Newsroom
Cyprus has launched its first registered social enterprise with the opening of True Heart Café in central Nicosia. The project was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Klea Pappaellina during an event held under the patronage of President Nikos Christodoulides.
The café was created by the organisation Voice for Autism and focuses on providing employment opportunities and professional training for young people on the autism spectrum. Five autistic individuals are shareholders in the business, while 18 people with support needs completed training programmes and now work as part of the café team.
Operating beyond the model of a traditional café, the business reinvests its profits into educational programmes and future job creation. The initiative was developed over several years, beginning under former Deputy Minister Anastasia Anthousi, continuing during the term of Marilena Evangelou and reaching completion under Klea Pappaellina.
To establish the enterprise, Voice for Autism collaborated with the Service of the Commissioner for Cooperative Societies and Social Enterprises and the Department for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. These partnerships contributed to the preparation of the business plan and the official registration process.
Voice for Autism president Helen Georgiou Pontiki said the organisation hopes the project will encourage similar initiatives across Cyprus by combining commercial activity with social impact.
Financial and operational backing came from several private sector partners. The Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation acted as the main supporter of the project, while Ecommbx, Wolt, Dynamec, Cablenet and Windstorm Trading also contributed through funding, services and promotional support.
Legal guidance for the enterprise was provided with assistance from GZG Law Firm and the Commissioner’s Service. Government support included start-up funding and specialised job coaches through the Department for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
Cyprus’ legislation on social enterprises sets rules for registration, operation and supervision through a dedicated registry. The framework recognises two categories of social enterprises, “general purpose” and “social inclusion”, while requiring profits to be reinvested and income to be generated through business activity. The legislation also allows access to European funding opportunities and potential incentives such as tax reductions and targeted subsidies.
True Heart Café is located on Gianni Kranidioti Street in central Nicosia and aims to create an inclusive environment built around community participation and equal opportunity.
