The 2025 "Costas Karras" European Citizens' Gold Award was awarded to the Cypriot NGO AKTI Project and Research Centre, for 25 years of pioneering action for sustainability in Cyprus and Europe. The award was presented by the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture and Europa Nostra, in an impressive ceremony within the  framework of the internationally prestigious Delphi Economic Forum.

The work of AKTI was addressed in opening remarks by the founder and President of the Hellenic Society for Environment and Culture, Lydia Karra, the General Director of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quadvlieg-Mihailovic, and the Director of the European Investment Bank Institute, Shiva Dustdar, while Anastasios Leventis, President of the A.G. Leventis Foundation, presented the rationale for awarding the Gold Award to the AKTI Project and Research Centre, emphasizing the importance of AKTI’s action. 

In her speech during the ceremony, Dr. Xenia I. Loizidou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AKTI, referred to AKTI's 25-year history in Cyprus and around the world and  stated: "The awarding of AKTI with the European Citizens' Gold Award "Costas Karras" at the Delphi Economic Forum fills us with pride for the impact our work has and gives strength to our voice: Sustainability is not theory, it is practice, it is applied solutions, it requires know-how, innovation and knowledge, collaborations and passion." 

The AKTI Project and Research Centre expresses its warm thanks to the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture, to Europa Nostra for this highly prestigious award, to the Ambassador of Cyprus in Athens, Stavros Avgoustides, who honored AKTI with his  presence at the ceremony, and to the Cyprus Commissioner for the Environment and Animal Protection, Antonia Theodosiou, who supported AKTI's candidacy in this international competition.