Bio
Costa Gavrielides is Consultant on Diversity, Equality, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). With many years of experience advising governments and companies on strategies related to increasing diversity, he promotes policies both in society and in the workplace.
Costa has a wealth of experience in promoting diversity and inclusion, having served as the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Cyprus for the Promotion of Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity (PASD) from May 2018 to February 2023. In this role, he provided critical advice to several levels of government on how to promote diversity, particularly with regard to the LGBTQI+ community. He also assisted in drafting bills, including the Civil Union Law and the Bill on Legal Gender Recognition in Cyprus.
Today, Costa serves as Cyprus' representative on the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI) of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the CDADI Working Group on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Gender Characteristics (GT-ADI-SOGI), since the setting up of the Group in March 2022. Since October, 2019 Costa has served as Co-Chair of the European Governmental LGBTQI+ Focal Points Network (EFPN) and chaired the IDAHOT+ Forum 2022 held in Limassol in May 2022.
He is a member of the Bi-communal Technical Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, which acts as a complement to the main work of the Cyprus negotiation and aims to bring together people from both communities on a number of issues.
In addition, as coordinator of the Cyprus Inter-Ministerial Committee for the implementation of the LGBTQ+ Memorandum of Understanding between Cyprus and the UK, Costa led, on behalf of Cyprus, the coordination of actions between the two governments for the protection of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Europe and the Commonwealth.
Costa also co-founded Accept-LGBTI Cyprus, the first LGBTQI+ organisation in the Republic of Cyprus, where he served as the first elected President from May 2012 to December 2017. During this time, he spearheaded the organisation of the first Cyprus Pride Festival in 2014, an event that was strongly contested, particularly by the Church of Cyprus. At the time the Pride March attracted over 4,500 participants, making it one of the most successful marches on social issues in the country. He oversaw the organisation of the subsequent Cyprus Pride Marches that followed, until 2018.
In addition, Costa served as a Member and Treasurer of the Executive Board of the pan-European LGBTI organisation ILGA-Europe in Brussels between 2014 and 2018. The organisation includes 700 member-organisations from 54 countries in Europe and Central Asia that are promoting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the region.
Costa is a graduate of the English School in Nicosia. He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration and Information Technology and a Master's degree in Electronic Commerce, obtained with Merit, from the University of Westminster, London. He lived and worked in London for 10 years before returning to Cyprus in 2009.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DE&I) Business Consultant with experience in the airline/air transport and computer industry. Former Advisor to the President of the Republic of Cyprus on Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity. DISY Policy Secretary for LGBTI issues. Coordinator of the LGBTI+ & DISY Allies Group.
HONORARY POSITIONS
CYPRIOT REPUBLIC
ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS ON DIVERSITY, ACCEPTANCE AND RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY, May 2018 - Feb 2023
I was appointed by the President of the Republic of Cyprus as an advisor on multiculturalism and diversity issues. In this role, I promoted the rights for the acceptance and protection of especially, but not only, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ persons and persons with disabilities. I worked closely with government ministers and coordinated the actions of ministry officials in these areas. I undertook training through talks and meetings on Diversity. On these issues, I represented Cyprus in international committees of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
The Commission worked to coordinate the actions of the two governments within the Council of Europe, the European Governmental Network of LGBTQ+ Focal Points (EFPN) and the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) on LGBTQ+ rights.
MEMBER OF THE JOINT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, Feb 2020 - Today
The Commission operates with the assistance of the United Nations and aims to resolve day-to-day humanitarian issues between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus.
SYPOPROPOYOR OF EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTAL LGBTI+ FOCAL POINTS NETWORK (EFPN - EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTAL LGBTI+ FOCAL POINTS NETWORK), Oct 2019 - Today
EFPN is a network of government representatives and experts from Council of Europe member countries. The purpose of the network is to share information, best practice, promote cooperation and support governments in their efforts to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Cyprus' representative to the Council of Europe's Consultative Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI - STEERING COMMITTEE ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION), Mar 2022 - Today
CDADI is a Council of Europe body that works to combat discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion in Europe. It deals with issues such as migrant integration, intercultural integration, hate crimes, verbal hate, equality and protection of the rights of Roma and Travellers, equality in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
VICE-CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE WORKING GROUP ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION & GENDER CHARACTERISTICS (GT-ADI-SOGI), March 2022 - Today
I was elected as Vice-Chair of the GT-ADI-SOGI Working Group by the Member States of the Council of Europe in March 2022 and again in March 2023. The Working Group is examining the implementation of measures to combat LGBTQ+ discrimination and developing a draft Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the Rights of Persons with Gender-Differentiated (intersex).
DEMOCRATIC ALARM
OFFICIAL CANDIDATE OF APPOINTMENT AVEROF NEOFTOU, Jan 2023
In the 2023 Presidential Elections, I was one of the 100 citizens who co-signed the candidacy of Averof Neophytou for the Presidency of the Republic.
LGBTQ+ POLICY SECRETARY, May 2022 - Today
As LGBTQ+ Policy Secretary, I am the Coordinator of the Democratic Rally's "LGBTQ+ & Allies Group". The Group is made up of members and friends of DISY and seeks to enhance internal education, and promote understanding to help combat discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
OFFICIAL Candidate NIKOS ANASTASIADI, Jan 2018
In the 2018 Presidential Elections, I was one of the 100 citizens who co-signed the candidacy of Nicos Anastasiades for the Presidency of the Republic.
CIVIL SOCIETY
ILGA-EUROPE, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, Oct. 2014 - Oct. 2018
Elected Board Member and Treasurer (2018).
ACCEPT - LGBTI CYPRUS
Co-Founder
Chairman of the Board of Directors, May 2012 - Dec 2017
Member of the Steering Committee for the Registration of the Organization, Jan 2010 - May 2012
Member of the Board of Directors, May 2022 - Today
Elected Board Member and Treasurer (2018).
ACCEPT - LGBTI CYPRUS
Co-Founder
Chairman of the Board of Directors, May 2012 - Dec 2017
Member of the Steering Committee for the Registration of the Organization, Jan 2010 - May 2012
Member of the Board of Directors, May 2022 - Today
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BUSINESS ADVISOR for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, LEXOSIA Mar 2023 - Today
Providing consultancy services to businesses and organisations, helping them to integrate diversity, equality and inclusion practices into their corporate culture and operations.
ARAB FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOMS & EQUALITY (CYPRUS), NICOSIA
SECRETARY, Jan 2020 - Jun 2022
Organization that promotes LGBTI and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through targeted trainings. As Secretary, I assisted in the day-to-day running of the organisation in Cyprus.
HUNGAIR TRAVEL, NICOSIA
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - URAL AIRLINES LARNACAS & PAPHOS AIRPORT MANAGER, Feb 2012 - Mar 2022
Responsible for the operations of the Russian Airline Ural Airlines at Larnaca and Pafos airports.
Responsible for the operations of the Russian Airline Ural Airlines at Larnaca and Pafos airports.
SALES & MARKETING MANAGER MALÉV HUNGARIAN AIRLINES LARNACAS AIRPORT, Jan 2009 - Feb 2012
Sales and Marketing Manager in Cyprus for Malév Hungarian Airlines and Larnaca Station Manager.
AVRION LTD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
CRM SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER / ANALYST, May 2003 - Nov 2008
Sage CRM and Maximizer CRM Developer for the SME market. Responsibilities included business and consulting needs analysis for companies.
HOME TUTORS LTD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Sales and Marketing Manager in Cyprus for Malév Hungarian Airlines and Larnaca Station Manager.
AVRION LTD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
CRM SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER / ANALYST, May 2003 - Nov 2008
Sage CRM and Maximizer CRM Developer for the SME market. Responsibilities included business and consulting needs analysis for companies.
HOME TUTORS LTD, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
HONOURED EDUCATOR - BUSINESS STUDIES A-LEVEL & MATHS GCSE, Oct 2002 - May 2004
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
MSC E-COMMERCE (WITH MERIT), Oct 2001 - Oct 2002
BA(HONS), BUSINESS STUDIES (BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) (2:2), 1999 - Oct. 2001
BA(HONS), BUSINESS STUDIES (BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY) (2:2), 1999 - Oct. 2001
ENGLISH SCHOOL OF LEFKOSIA, Sep 1989 - Jun 1996
LANGUAGES
- GREEK (Native)
- ENGLISH (Excellent)
- GERMAN (Satisfactory)
- RUSSIAN (Medium)
- FRENCH (Basic)
EVENT ORGANISATION (SELECTED)
EMPOWERING AN EVOLVING WORKFORCE: UNLOCKING THE POWER OF DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, INCLUSION AND RESPECT FOR THE LGBT+ COMMUNITY, 25 Jan 2023
ORGANISING COMMITTEE LEADER / SPEAKER
Conference organised by the Republic of Cyprus and the UK Government, with Cyta and the OEB. The conference was supported by the Cyprus Association for Human Resource Management, CSR Cyprus and Accept - LGBTI Cyprus. It aimed to examine the challenges and opportunities that companies face in creating an inclusive workplace. - Information at https://www.idahot.eu/DiversityHR
IDAHOT+ FORUM 2022, Lemesos Organizing Committee Chair / Presenter, May 12, 2022
Annual pan-European event promoting cooperation and understanding of LGBTQ+ policies among governments, international organisations, businesses, academics and other stakeholders. Organised by the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the United Kingdom. Speakers included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the European Union Commissioner for Equality, the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms & Equality of Malta, the Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece and others. - Information at https://www.idahot.eu/forum
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION - THEMATIC REVIEW ON THE LEGAL RECOGNITION OF GENDER IDENTITY, NICOSIA
ORGANISATIONAL COMMITTEE LEADER / MEETING PLAYER, 15 Oct 2021
Co-organised with the Council of Europe and the Commissioner for Legislation. Under the auspices of the President of the House of Representatives, Anita Demetriou. - Information at https://bit.ly/CyprusLGRRoundtable
20th ILGA-EUROPE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016, LEXOSIA
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, 19-22 Oct 2016
1st - 5th CYPRUS SURVEY (2014-2018), LEXOSIA
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEE LEADER
MILITARY THESIS
NATIONAL FRUORA, Clergy, July 1996 - Sep 1998
MILITARY (TTH)
MILITARY THESIS
NATIONAL FRUORA, Clergy, July 1996 - Sep 1998
MILITARY (TTH)