On 1 January 2026, Cyprus took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, a role it will hold until 30 June 2026. For organisations working in social services and disability support, the start of a new EU Presidency is always an important moment.

What is the Council's Presidency, and why does it matter?

The Council is one of the EU’s main decision-making bodies, where national governments meet to agree on laws and policies. The Presidency rotates every six months between Member States. The Presidency plays a crucial agenda-setting and coordinating role by:

• Deciding which topics are prioritised in Council discussions;
• Chairing meetings of ministers and technical working groups;
• Acting as a bridge between Member States, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

The Presidency matters because it can influence how strongly social policies, disability rights, employment, care and support services are addressed at EU level.

Cyprus’ priorities: a strong social dimension

Cyprus has framed its Presidency around the idea of an “Autonomous Union, Open to the World”, while placing clear emphasis on social cohesion, inclusion and fundamental rights.

The Presidency aims to promote access to quality social and care services, strengthen inclusion in employment and skills development and address poverty and social exclusion. Cyprus also underlined the need to invest in people, recognising that social services, care and support workers are essential for resilient societies and sustainable economies.

Finally, the Presidency has signalled continued commitment to fundamental rights, participation and equality, creating political space to advance disability inclusion across EU policies, not as a niche topic, but as a cross-cutting priority.

Full presidency programme: Programme of the Cyprus Presidency

Spotlight event: High-level conference on disability inclusion

A key moment will be the High-Level Conference on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, taking place in Nicosia. The event will bring together policymakers, EU institutions, civil society and experts to discuss how to turn rights into reality.

The conference will focus on inclusion in education, employment and community life, access to support services and the implementation of EU and international disability frameworks.

The Cyprus Presidency offers a valuable opportunity and creates political momentum to:

• Strengthen recognition of quality social services;
• Push for inclusive employment and skills policies;
• Ensure disability rights are embedded across EU decision-making.

The coming months will be important for dialogue, advocacy and visibility. EASPD will closely follow the Presidency’s work, engage with key events, and continue to represent the voice of service providers supporting persons with disabilities across Europe.