Governance crisis paralyzes the Youth Board of Cyprus

The Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) is facing a severe operational deadlock due to a prolonged delay in filling vacancies on its board of directors. Following the resignation of three members six months ago, the board has been reduced to four members, leaving it unable to reach the required quorum for decision-making since February 2026. Despite the Council of Ministers appointing new boards for other semi-governmental organizations on August 6, the three necessary replacements for ONEK were excluded from the process.

This administrative paralysis has led to significant consequences for the youth sector. Essential tasks, including the approval of contracts, funding for youth organizations through the 'Youth Initiatives' program, and various strategic actions, are currently frozen. Furthermore, the organization is reportedly unable to host the annual 'Up to YOU(th)' festival. The NGO Support Centre has expressed alarm, noting that the absence of the NGO Fair—a staple of the festival—deprives youth organizations of critical networking and visibility opportunities. Stakeholders are calling for the immediate appointment of the missing board members to restore functionality and prevent further negative impact on youth-related development in the region.