EU Infopoint highlighted issues and opportunities for youth

The EU Infopoint in cooperation with the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus organised events in August as part of International Youth Day (12 August) celebrations, to draw attention to issues and EU funded opportunities for youth in the Turkish Cypriot community.  The events included an Information Session/Chat Café at Narnia from 19.30 to 22.30 on 27 August and a debate on EU Youth Policies & Youth Issues at Merit Hotel from 10.30 to 13.00 on 28 August.

These events organised in partnership with local youth organisations such as HASDER, AkDer, Adalı Gençlik, MAGEM, Youth Power, and GUSAD aimed to bring young people from all regions together to inform them about EU funded opportunities for youth. At the Information Session/Chat Café at Narnia, European Commission, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce’s EU funded “Leading by Example” project, Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans, MAGEM, Youth Power, and EU Coordination Centre provided answers to the questions of youth participating at the event. The event finished with refreshments and a live concert by Ezgi Akgürgen and Eril Cambaz.

The debate on EU Youth Policies & Youth Issues in the Turkish Cypriot community at the Merit Hotel provided a constructive forum to discuss youth issues, youth related initiatives, opportunities and EU’s policies and strategy on youth. The event ended with a networking lunch, where youth and opinion leaders were able to interact and share information.

The EU Youth Strategy sets out a framework for cooperation covering the years 2010-2018.  It has two main objectives: to provide more and equal opportunities for young people in education and the job market, and to encourage young people to actively participate in society. Under the aim of creating more education and employment opportunities for young people, actions in education, employment and creativity and entrepreneurship are proposed in the EU’s Youth Strategy.

As part of the Aid Programme to the Turkish Cypriot community, the EU has supported a number of civil society projects and initiatives, including a focus on youth.  In addition to this, support has been provided to harmonise the TCc with the EU when it comes to social inclusion and allowing for young people to register their own NGOs and participate fully in society. European Union scholarships allow students, researchers and professionals to study in the EU and gain exposure to other European cultures. The Human Resources Development programme of the EU aims to assist the Turkish Cypriot community in reforming the education sector with a view to enhance human resources development, to assist the creation of more and better jobs by attracting more people into employment or entrepreneurial activity, improving adaptability of workers and enterprises and increasing investment in human capital.