A political row between NEDISY and EDON over the Youth Board of Cyprus (ONEK) has intensified, with the country’s two largest party youth organisations exchanging serious accusations over the organisation’s governance.
The dispute centres on claims concerning ONEK’s funding, the composition and operation of its board, and the way both sides have responded to the crisis. The allegations have not been confirmed as fact by any competent institutional body. Attention is now turning to the ongoing reviews and the answers expected over the issues raised.
The latest confrontation was triggered by former board member Sotos Vasiliou, who publicly set out his reasons for resigning. His allegations concern grants to youth organisations, a possible conflict of interest and the handling of the evaluation process for specific applications.
NEDISY accuses AKEL and EDON of silence
NEDISY turned its criticism on AKEL and EDON, accusing the Left of remaining silent in the face of serious allegations. It said the claims concern funding, conflicts of interest, board decisions that were not implemented and questions over declared academic qualifications.
It argued that, in any other case, AKEL and its youth organisation would have immediately demanded explanations, investigations, accountability and resignations. NEDISY described the lack of a response as a political choice and accused the two organisations of showing selective concern for transparency.
NEDISY also recalled that EDON had warned of problems at ONEK in February, when it used the term “institutional deviation”. It questioned why EDON had not responded with the same intensity now that the allegations had become more specific.
EDON rejects claims of inaction
EDON responded in similarly sharp terms, rejecting the accusation that it had remained silent. It said both EDON and AKEL had been dealing with ONEK’s problems for months, noting that AKEL had asked in March for the allegations to be examined by Parliament’s Education Committee.
It also said it was awaiting the findings of reviews being conducted by the Audit Office and the Ombudswoman. EDON argued that this disproved NEDISY’s claim that the Left was uninterested in transparency and accountability.
EDON, in turn, accused NEDISY of selectively highlighting allegations. It said problems at ONEK had been raised months earlier by the organisation’s president, employees and other organisations, arguing that NEDISY had not shown the same concern at the time.
The organisation also questioned NEDISY’s position towards individuals serving on the board. It argued that the choice to highlight certain allegations was not accidental and suggested that political motives were behind the current criticism.
EDON made particular reference to an individual who, according to the organisation, was appointed to the board after supporting Nikos Christodoulides during the presidential election campaign and distancing himself from the position of NEDISY’s student wing. It argued that allegations should not automatically be regarded as objective regardless of their source.
Grants and conflict-of-interest claims
On the issue of funding, EDON said ONEK does not provide money directly to youth organisations but supports specific activities through programmes such as “Youth Initiatives”.
Applications are assessed by ONEK staff through a defined procedure and according to criteria applied to all organisations, it said.
EDON also rejected claims that the presence of one of its representatives on the board created a conflict of interest. It said the law provides for representatives of youth organisations to participate in the body and argued that, if a conflict-of-interest issue existed, it could apply to every organisation represented on the board.
Dispute over board composition
The political dispute has also extended to the composition of ONEK’s board. EDON stressed that it holds only one of the seven seats, meaning it neither has a majority nor the ability to control the organisation.
According to EDON, NEDISY’s real objection is the representation of EDON and the wider Left on the board.
EDON also called on President Nikos Christodoulides to appoint new members immediately, arguing that the failure to fill vacant positions had left ONEK at an impasse.
NEDISY, meanwhile, insisted that the discussion should not be diverted from the substance of the allegations. It called for answers to the issues raised publicly and argued that transparency could not be applied selectively.
