Two cities in Cyprus have been honoured in the prestigious Cyprus Green Cities & Green Communities Awards 2024.
Paphos and Larnaca were recognised as the greenest cities in Cyprus for their environmental achievements.
In particular, Paphos won the award for the successful implementation of the 'Park of Flowers' and 'Kato Paphos Walkway' projects. The former won in the Urban Biodiversity category, scoring 790 out of a possible 1,000 points. As well as beautifying the city, the park helps to preserve rare plants, attracts pollinators and supports the ecosystem. The second project topped the sustainable tourism category with 794 points. It should be noted that the path was designed in accordance with environmental standards and in harmony with the natural landscape, making it an excellent example of sustainable tourism.
Larnaca, for its part, was also recognised in the competition. The Municipality of Larnaca was awarded the title of 'Cyprus Green City 2024' for its projects 'Green Spaces - Urban Biodiversity' and 'Creating Green Beaches', aimed at improving the coastal area of Oroklini. Larnaca and Paphos are now officially part of the Cyprus Green Cities and Municipalities Network, established by the Cyprus Centre for Research and Education in the Environment (CYCERE).
As a reminder, the Cyprus Green Cities & Green Communities Awards is a prestigious award that was established in 2017 and is organised under the auspices of the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture. It aims to reward cities and municipalities that implement environmentally sustainable solutions. Participants compete in 12 categories, including:
- Biodiversity,
- Sustainable Energy,
- Sustainable Tourism
- Water Management.
Projects are judged by a panel of experts against strict criteria. Entrants must provide evidence of their work - photos, reports, plans. Winners are awarded the Green Flag, which confirms a high level of environmental responsibility.
The organisers of the competition say they intend to expand the categories and attract more participants. In the long term, Cypriot cities are preparing for the pan-European environmental awards, which will open up new opportunities for funding and international recognition.
The municipalities of Paphos and Larnaca have already declared that they will not rest on their laurels and will continue to implement projects to green and improve the urban environment. Residents and tourists will soon be able to see how these cities are becoming greener and more pleasant places to live and visit.