The Management Committee of the Independent Social Support Body (ISSB) held an urgent meeting on Monday, 12 January 2026, following the public announcement by the First Lady, Mrs. Filippa Karsera Christodoulides, of her resignation from her duties as President.
The members of the Management Committee expressed their regret over the First Lady’s resignation and urged Mrs. Karsera to reconsider her decision, noting that her departure could negatively affect the continuation of the ISSB’s work, which has supported students from families facing serious socioeconomic challenges since 2015. The ISSB’s honorary members, who attended part of the meeting via teleconference, expressed the same view and shared their perspectives on the matter.
Mrs. Karsera warmly thanked the members of the Management Committee; however, she reiterated that her decision to resign is final. She emphasized that the immediate priority is to ensure that all students who applied for the 2025/2026 academic year and meet the eligibility criteria receive their aid. The First Lady’s secretary informed the Board that 1,800 applications are currently pending for evaluation.
Accordingly, the Management Committee decided to recommend to the Minister of Labour and Social Security, as the competent authority for the implementation of the applicable legislation, that the Council of Ministers be informed of the Committee’s intentions as follows: any decision taken should, first, prioritize the uninterrupted continuation and completion of the evaluation process for applications for the current academic year; second, ensure that any reserve funds continue to be allocated exclusively to students who meet the existing eligibility criteria; and third, establish arrangements that guarantee that no eligible student is left without aid or denied access to higher education.
Moreover, the Management Committee of the ISSB will submit recommendations aimed at ensuring the continuation of the Body’s important social work, while taking into account all opinions and concerns expressed to date.
Until the Council of Ministers reaches its final decisions, the Accountant General of the Republic of Cyprus, in his capacity as the Body’s treasurer, recommended the immediate implementation of the arrangement submitted in December by the Audit Service. The arrangement, proposed by the Auditor General, provides that for any donation exceeding €20,000, the donor’s consent is required for the publication of their name and the amount donated; otherwise, the contribution will not be accepted.
In conclusion, the Management Committee of the ISSB categorically rejects the baseless claims aimed at undermining the Body’s work and credibility, emphasizing that all donations are made exclusively via transfers to the Central Bank. Furthermore, the Auditor General conducted a thorough audit, reviewing all donor records and scholarships awarded since 2015, and found no evidence of irregularity or illegality. The publication of donors’ names, most of whose logos appear on the ISSB website, is not carried out because it is not permitted under the law, a position that has also been upheld by the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Nicosia, 13 January 2026