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FES in Cyprus

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This photo shows a sweeping view of the city of Nicosia in Cyprus.
Creator: FES Cyprus

Our mission in Cyprus

The FES is a German non-profit-making, private, independent and cultural organisation. It has been active in Cyprus since 1986. The Nicosia office is part of a global network comprising 107 local branches. Between 1986 and 2011, the Cyprus branch was administered by the Athens office, however, since 2011 the FES Cyprus has had its own small office in Nicosia.

The FES office in Cyprus is part of the FES MENA Competence Center for Peace and Security in Beirut and the FES office in Athens. Our work is divided into two main areas:

1. Work within the framework of the FES Athens Office

As part of the FES Athens Office, we focus on the 4+2 advisory fields, which are listed under "Topics" and address the specific challenges and political issues of Cyprus. The focus is on the conflict triangle between the various actors from Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, as well as on specific Cypriot issues.

2. Work for the FES MENA Competence Center in Beirut

Our work for the MENA Competence Center takes a regional perspective and is not focused on individual countries. The main focus is on peace, security and migration in the MENA region. As a branch of the MENA Competence Center, we contribute to the development of an inclusive regional security architecture that fosters dialogue among different actors and strengthens sustainable stability in the region. Special emphasis is placed on supporting democratic security reforms and promoting the rule of law and human rights in the region.

Within this network, the FES office in Cyprus serves as a host for regional dialogue formats and discussions, which are organized in close coordination with other FES regional projects and country offices.

Our Political Work

This image shows a detailed satellite view of the Mediterranean region, including Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Creator: © shutterstock.com I 360b

Foreign and Security Policy

Cyprus is located in a geopolitically dynamic region of longstanding conflict where it seeks to position itself as a mediator and stabilizing force to safeguard its interests.

Greek citizens living abroad vote for the Greek legislative election at a polling station in Brussels, Belgium on May 20, 2023
Creator: © shutterstock.com I Alexandros Michailidis

Democracy

Modern democracy is under pressure. As in other European countries, important elements of a democratically organised state have been weakened in Cyprus.

Olive trees with the sea in the background.
Creator: © shutterstock.com I Lana_P

Climate and Social Justice

Cyprus struggles in areas such as sustainable agriculture, clean water and sanitation, waste management and renewable energy.

This image shows a detailed 3D rendering of a humanoid robot.
Creator: © Barbara Novotna

The Future of Work

The future of work in Cyprus faces major challenges driven by two global trends: climate change and increasing digitalization.


Events

  • Event

The Religious Heritage of Cyprus in the City of Nicosia and its Suburbs - Publication Launch Event

After the launch of the website "The Religious Heritage of Cyprus", now comes a publication dealing specifically with the religious heritage in Nicosia and its surroundings . For this occasion we are hosting this launch event.

  • Event

Migration 2.0 Podcast - Episode 6: Afghanistan, Lebanon, EU Migration policy and Cyprus - A Conversation with Andrew Connelly

In the sixth episode, Hubert Faustmann and Hrishabh Sandilya discuss the migration situation on Europe's borders with journalist Andrew Connelly. They talk about the potential impact any further movement of migrants from Afghanistan and...

  • Event

"The Religious Heritage of Cyprus" on Website

The tragic partition of the island in 1974 caused the internal displacement of thousands of Cypriots, and the persistent spatial separation of Greek and Turkish Cypriots on the island. In more than 300 villages, religious sites, some of...

  • Event
  • Good Governance

Launch: A Systemic Analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Refugees, Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Cyprus: Part I - An Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Cyprus hard. As it was the case in other countries, vulnerable groups like the Refugees, Migrants and Asylums-seekers (RMAs) were by far more negatively affected than others. In cooperation with the young NGO...

  • Event

Launch (North): The LGBTI Movement in Cyprus. Activism, Law, and Change Across the Divide

On 21st February, FES Cyprus launched the report "The LGBTI Movement in Cyprus Activism, Law, and Change Across the Divide" by Nayia Kamenou, Costa Gavrielides, Enver Ethemer and Okan Bullici at Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce. ...

  • Event

Launch: Cyprus as a New Refugee “Hotspot” in Europe? Challenges for a Divided Country

On 20th February, FES Cyprus launched the report "Cyprus as a New Refugee “Hotspot” in Europe? Challenges for a Divided Country" by Nicos Trimikliniotis at the Fulbright Center in the Buffer Zone.

  • Event

Launch (South): The LGBTI Movement in Cyprus Activism, Law, and Change Across the Divide

On 19th February, FES Cyprus launched the report "The LGBTI Movement in Cyprus Activism, Law, and Change Across the Divide" by Nayia Kamenou, Costa Gavrielides, Enver Ethemer and Okan Bullici at University of Nicosia.

  • Event
  • The Cyprus Problem

Workshop: Educating the New Generation for a Peaceful Future

On the 16th and the 17th of November the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung organized together with Enorasis, a bi-communal initiative, the 15th annual Enorasis Friendship Weekend which took place in the Troodos Mountains.

  • Event

Living Stories from Eyewitnesses: The Wall Comes Down

On November the 13th, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the German Embassy in Nicosia brought together people, who witnessed this historic event themselves.

  • Event
  • Good Governance

Conference: Religion, Religious Spaces and Conflict: Cyprus, Lebanon, Bosnia

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Cyprus (FES) organized an international conference under the title “Religion, Religious Spaces and Conflict: Cyprus, Lebanon, Bosnia” together with the Institute for Interdisciplinary Cypriot Studies at the...

Video: What is Social Democracy?

Publications

The Cypriot parliamentary elections of 2026 and their aftermath

Triga, Vasiliki | Nicosia : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, July 2026

The Middle East paradoxon

Wieland, Carsten | Nicosia : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, November 2025

can a new regional order emerge after disruption?

Trade Union Monitor / Cyprus (2025). October 2025

Berlin : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 2020, August-

Icon Envelope used for a Newsletter teaser
Creator: FES

Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get an overview of the political, economic and social developments on both sides of the divided Cyprus during the previous month.


Contact

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung