Our History

THE HISTORY OF THE YOUTH OF CYPRUS

An organisation with 62 years of service and consistency from the Youth for the Youth of Cyprus!

Young people give back to young people by developing programmes that enhance skills, creativity and active citizenship. With actions that promote education, culture and volunteering, Young People strengthen the community and promote the values of solidarity.

With inspiration and creativity, the Youth Centres’ young people continue to offer and act as a driving force for the development of youth and society.

THE BEGINNING IN 1962

The Youth Club of Pelendri founded in 1962 and “Promitheas” of Agios Ambrosios Kyrenias founded in 1966 in the occupied village of Agios Ambrosios Kyrenias were the first Youth Club established in Cyprus. In 1966 the “Prometheas” of Agios Ambrosios Kyrenias was incorporated under the Law on Clubs. Both Youth Clubs are active to this day.

The flourishing and creation of Youth Clubs throughout Cyprus was rapid. The need of young people especially in the communities for voluntary service led to the establishment of a significant number of Youth Clubs which functioned mainly as Clubs under the Registration of Clubs Law, Chapter 112 of 1959 and after 1972.

The title of this first legislation is the main reason why they were called “Youth Clubs”.

On 26 June 1978, the President of the Parliament Alekos Michaelides attends the inauguration of the Kolossi Youth Club

The President of the Parliament George Ladas attends the Arts Festival of Youth Clubs on 26 September 1981

H11 — The President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou on 28 September 1982, accepts the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee of Youth Clubs at the Presidential Palace.

Minister of the Presidency Dinos Michaelides on October 27, 1984, attends the 10th Cyprus Youth Clubs Festival

1974

The Turkish invasion and the repatriation of 200 thousand inhabitants had a huge impact on the operation of the Youth Clubs as the population was dispersed to the various free areas and as a result the members of the Youth Club were displaced.

After 1977 and with the temporary housing of refugees in the refugee settlements, the Youth Clubs brought young and young refugees together again. At the same time, through the refugee settlements, the practical applications of giving and solidarity were developed even further.

The Social Welfare Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance were responsible for the coordination of the Youth Clubs during this period.

PANCYPRIAN COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF YOUTH CLUBS

In the mid-1970s, the Youth Clubs collectively decided to establish and operate the Pancyprian Youth Clubs Coordination Committee with the aim of better coordination and development of Youth Clubs in Cyprus.

In 1989, with the establishment of the Central Youth Agency under the law “On the Youth Board’s Law of 1989 (General Secretariat for Youth)”, the Cyprus Youth Board took over the supervision and coordination of the Youth Clubs until 1994, when theYouth Board’s Law of 1994transferred the Youth Clubs to the responsibilities of the Cyprus Youth Board.

The President of the Cyprus Republic Mr Spyros Kyprianou on 8 February 1984, receives the Executive Committee of the European Confederation of Youth Clubs.

Members of the Youth Clubs visit refugee camps on 13 May 1977

H10 — The President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou on 14 June 1983, receives representatives of the Youth Clubs at the Presidential Palace.

The President of the Cyprus Republic Dr George Vassiliou receives a delegation of the Youth Clubs on 30 October 1989

THE CYPRUS YOUTH CLUBS ORGANISATION

The Cyprus Youth Clubs Organisation, KOKEN as it is more widely known, was founded in June 2008, at a time when the need for qualitative upgrading and modernisation of the institution of Youth Centres was identified.

In the period 2011 – 2013, through a long process of consultation among the 100+ Youth Clubs across Cyprus, it was collectively decided to transform the Youth Clubs, which until that time had no defined legal status, into legal entities.

The Youth Clubs, which were informal youth groups, clubs or other types of organisations, agreed on a common statute of operation with common rules and procedures for good administration and financial management, while at the same time maintaining their autonomy.

All joint bylaws, membership forms and other related documents were prepared and submitted to the General Superintendent of Associations and approved.

THE FUTURE

During the period 2013 -1018 the Youth Clubs followed all the procedures that had been set and with the help and coordination of the KOKEN secretariat they submitted correctly and responsibly to the General Curator of Associations all the necessary documents in accordance with the existing legislation.

In 2022, the Youth Clubs unanimously decided to contact state and other officials on the issue of enacting specific legislation for Youth Clubs.

I WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HISTORY

Creation of a Youth Clubs

PROCEDURE