ENA Foundation has announced a major donation to construct the “ENA for Children” Activity and Education Centre in Parekklisia, in the Limassol district, a new multi-purpose facility for kids with autism, set to strengthen the network of support available to children and families in Cyprus significantly.
The announcement was made on April 2, 2026, “World Autism Awareness Day”, as part of a special event held in Limassol, which also marked the official launch of ENA Foundation, founded by businessman Tasos Papanastasiou. The evening brought together representatives of the state, political and public life, the business community, the media, and civil society.
At the event, ENA Foundation President Panicos Symeou, and the President of the Cyprus Association for People with Autism, Tasoula Georgiadou signed a memorandum of cooperation for the construction of the Centre. The agreement marks the beginning of a partnership with a clear social purpose and a long-term perspective, united by a shared goal: creating a modern, comprehensive support structure for children with autism.
A centre with wide-ranging services
The “ENA for Children” Activity and Education Centre will operate as a multi-purpose, specially designed space for children with autism. The project will be developed on a plot with a total area of 2,872 sq.m and will include 11 activity rooms, seven therapy rooms, a swimming pool, as well as three outdoor areas that will serve as age-specific playgrounds. The Centre will be able to support approximately 70 children, from infancy through to the age of 18, offering therapy services, creative activities and personalised educational programs. Services to be provided will include occupational therapy, sensory integration, speech therapy, music therapy, special education and hydrotherapy.
“The creation of the ‘ENA for Children’ Activity and Education Centre is a tangible expression of ENA Foundation’s vision to support initiatives with meaningful social value and lasting impact,” said founder and principal donor of the ENA Foundation Papanastasiou. “We believe that children with autism and their families deserve access to high-quality, comprehensive and consistent support services. Through this project, we want to make a meaningful contribution to the creation of an environment of care, safety and opportunity.”
In his remarks, ENA Foundation President Symeou referred to the Foundation’s purpose, the philosophy behind its establishment and the programmes it is already implementing, underlining the Foundation’s commitment to investing in initiatives with substance, long-term value and genuine social impact. As he noted, ENA Foundation focuses its work on interventions that address real social needs and create meaningful impact.
For her part, Cyprus Association for People with Autism President Georgiadou described the moment as a milestone for the Cyprus Association for People with Autism, stressing that it represents the fulfilment of a goal of particular importance for the Association and for the families it has supported over the years.
In her speech, Georgiadou referred to the Association’s journey from 1990 to the present day, the long-standing effort carried out with limited means but unwavering dedication, as well as its enduring commitment to ensuring that no child and no family is left alone on the journey of autism. As she noted, throughout all these years, programmes were developed, therapies were provided and parents were supported, while the creation of a new, purpose-built permanent space marks a decisive step forward for the Association.
Georgiadou also expressed her warm thanks to ENA Foundation and its founders, businessman Papanastasiou and co-founder and visionary Christiana Panayi, for their support, trust and tangible contribution to the implementation of a project of exceptional value for children with autism and their families.
Centre operations slated to begin in 2028
Under the agreement, ENA Foundation will undertake the full design, licensing and construction of the project, without any financial burden on the Pancyprian Association for People with Autism. The architectural plans have already been completed, and the implementation process is progressing to meet the projected timelines. The Centre is scheduled to become fully operational in January 2028.
The event also highlighted the broader vision of ENA Foundation, which develops its work through social, cultural and creative initiatives. In this context, Antigoni Buxton was also present at the event. This year, she will represent Cyprus at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “JALLA”. Buxton is the first artist to be supported by ENA Foundation under its new OPEN CANVAS pillar. This support reflects both her artistic journey and her ability, through her international presence and especially her participation in Eurovision, to promote Cyprus abroad.
For more information, please contact ENA Foundation via email at [email protected] or by telephone at +357 22 777011.
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