Cyprus Learning Venture: Where Entrepreneurship Meets Climate Justice
In a time when climate challenges demand bold, inclusive, and collaborative action, the Cyprus Learning Venture, led by the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), launched a dynamic journey aimed at empowering young changemakers to tackle climate justice through entrepreneurship. With a strong focus on turning ideas into impact, this Learning Venture culminated in the EcoAction Bootcamp: Where Climate Meets Justice and Entrepreneurship, held in February 2025, followed by a Pitching Day in April at the Women in Business & Beyond Conference.
The Bootcamp brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, climate activists, and innovators for two immersive days of learning and capacity building at ARTos House in Nicosia. Participants took part in expert-led workshops on climate adaptation, social justice, and sustainable business development. These sessions were delivered by the accelerator Chrysalis Leap, with capacity-building insights from Dr. Jonathan Mille of UCL’s Climate Action Unit, who introduced neuroscience-informed tools for driving climate engagement and behaviour change.
A powerful highlight of the event was a keynote address by Professor Theodoros Zachariadis, Interim Director at the Cyprus Institute. His presentation, “The Intersection of Climate Change, Social Justice, and Innovation,” emphasized the importance of inclusive climate policy and equitable distribution of resources and impact. Professor Zachariadis challenged participants to approach sustainability with a systems-thinking mindset grounded in governance and justice.
Equally compelling was the contribution of Olivia Skordi, Project Manager at Friends of the Earth Cyprus, who highlighted how local activism and community-led initiatives are essential for real climate progress. Her presentation reinforced the value of cross-sector collaboration, between NGOs, businesses, and civic groups, as a way to amplify grassroots solutions and support sustainable social change.
The Bootcamp set the stage for the Pitching Day at the Women in Business and Beyond Conference, where four finalist teams presented their business ideas to a panel of expert jurors. These ventures were developed during the Bootcamp and refined through mentorship and stakeholder feedback.
The finalist teams included:
- Cool Vest: A wearable cooling vest for laborers in high-heat environments, made of recyclable materials and powered by a mini solar panel. Created by Stavros Patronias, Marios Georgiou, Nicolas Elias, and Ioanna Papetta, the product aims to reduce heat-related health risks while increasing workplace safety and productivity.
- Book My Culture: Founded by Niki Effraimidou, this platform connects travellers with authentic cultural experiences offered by local providers. It promotes responsible tourism and supports local economic development, helping preserve heritage while aligning with multiple SDGs.
- CannaBricks: Developed by Alexandros Ioannou, Andrei Farcas, Giorgos Christodoulou, Nectarios Apostolou, and Eltons Čaks, this startup offers hempcrete insulation blocks and placards for the construction industry. As a carbon-negative product, it offers a sustainable solution for green building.
- Reclaim and Remake: Led by Andreas Spyrou, this initiative focuses on upcycling discarded materials into functional or artistic objects. By giving waste a second life, the project promotes design innovation and a circular approach to consumption.
The winning team CannaBrics received a €3,000 award to further develop and pilot their solution.
More than just a bootcamp, the Cyprus Learning Venture created a space where learners explored how entrepreneurship can drive systemic, inclusive change. By nurturing collaboration between trainers, civil society, academia, and the business sector, this initiative reflected the very heart of the LEVERS Project creating learning ecosystems where people are equipped to lead and co-create sustainable futures.
This is only the beginning for these emerging changemakers. The networks they’ve built, the skills they’ve gained, and the ideas they’ve developed will continue to evolve—and the Cyprus Learning Venture has laid the groundwork for that transformation.
