Despina Michaelidou

Despina Michaelidou is a sociologist and gender expert, with a professional background spanning over 15 years in civil society. She holds an MA in Gender Studies and a BA in Sociology and has served as the Project Manager for the EU-funded CERV "Safe-R" programme at the AIDS Solidarity Movement, while she is currently a Community Health Worker at the Cy Checkpoint. A foundational figure in Cypriot LGBTQI+ advocacy, she was a founding member and Vice-Chair of Accept LGBTI Cyprus (2009–2013) and served on the Executive Board of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Youth & Student Organisation (IGLYO). Her extensive institutional portfolio includes co-authoring the Republic of Cyprus's Strategy on Gender Equality (2018–2021) for the Ministry of Justice and acting as a National Expert for the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) First European LGBT Survey.

Grounded in her MA in Gender Studies, Despina provides academic and operational expertise in intersectional analysis. She has coordinated extensive needs assessments regarding LGBTQI+ experiences in the healthcare system and contributed to national gender equality strategies, directly supporting Proud Cyprus' and AIDS Solidarity Movement's focus on LGBTI+ rights, health-related human rights, women and marginalised genders.

As the manager of the CERV "Safe-R" project, Despina successfully organised and implemented accredited training sessions for healthcare professionals across all major cities in Cyprus (south side), alongside co-authoring trilingual clinical guidelines. With over a decade of facilitation experience, spanning IGLYO, the Cyprus Family Planning Association, and various EU Youth in Action programmes, she brings immense pedagogical expertise to Proud Cyprus.

Acting as a frontline Community Health Worker at the Cy Checkpoint, and having previously served as a Women's Refuge Coordinator for Caritas Cyprus (managing complex cases for asylum seekers and vulnerable women), Despina possesses profound grassroots experience. Her background ensures strict adherence to trauma-informed care, safe community mobilisation, and the ethical safeguarding.

Having served as a National Expert for both the FRA and ILGA-Europe's Annual Review, she has a proven ability to translate empirical community data into high-level policy frameworks. Her experience bridging grassroots activism with institutional stakeholders will directly support the democratic dialogue and policy initiatives at Proud Cyprus.

Successfully managed the multi-stakeholder EU-funded public health CERV "Safe-R" program (2024-2026) as the Project Manager of the AIDS Solidarity Movement, organising a series of training sessions to Health Workers, and oversaw the project's implementation in Cyprus.

Joined the team of Community Health Workers at Cy Checkpoint, after a 4-day skill-development training and a 6-month practical training. The Cy Checkpoint is the CBVCT Testing & Prevention Centre of the AIDS Solidarity Movement.

Joined the AIDS Solidarity Movement, Cyprus, as a member and Project Manager, overseeing the implementation of various projects.

Management of results of COVID-19 positive cases and support via phone for the submission of relevant forms and contact tracing. Conducted the communication with workplaces, personal doctors, hospitals and educational establishments for contact tracing purposes. 

Managed and coordinated women’s refuge and case management of asylum seekers. More specifically, Despina covered relevant needs to women giving birth, support in hospital visits for asylum seekers physical and mental health, provision of medication from hospital pharmacies or outside, support in relevant ministries, court, governmental offices for papers such as birth certificates, asylum process, and more. Despina conducted the communication with social welfare for asylum seekers cases for their allowances, managed the organisation's volunteers, including the collection and management of children clothes and handling of relevant requests for children, as well as preparation of bags for pregnant women. She collaborated with other governmental organisations and NGOs for the purposes of management of each case's needs and process.   

Despina contributed as a co-author of the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice 'Strategy on Gender Equality' (2018- 2021). 

Despina worked as a Project Coordinator for the Greek Cypriot Community and Advocacy Trainer for the project ‘’Women as advocates for peace and human rights’’, funded by the US Embassy in Cyprus, employed by the Management Centre. 

Heavily involved in the preparation and dissemination of Social Media Campaign “IDAHOBIT 2012: Life is not just Black & White" on behalf of Accept LGBTI Cyprus, funded by the European Commission in Cyprus.

Despina was the Project Coordinator of the 'One Love – an LGBT video campaign' project. on behalf of the 'One Love' team. 

• September 2010 – June 2012: Project Manager - her resposibilities included reporting and financial management of the following: 

  • 2010-2011, ‘Celebrating Diversity and Volunteerism’ (EC funded project, bi-communal) 

  • 2011, 'Digital Media and Competitions' (EC funded project) 

  • 2011, 'Free Style Facilitation; training of facilitators (Youth in Action project) 

  • 2011-2012, 'Raising Horizons' (Grundtvig, Senior Volunteerism project) 

  • 2012, 'Web Development and Support Services' (EC funded project) 

Coordinated the 1st International Bi-Communal Conference 'Health and Education: towards inclusion in the LGBT community', funded by the US Embassy in Cyprus, on behalf of Accept LGBTI Cyprus. 

Despina was involved in the 'Celebrating Diversity and Volunteerism’ project, as a Capacity Building Consultant for Civil Society Organisations, on behalf of the NGO Support Centre, funded by the European Commission in Cyprus.

Founding member of Accept LGBTI Cyprus, the first NGO ever registered officially in the Republic of Cyprus, exclusively focusing on LGBTI visibility (2010). Involved in the “Cyprus Pride” preparation process, organised by Accept LGBTI Cyprus (2013).

Program officer. Her main responsibilities included:

• Volunteer management, Planning and execution of training programs on Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights. Sex educator in primary, secondary school students and university students.

• Helpline management including supervision and management of volunteers.

• Policy and position papers development on Sexuality Education, Discrimination and Sexual orientation.

• Advocacy and networking with other youth NGO’s national and European ones, including YSAFE, YouAct, Cyprus Youth Council.

• Partnership building with other youth NGOs in EU.

• Fundraising, proposal writing, communications and media work.