The District Coordinating Council of Volunteerism of Limassol is the coordinating body of the Voluntary Organizations of our city and district. All district Voluntary Organizations participate through their representatives. Its purpose, in accordance with Law 61(I)/2006, is to coordinate the activities of Voluntary Organizations and the Community Volunteerism Councils of the city and district of Limassol. At the same time, through conferences, training seminars, lectures, public discussions, publications, and other activities, it seeks to cultivate a spirit of social contribution and solidarity among the public and to promote the greatest possible cooperation and mutual support among Voluntary Organizations.
The District Coordinating Council of Volunteerism of Limassol publishes the newspaper “Symporefsi” (Marching Together), aiming to spread the message and importance of social contribution, record the activities of its member Voluntary Organizations, contribute to solving issues related to volunteerism, and enhance its quality.
The District Coordinating Council of Volunteerism of Limassol operates three separate programs:
A. Limassol Volunteer Corps
The purpose of the Volunteer Corps is to create a team of individuals who, after receiving appropriate training, offer their services to individuals or Voluntary Organizations. They serve people of all ages who are in need of support or assistance, such as individuals living alone, persons with disabilities, the elderly, patients, children with special needs, or those with learning difficulties.
B. Social First Aid Centre
Since 2013, when Cyprus was affected by a severe economic crisis and many individuals and families were deprived of basic necessities, the District Coordinating Council of Volunteerism of Limassol established this program. Through it, food, baby supplies, cleaning products, and other essentials are regularly provided to these families, following an assessment of their financial situation by the Centre’s Committee. The Centre’s resources come from public donations and activities organized by the District Coordinating Council of Volunteerism of Limassol.
C. Community Work
The “Unpaid Community Work” program has been operating since 2005 under the supervision of the Pancyprian Coordinating Council of Volunteerism, in cooperation with the Social Welfare Services. The program is implemented locally through the District Coordinating Councils of Volunteerism. The institution of community work as an alternative sentence, instead of a fine or imprisonment, was introduced in Cyprus with the enactment of the Probation of Offenders Law of 1996 (Law 46(I)/96).
According to the legislation, the Court, after considering the circumstances—including the nature of the offence and the socio-economic situation of the offender—may issue a Probation Order which may include additional work conditions. Probation Orders last from one to three years, during which the individual must maintain regular contact with a Social Welfare Services Officer, who is appointed as the Probation Officer.
A person sentenced to community work continues their regular employment and fulfills family obligations, while also providing community service during scheduled hours, under the supervision of a qualified officer, until the required hours imposed by the Court are completed. The aim of the program is to support the rehabilitation of the offender through community service and cooperation with the Probation Officer and Supervisor, helping them to understand their offence and avoid repeating it.
The Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry actively promotes volunteerism, recognizing it as a key pillar of social cohesion and sustainable development. Through collaborations with civil society organizations and by strengthening Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), it encourages businesses to play a meaningful role in society, contributing to initiatives that support education, the environment, and citizens’ well-being. At the same time, it fosters dialogue and synergies, cultivating a culture of contribution and responsibility that strengthens the bonds between businesses and society.
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