The ENA Foundation has announced a major donation for the construction of the “ENA for Children” Education and Activity Centre in Parekklisia, in the Limassol district, a new multi-purpose facility for children with autism that is set to significantly strengthen Cyprus’s support network for children and families.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 2 April 2026, on World Autism Awareness Day, during a special event in Limassol, which also marked the official presentation of the ENA Foundation, founded by entrepreneur Tasos Papanastasiou. The evening brought together representatives from government, political and public life, the business community, the media, and civil society.
At the heart of the event was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation for the construction of the Centre by Mr Panikos Symeou, President of the ENA Foundation, and Ms Tassoula Georgiadou, President of the Pancyprian Association for People with Autism. The agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration with a clear social purpose and long-term perspective, with the shared goal of creating a modern and comprehensive support structure for children with autism.
The “ENA for Children” Education and Activity 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, 7 therapy rooms, a swimming pool, and three outdoor areas that will serve as playgrounds designed according to age group. The Centre will be able to support approximately 70 children, from infancy up to the age of 18, offering therapies, creative activities, and individualised educational programmes. Services to be provided will include occupational therapy, sensory integration, speech therapy, music therapy, special education, and hydrotherapy.
Tasos Papanastasiou, founder and principal donor of the ENA Foundation, stated: “The creation of the ‘ENA for Children’ Education and Activity Centre is a tangible reflection of the ENA Foundation’s vision to support initiatives with meaningful and lasting social value. We believe that children with autism and their families deserve access to high-quality, comprehensive, and consistent support services. Through this project, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to the creation of an environment of care, safety, and opportunity.”
In his address, Mr Panikos Symeou, President of the ENA Foundation, referred to the Foundation’s mission, the philosophy behind its creation, and the programmes it is already implementing, underlining the Foundation’s commitment to investing in initiatives with substance, continuity, and real social value. As he noted, the ENA Foundation develops its work with a focus on interventions that respond to genuine social needs and create meaningful impact.
For her part, Ms Tassoula Georgiadou described the moment as a milestone for the Pancyprian Association for People with Autism, emphasising that it represents the fulfilment of a goal of particular importance both for the Association and for the families it has supported over time. In her speech, she referred to the Association’s journey from 1990 to the present day, the long-standing effort made with limited resources but unwavering commitment, and its enduring dedication to ensuring that no child and no family is left alone on the autism journey. As she pointed out, throughout all these years, programmes were developed, therapies were provided, and parents were supported, while the creation of a new, privately owned facility constitutes a development of decisive importance for the Association’s next step.
At the same time, she expressed her warm thanks to the ENA Foundation and its founders—entrepreneur Tasos Papanastasiou and co-founder and visionary Christiana Panayi—for their support, trust, and practical contribution to the implementation of a project of special value for children with autism and their families.
Under the agreement, the ENA Foundation will undertake the full design, licensing, and construction of the project, with no financial burden on the Pancyprian Association for People with Autism. The architectural plans have already been completed, and the implementation process is moving forward with the aim of meeting the scheduled timelines. The Centre is expected to become fully operational in January 2028.
At the same time, the event also highlighted the broader vision of the ENA Foundation, which develops its work through social, cultural, and creative initiatives. In this context, Antigoni Buxton was also present, who this year will represent Cyprus in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “JALLA.” Antigoni Buxton is the first artist to be supported by the ENA Foundation under its new OPEN CANVAS pillar. This support is linked both to her artistic journey and to her ability, through her international presence—and especially her participation in Eurovision—to promote Cyprus abroad.
