Ten years after the establishment of Cy Checkpoint (2015-2024), the Information, Prevention and Testing Centre of AIDS Solidarity Movement (Movement) for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), the Movement is launching the ‘Cyprus PrEP Point’. The project will be launched and presented on 29 May 2025 at 6:30 pm, in the Movement’s offices in Nicosia, at 44-46 Vasileiou Voulgaroktonou str., 1st floor, Apt. 1, 1010 Nicosia, in the presence of Dr Elisavet Constantinou, Deputy Director General, Director of Medical Services and Public Health Services of the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Health, and chairwoman of the National AIDS Committee.

The Cyprus PrEP Point will be the Community Information and Empowerment Centre regarding PrEP for HIV (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis), run by the Community for the Community, aiming for effective information, support, and guidance for those who have chosen to take PrEP at their own responsibility, despite the fact that it is not yet officially available in the Republic of Cyprus. The Movement declares June 2025 as the ‘PrEP Month’, presenting a series of presentations and open discussions that will be announced during the event of 29 May 2025. Updated information on PrEP will be published in October 2025, in 4 languages, with support from EATG SCOPE: Amplifying Community Voices for Prevention. 

A bit of context: 

2018: The AIDS Solidarity Movement, together with Accept LGBTI Cyprus, implemented the “PrEP in Cyprus” survey (2018), which was based on 'Flash! PrEP in Europe’ survey (2016). The project that was funded by ILGA Europe showcased the existing gaps in public health and HIV prevention in Cyprus. The Movement also participated in the “PrEP in Europe” Summit in Amsterdam, on 9-10 February, 2018.

2019: The AIDS Solidarity Movement, together with Accept LGBTI Cyprus, organised a local conference titled “PrEP in Cyprus” (2019), where the results of the 2018-survey were presented, together with community data from Cy Checkpoint. The results were presented by Prof Giorgos Nikolopoulos (University of Cyprus). Dr Ioannis Mameletzis, W.H.O. Europe PrEP expert, also presented the importance of PrEP to combat the increasing HIV transmission rates in the region, while Mr Sophocles Chanos, then representative of the Greek Association of People Living with HIV, Positive Voice Greece, presented the PrEP pilot programme that was running in Greece. The Conference was funded by the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Health. The Movement also participated in the “PrEP in Europe” Summit in Warsaw, on 09-12 October, 2019.

2019-onwards: The AIDS Solidarity Movement continued advocating for official access to PrEP in Cyprus, with participation in the Health Committee meeting of the House of Representatives (2019), and numerous other public appearances on local and international media, as well as community interventions and training sessions (2019 - onwards).

2024: The Republic of Cyprus National AIDS Committee, of which the AIDS Solidarity Movement is an active member since 2016, approved the proposed implementation plan for official access to PrEP in Cyprus. The proposal was sent to the Minister of Health in October 2024 and was approved as submitted.

2025: The AIDS Solidarity Movement launches the Cyprus PrEP Point, its Community Information and Empowerment Centre, run by the community for the community, aiming for effective information, support, and guidance for those who have chosen to take PrEP.

This initiative is implemented by the AIDS Solidarity Movement, without any external funding. However, its aims and goals are officially supported by the following local organisations and international networks:

• AIDS Action Europe, a network of more than 350 community organisation in Europe and Central Asia - https://www.aidsactioneurope.org

• EATG: European AIDS Treatment Group, a network of individuals living with HIV and/or working in the HIV field in Europe and Central Asia - https://www.eatg.org

• Accept LGBTI Cyprus - https://accept.cy

• Queer Collective Cy - https://lnk.bio/queercollectivecy

• Cyprus Family Planning Association - https://www.familyplanning.org.cy

• Cyprus Refugee Council - https://www.cyrefugeecouncil.org