There seems to be a mess in the Youth Board of Cyprus with the Audit Office conducting an investigation, fearing that it no longer serves the role of its existence. ONEK has been plagued by serious complaints for months, while for more than 2.5 months it has been operating without a board of directors, after the resignations of three of its members.
According to complaints made to the Audit Office and at the same time to "F", among other things, the organization seems to be plagued by irregularities, mismanagement, lack of transparency, and even workplace bullying. He also told us that its smooth operation is being hindered and that it is at a dead end.
The problems, as we are informed, have been of concern to the Audit Office for a long time, which a few weeks ago sent a letter to the Ministry of Education, expressing concern about what is happening in the organization, asking to be informed about any actions that are being taken.
Among others, the following complaints are to be investigated:
» Incidents of workplace bullying are being identified. It was reported, in particular, that employees of ONEK repeatedly received messages to avoid discussions or even meetings with members of the board of directors of ONEK, without first informing.
Direct assignments were made for the purchase of products and services, several times to the same natural or legal persons.
» Consecutive direct awards were made for the EkfraCY online platform.
» A retired employee, who retired in August 2025, was directly assigned through the purchase of services. The person in question continues to work at ONEK.
» There is no adequate control of direct awards by the ONEK.
» An officer of the ONEK was promoted from the A8 scale to the A13 scale, based on a 2022 decision for which not all the legal and necessary documents have been secured to justify the said request of the ONEK. That is, the minutes and the order of the meeting during which the request was approved.
Funds to the party organizations are approved by the board of directors of ONEK (before the resignations), while its own members are also members of these party organizations.
» The working hours are not observed by specific employees of the ONEK.
"There are issues in relation to the meetings of the board of directors of the ONEK and the agenda that is being formed. On the basis of this complaint, it was underlined that the president is sidelined and the meetings are postponed very regularly.
» Fewer people are appointed to the board of directors of the NEC than the planned number. This, according to the complaint, constitutes abuse of power and corruption, as the members are given the opportunity to fully and undemocratically control the operation of the NEK.
» ONEK has been without an executive director for the last five years, as of 5/3/2021.
At the meeting where the members of the board of directors resigned, one of the issues that was to be discussed was the dismissal of the former president of ONEK and now convicted, Giannis Giannakis.
» The staff evaluations, which should have been sent to the employees of the ONEK by 31/3/2026, were not carried out.
» Certified minutes are not sent to the Audit Office and the Ministry of Education.
How does Konstantina Achilleos respond?
The president of ONEK, Konstantina Achilleos, asked to answer about the complaints against the organization, said that "I expect an investigation from the Audit Office and the Ministry of Education. I do not want to make any other statement until then."
Under the microscope of the Audit Office
The Audit Office has been conducting a regulatory and management audit of the way the Youth Board of Cyprus operates in recent days.
As "F" is informed, it was preceded by a letter from the Audit Office, which was sent at the end of February to the general director of the Ministry of Education.
In this letter, the Audit Office, attaching complaints it has received, expresses concern about what prevails in the Youth Board of Cyprus, as well as the fact that it seems to be an organization in dissolution.
The Audit Office expresses concern about the way the ONEK operates, especially after the resignation of members of the board of directors, and asks the Ministry of Education whether it has investigated the complaints - many of which have seen the light of day - while also asking what measures are taken by the Ministry of Education to resolve any issues.
On behalf of the Audit Office, it was reported to us that an audit has begun at the ONEK. "There is serious concern about what is happening, as well as whether the ONEK is responding to its role."
