The Plenary Session of the Parliament unanimously approved the budget of the Cyprus Youth Organization (CYYO) with references to the multifaceted work of the organization and criticism of the consequences of the delay in the appointment of the new Board of Directors of the Organization.
The budget of ONEK for the year 2022 is balanced and foresees expenditure of €17.182.816 and revenue of the same amount.
Speaking before the plenary session, AKEL MP Christos Christofias expressed his support for the organisation's important and multifaceted work for the country's youth, but blasted the government for the "unacceptable delay" in appointing the new Board of Directors, resulting in the competent ministry being informed belatedly that the reserve, which the organisation had from programmes, had been exhausted. He said that the government had been negligent due to expediency, stating that it was too late for the government to fill the gap, resulting in the Agency having no money to finance the organized youth groups and their activities.
At the same time he said that the supplementary budget of 500 thousand euros that he said the government would bring in June was not enough to cover the needs amounting to 640 thousand euros. He also spoke of understaffing problems and the non-release of the position of Yiannis Giannakis after the fiasco, as he said, which occurred after a court decision is expected. He also said that for a year now the ONEK has been without an executive director.
DIPA - Co-operation of Democratic Powers MP Michalis Yiakoumi said that the existence of the ONEK is intended, among other things, to make a substantial contribution to the production of politics by young people. He also referred to problems of young people that need to be addressed such as unemployment, income inequality and the transition to independent adulthood, which is currently difficult and is achieved slowly. The overriding challenge, he said, is for the state to embrace young people as the face of their best selves. We need, he said, a strong ONEC. He welcomed the multifaceted work being developed and the formulation of the National Youth Strategy, the delivery of programmes by ONEC and the National Youth Congress. He also welcomed the expansion of the organisation's programmes throughout Cyprus.
The MP of the Movement of Ecologists for the Cooperation of Democratic Forces, Haralambos Theopeptou, referred to his contribution to the establishment and development of the organisation until 2006, mentioning that they did a lot such as information centres, programmes, youth policy, youth card, etc. At the same time he noted that in terms of youth needs things are not stagnant and you have to constantly reshape your policy. He also mentioned that in formulating the new policy, the organisation should listen to young people from all over Cyprus, living in cities or communities since there are different needs. He also spoke of the need for better implementation of the "youth guarantee" mechanism for finding a job or studying, noting that Cyprus has one of the worst implementations of it in the whole EU. He added that there should be more support for young people finding a job for the first time.
DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvidis said that the work of the Agency is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional, noting the importance of educational counselling services and said that the youth polycentres do a very good job and help children from poor families to follow programmes. He also criticized the delay in the appointment of a new Board which he said has created problems with regard to student sponsorships. He also wished for the creation of youth polycentres in remote areas such as Tylliria Tower and Polis Chrysochous.
DISY MP Georgios Karoulas praised the work carried out by an organisation with nationwide coverage. Regarding the budget, he said that the money to youth organizations will be given after August as is done every year. He also said that the organization should be recognized for the digitization effort that is being done intensively and the many meetings that are being held to build the first national youth strategy that will cover young people nationwide.
Source: CNA
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