President Nikos Christodoulides has highlighted the importance of social inclusion as plans advance for a new autism day centre in Strovolos. The centre will be built on state-owned land in the Agios Dimitrios parish and will support up to 30 people.
Centre designed around safety and independence
The facility will have a total gross floor area of up to approximately 740 square metres. Christodoulides said the project responds to a pressing social need, including support for adults and young people, families carrying significant care responsibilities and professionals requiring suitable facilities.
He said the aim is for the centre to become a model of quality, combining safety and calm with learning and skills development.
€2 million Eurobank donation
The President recalled that the Cabinet approved the construction of the centre in November 2025, along with the acceptance of a €2 million donation from Eurobank.
Under the arrangement, the state will be responsible for furnishing, equipping, operating and maintaining the facility, while Eurobank is funding the study, design, construction and supervision of the project.
Eurobank CEO Michalis Louis said the bank would cover the €2 million construction budget, describing the project as an initiative aimed at providing care, support and greater independence for people with autism.
Architectural design focuses on sensory needs
The winning proposal by architects Chrysostomos Theodoropoulos, Eleni Livani and Panagiota Karamanea was selected for its functional clarity and simplicity.
The competition attracted 37 entries, with the winning design centred on creating conditions of safety, autonomy, calm and participation.
The building will consist of ground-floor enclosed and semi-outdoor spaces arranged around an internal courtyard. The courtyard will serve as a central point for orientation, movement, natural light and contact with nature.
The design also includes a sensory garden and a gradual transition from the surrounding urban environment into quieter spaces. The architects said the layout is intended to reduce complexity and strengthen users’ sense of control and safety.
Support for adults over 22
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou said the centre will provide a modern day-support structure for people over 22 with specialised needs.
Programmes will include creative activities, empowerment, skills development and gradual social inclusion.
Pavlou said the aim is not simply to provide a safe place, but a meaningful daily routine with personalised support, opportunities for participation and respect for each person’s abilities and needs.
The Social Welfare Deputy Ministry will oversee the state-owned land, building requirements, licensing and acceptance of the completed facilities. It will also fund the centre’s operation and maintenance.
The Christos Stelios Ioannou Foundation will be responsible for running the programmes and recruiting the required specialised staff.
Another centre planned in Famagusta district
Christodoulides also announced that the government is moving ahead with a Model Autism Centre in the free Famagusta district, with a cost of €4.5 million. Implementation has already begun, he said.
The Nicosia centre forms part of Cyprus’ wider National Strategy and Action Plan for Autism 2024–2028, which includes measures covering different stages of life for people with autism.
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