RISE UP! Mental Health – Supporting patients after Psychiatric Treatment

Funded by the Charity Aid Foundation (UK), RISE UP! Mental Health addressed the critical
gap in support for young people aged 18–35 who had recently completed treatment in
the psychiatric clinic of Cyprus and required structured assistance to reintegrate into
society. The programme ran for nearly two years and provided individualised
socio-economic inclusion support to 89 young adults across the country. A
multidisciplinary team of professionals conducted home visits in all major cities—
Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos—ensuring continuous, community-based
support tailored to each participant’s needs. The project focused on strengthening daily
functioning, building independence, and facilitating access to education, employment,
and social networks.
To ensure uninterrupted support, the programme established a 24-hour helpline,
available during weekends and public holidays when public social services remain closed.
This service offered crisis support, guidance, and emotional assistance, significantly
enhancing the safety net available to young people in vulnerable moments.
In addition, the project offered two weekly therapeutic afternoon activities, free of
charge, in Hippotherapy and Art Therapy across all four major cities. These sessions
promoted emotional expression, physical wellbeing, confidence building, and social
connection, contributing to participants’ overall recovery and reintegration

“Una Donna” – Sexual Education for Young Women with Disabilities

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Cyprus Youth Council, YES We Can
contributed to the development and dissemination of an interactive educational video
on sexual and physical health for young women with disabilities. The video, hosted on
YouTube under the title UNA DONNA – Οδηγός Υγείας και Προστασίας, served as the
core tool for a series of school-based trainings.

Blue Tourism – Young Entrepreneurs (KA2 VET)

Blue Tourism is a transnational KA2 VET initiative implemented in partnership with
organisations from Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain, focusing on strengthening
the employability of young people with fewer opportunities in the tourism sector. The
project addressed the growing need for inclusive vocational pathways in coastal and
maritime tourism, an industry with significant potential for sustainable employment
across participating countries.
The initiative supported young people facing social, economic, or educational barriers by
equipping them with practical skills, entrepreneurial competencies, and exposure to
emerging opportunities within blue and coastal tourism professions. Through
collaborative learning activities, mobility exchanges, and the development of innovative
training materials, the project enhanced participants’ readiness to enter the labour
market and encouraged their active engagement in local tourism economies.
The transnational partnership ensured the exchange of best practices, the creation of
high-quality VET tools, and the promotion of inclusive employment models that can be
replicated across Europe

RE-MOVE HATE SPEECH – Solidarity Corps

YES We Can Organisation implemented RE-MOVE HATE SPEECH, a street-work initiative
carried out in ten marginalised communities across Nicosia, Larnaca, and Limassol. The
project engaged 90 young people aged 15–25 in twice-weekly afternoon activities
alongside minorities and vulnerable groups. The initiative focused on removing hate
speech from public walls and replacing it with artistic designs and positive graffiti,
transforming public spaces into symbols of inclusion and respect. The project
strengthened youth participation, promoted intercultural dialog

I. PXB Youth Club – Solidarity Corps

Through the PXB Youth Club project, “YES We Can” established a dedicated youth space
in the marginalized village of Pera Chorio in Nicosia. A group of 25 young people
contributed to the creation and organisation of the club, which now serves as a safe
and supportive environment for local youth. The club offers opportunities for young
people to gather, socialize, and engage in healthy recreational activities such as music
and movie nights, board games, and community-building events. This initiative has
strengthened social cohesion, reduced isolation, and provided a sustainable structure
for youth empowerment in a small rural community.

II. HATE SPEA-CE IN A WEEK – National Agency of Cyprus

The HATE SPEA-CE IN A WEEK project expanded the organisation’s anti-hate-speech
efforts through coordinated street-work activities in Nicosia and Larnaca. Ninety young participants, aged 15–25, took part in twice-weekly afternoon sessions aimed at
removing hate speech from public walls and replacing it with creative, inclusive graffiti
artworks. The project was implemented in close cooperation with three high schools in
the two cities, ensuring strong youth ownership and educational impact. By combining
artistic expression with social awareness, the initiative promoted tolerance, civic
engagement, and positive youth activism in public spaces.

III. EMO-DISTRESS – European Youth Foundation (EYF)

The EMO-DISTRESS project focused on strengthening solidarity and emotional
wellbeing among students in a local high school. The initiative brought together
Cypriot, Syrian, and Bulgarian students, encouraging them to collaborate in shared
activities during school hours. Through structured group work, creative exercises, and
intercultural dialogue, the project helped students develop empathy, mutual
understanding, and a sense of belonging regardless of ethnicity. EMO-DISTRESS
contributed to a more inclusive school climate and supported the emotional resilience
of young people navigating diverse cultural environments.

IV. OH! YES WE CAN – Inspiring Youth Through Real Success Stories
Funded by the National Agency of Cyprus, OH! YES WE CAN aimed to motivate and
empower young students by showcasing the real-life success stories of young people
with disabilities who have completed university studies and built fulfilling, independent
lives. The programme highlighted resilience, determination, and achievement, offering
students positive role models who overcame significant barriers throughout their
educational and personal journeys.
The initiative was implemented in three secondary schools across Nicosia, Larnaca,
and Limassol, reaching and inspiring more than 60 students aged 14–17.
Presentations were delivered directly by young adults with disabilities, creating an
authentic and impactful learning experience. Their testimonies challenged stereotypes,
promoted inclusion, and encouraged students to believe in their own potential
regardless of the obstacles they may face.
The program contributed to a more inclusive school culture by fostering empathy,
raising awareness, and strengthening young people’s confidence in their ability to
pursue higher education and meaningful careers.