Who we are
Part of the Vela network, rooted in Cyprus
Vela Cyprus was founded in October 2023 and serves as the coordination hub of the Vela network. In Cyprus, our work focuses on child protection and education.
Vela Cyprus is a member of the constellation of Vela organisations operating in Greece, Poland and Cyprus, united by a shared commitment to humanitarian work. Vela's mission is to stand alongside the most vulnerable, offering protection, education and the tools needed to build a dignified and self-reliant future.
Our work is grounded in the belief that every person, and especially every child, holds the potential to thrive when given the right support. In Cyprus we focus on child protection and education as the foundation for long-term social and economic integration. We design safe, inclusive environments where children can recover from trauma, rebuild their confidence, and develop the academic and life skills needed for lasting success.
Through a combination of targeted education programmes, psychosocial support and active community engagement, Vela Cyprus aims to bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and lasting opportunity.
Cyprus is also where the Vela network's strategy is coordinated: shared standards and policies, management of European programmes (AMIF, DAPHNE, CERV, JUST, Erasmus+) and the development of new initiatives across the three countries.
Child protection
The best interests of the child guide every decision — from how we design a workshop to how we work with shelters.
Education
Language, school and life skills are the surest path to inclusion — which is why they sit at the core of our work.
Psychosocial support
Recovery from trauma, confidence and wellbeing — for children and for the people who care for them.
Community
We work with shelters, services and municipalities — and with people themselves — towards communities without exclusion.
Our team
Leadership
Μαριλένα Ιωαννίδου · Marilena Ioannidou
Director
Over two decades leading projects that create lasting change across the humanitarian field, social policy, business development and education. Has guided large-scale projects worth over USD 30 million. MBA (CIIM), BA in Psychology and French (Macalester College). At Vela she oversees policy, quality control, and monitoring and evaluation.
Παντελής Δημητρίου · Pantelis Dimitriou
Director
More than 25 years driving operational optimisation, strategic growth and the management of national and international funding. Global Thinkers Forum Award for Excellence in Humanitarian Work (2017). BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance (University of East London). At Vela he leads global strategy, new initiatives, donor relations and strategic partnerships.