Construction has officially begun on the first phase of the long-awaited Pedieos River restoration project, the European Commission announced, confirming its financial support through the EU’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. Implementation is being carried out by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The initial phase covers a 1.2-kilometre stretch of the river corridor and includes the creation of a dual bicycle lane, a pedestrian walkway, and a dedicated green buffer zone running alongside the route toward the riverbed. Work began in late November and is scheduled for completion by February 2026.

The project forms part of a more extensive urban design plan aimed at developing a 3.7-kilometre linear park in the northern part of Nicosia. Once completed, the area will also connect with the city’s southern side through the Ledra Palace crossing point, enhancing mobility and accessibility across the divided capital.

In its statement, the European Commission stressed that the initiative “aims to improve the natural environment, boost biodiversity and create shared public spaces that strengthen intercommunal relations.”

The Pedieos River restoration is being viewed as a flagship environmental and community-building project—one that brings tangible urban benefits while encouraging cooperation and shared use of green spaces across both communities.