Kicking-off EIT Food’s expanded role in Cyprus
As SocialTech Lab, we have been appointed as the EIT Food Country Representative for Cyprus, and in this role we act as the national gateway connecting the local agrifood ecosystem with EIT Food’s European network. This includes supporting stakeholders in accessing programmes, funding opportunities, and partnerships, while enabling meaningful participation in EIT Food initiatives.
To mark the beginning of this engagement, we are organising the EIT Food Cyprus Activation Event, which will take place on 25 May 2026 at the CYENS Centre of Excellence in Nicosia.
Why we are organising this event
This activation event is the first step in building a more structured and connected agrifood innovation ecosystem in Cyprus.
EIT Food is growing Europe’s food innovation ecosystem to build a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system, driven by collaboration, entrepreneurship, and science-backed innovation . Our role locally is to ensure that stakeholders in Cyprus can both contribute to and benefit from this wider European ecosystem.
Through this event, we aim to create a space where stakeholders can come together to:
– Identify shared priorities, challenges, and opportunities
– Strengthen collaboration across sectors
– Inform future programmes, funding opportunities, and initiatives
– Build connections that support long-term ecosystem development
A working session focused on collaboration and exchange
We have designed this event as a participatory workshop, rather than a traditional conference.
Participants will take part in facilitated group discussions to map the needs, opportunities, and challenges of the agrifood sector in Cyprus. The session will bring together perspectives from across the value chain, including entrepreneurs, researchers, producers, policymakers, and ecosystem actors.
Alongside the structured discussions, we will provide dedicated time for networking and exchange, creating opportunities to connect with peers, explore potential collaborations, and build relationships that can support future initiatives.
From insights to action
A key outcome of the event will be the collection of structured insights from participants. These insights will directly inform how we shape EIT Food activities in Cyprus going forward.
They will contribute to:
– The design of future EIT Food programmes and activities
– Access to funding and partnership opportunities
– Capacity-building and training initiatives
– The development of cross-sector collaborations
This approach reflects EIT Food’s broader commitment to ensuring that innovation is driven by collaboration and grounded in real ecosystem needs .
Event agenda
11:00 – 11:15 | Registrations
11:15 – 11:30 | ECO Welcome and Opening Remarks
11:30 – 11:45 | Introduction to the EIT Food Country Representative Role in Cyprus
11:45 – 13:00 | Facilitated Group Discussions: Mapping Needs, Opportunities, and Challenges
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch
Event details
Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
Time: 11:00–14:00
Location: CYENS Centre of Excellence
(Lellou Demetriades, Plateia Dimarchou 1, Nicosia 1016)
Participation: Free of charge
Limited places. Register here:
https://forms.gle/SSbaar8RLXfoSwGLA
Join us
We invite stakeholders from across the agrifood ecosystem to join us for this first step.
By participating, you will have the opportunity to contribute to shaping how Cyprus connects with Europe’s food innovation ecosystem, while building relationships that can support future collaboration.
About the organisers
This event is organised by SocialTech Lab as the EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus, with the support of CYENS as the EIT Community RIS Hub in Cyprus.
