The Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) has been brought to a standstill after a series of board resignations and ongoing internal conflicts, exposing long-standing governance issues.
On 11 February 2026, two board members — Sotos Vassiliou, a presidential appointee, and Theofanis Costa, representing the youth party NEDISY — submitted their resignations, citing internal disputes that prevented the organisation from functioning effectively. This came just two days after a meeting at the Presidential Palace aimed at easing tensions, which included the board, Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki, and the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athena Michaelidou. That meeting failed to yield results, prompting a third resignation the same day: Vice-Chair Amalia Avraam.
With three of the seven-member board now gone, the organisation is unable to convene meetings or make decisions due to lack of quorum.
Board structure and political tensions
The ONEK board, appointed for three-year terms by the Council of Ministers, includes the chair, vice-chair, and five members representing youth wings of political parties. Any remaining positions are filled by ministerial appointment. The current board included representatives from NEDISY, EDON, NEDIK, and a presidential appointee from EDEK.
Under the outdated 1994 legislation, politically affiliated board members — some salaried by their parties — participate in decisions affecting funding for their own organisations. Critics say this creates inherent conflicts of interest.
The most recent board was appointed on 15 January 2025, following several months without leadership. By summer 2025, a feud erupted between board Chair Konstantina Achilleos and ONEK Deputy Executive Director Maria Miltiadou — both of whom had worked on President Nikos Christodoulides’s election campaign — paralysing board activities and delaying key initiatives.
Calls for investigation
On 19 February 2026, Chair Achilleos filed a formal complaint with the Auditor General citing “possible mismanagement” and calling for an official review. Allegations include:
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Misleading the board on a partnership with Junior Achievement.
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Repeated direct contract awards without proper competitive procedures.
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Budget manipulations, including unauthorised creation of new positions.
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Failure to submit signed board minutes to the Auditor General and Ministry.
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Potential risk of losing EU funding linked to the Cypriot Youth Presidency.
Miltiadou has rejected the allegations but declined to comment on specifics, stating that ministerial and presidential decisions are pending. She emphasised her 23 years of experience and role as Deputy Executive Director as fully compliant with regulations.
Leadership responds
Achilleos stressed that the issues are systemic rather than personal. “There was continuous obstruction of the board, with interventions and misleading behaviour,” she told reporters. “ONEK does not belong to individuals nor serve personal agendas. Its mission is to serve Cyprus’s youth and the public interest.”
Meanwhile, the remaining board members are expected to step down this week, with a new board to be appointed by ministerial decision upon recommendation from the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. The future role of the Deputy Executive Director remains a key question in restoring organisational stability.
This article was originally published on the Greek-language Politis website.