerging needs, and suggestions of the organisation regarding the improvement of the handling and integration of unaccompanied children were also discussed within the context of the crisis currently experienced by Cyprus.

Finally, on behalf of "Hope for Children" CRC Policy Center, Borghese expressed his special thanks to Schinas for his interest in the organisation's work and stated: "We are particularly honoured by this visit, given the connection and presence of the organization at the European level and the efforts for promoting the European values, and we express our commitment to cooperation for the improvement of infrastructure and services concerning children in Cyprus."