Filenews 7 August 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The Pancyprian Volunteering Coordinating Council (PSSE) has filed an official complaint with the Chairman of the Fundraising Licensing Authority at the Ministry of Interior, denouncing the uncontrolled conduct of illegal fundraisers to support those affected by the recent devastating fires in the Limassol district.
In a relevant briefing of the Council, at the joint session of the Parliamentary Committees on the Interior, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment, on August 5, it is pointed out that all the fundraisers currently being held for the fire victims, except those that have been officially approved, are illegal, as they have not secured the necessary permit as provided for by the current legislation on the conduct of fundraisers.
The CCP is sounding the alarm, referring to a worrying and uncontrolled initiative of groups and bodies, which proceed to public appeals for financial assistance, bypassing the legal process and endangering both citizens and transparency in the management of resources.
As it is emphasized, the only legal ways to support those affected by the fire are:
The Pancyprian fundraiser that has been announced by the Pancyprian Volunteering Coordinating Council itself, which has been licensed according to the Law. The bank account that has been notified by the General Accounting Office of the Republic.
Fundraisers conducted by officially licensed bodies, such as the Cyprus Red Cross, which are included in the approved list of the Ministry of Interior.
The CCP stresses that the legislation is clear: any entity wishing to conduct a fundraiser must first obtain a relevant permit from the competent authority. Otherwise, the act is considered illegal and is subject to sanctions.
The Council also called on citizens to be particularly careful and to offer assistance only through approved channels, so that support reaches where it is really needed. At the same time, he appealed to the competent state authorities to take the necessary surveillance and intervention measures to ensure the implementation of the law and the protection of citizens from malicious or mismanaged initiatives.
