The Cyprus Third Age Observatory (CTAO) is a public benefit, non-profit, non-governmental organisation established in 2015. The organisation is committed to advocating for and safeguarding the rights of older people, ensuring they experience a healthy, active, and dignified ageing process.
The Observatory strives to proactively identify and address the challenges faced by older people, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to Cyprus's social and economic fabric. The organisation strongly advocates for a life free from discrimination for older individuals, emphasising their entitlement to equal opportunities, fair treatment, and full participation in all societal aspects.
The Observatory partners with the Cyprus government in developing and implementing policies and best practices for older people, and is the key organisation in drafting the National Strategic Pland for Older People together with the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. Furthermore, it is recognised as a statutory body via the Cyprus Third Age Council (Council of Ministers' decision in 2018) and a Human Rights Advisory Committee member under the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights (Council of Ministers' decision in 2022). Moreover, the Observatory is an active member of AGE Platform Europe, the Confederation of European Senior Expert Services (CESES) and the Cyprus Coordinative Volunteering Council.
Demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability, the Observatory is registered in the EU Transparency Registry.
Within the framework of the Mentoring Across Borders (MAB) project, CTAO operates as one of the mentoring hubs, bringing together retired people with a wealth of knowledge and experience, with young people in need of support and guidance. CTAO already performed a series of training sessions for mentors and mentees, and is at the stage of matching them through the online platform. MAB is a very important project for CTAO and Cyprus, as it is the first time such an initiative is implemented in the country, and its concept will be inlcuded in the National Strategic Plan for Older People.
