As part of the EU-CoE joint project “Technical Support for More Effective and Resilient National Preventive Mechanisms,” a dedicated Project Panel has been established to lead efforts in reinforcing the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of Cyprus. The Project Panel held its inaugural meeting on 21 March 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from national authorities and relevant institutions to set strategic priorities and explore measures to enhance cooperation and capacity-building.

The first meeting of the Project Panel became also a concluding point of a week-long comprehensive needs assessment with a series of meetings with stakeholders to evaluate their understanding of the NPM’s mandate and cooperation level. The assessment provided valuable insights into the specific obstacles faced by the NPM and formulated preliminary recommendations already discussed by the Project Panel.

Stakeholders expressed strong commitment to the project’s goals, recognising the importance of sustained efforts and cooperation to ensure a better protection of human rights of people deprived of their liberty. Key areas identified for follow-up actions include capacity-building activities, enhanced public awareness, and improved implementation mechanisms for the NPM’s recommendations.

The project, "Technical support for more effective and resilient National Preventive Mechanisms," was initiated on 12 September 2024. Co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission, the project supports Ireland and Cyprus in developing operational tools, raising awareness, and enhancing the capacity of NPMs.