Students from Cyprus achieved a major European distinction by securing both first and second place in the European sustainability competition “Think Smart, Create Green!”, organized by the EU-CONEXUS European University Network.

Frederick University, a member of the EU-CONEXUS Network and responsible for coordinating the national stage of the competition in Cyprus, warmly congratulated the teams from Kokkinochoria Gymnasium “Panos Ioannou” and Agios Georgios Lyceum of Lakatamia for their achievements.

The team “Scarto” from Kokkinochoria Gymnasium “Panos Ioannou” won first place in the 12–14 age category. The team consisted of students Theodora Georgiou, Maria Antoniou, Antigoni Alexandrou, and Michalis Charalambous.

The group presented an innovative summer slipper made entirely from recycled and reused materials. To create the “leather,” they used apple and potato peels, seeds, and natural dyes derived from beetroot, spinach, and walnuts, while also utilizing water from air-conditioning units during the material processing stage. The sole was produced using wine corks and used tennis balls.

The students argued that the concept of “waste” reflects a lack of imagination and that a new philosophy is needed, one that transforms discarded materials into opportunities for creativity. The team was guided by teachers Theofanis Petroudis and Therapon Therapontos.

Notably, the same school had also earned distinction in last year’s competition, securing third place with the project “Desal Harvesting Tower,” a hydroponic tower featuring integrated solar panels and a desalination system.

Cyprus’ success continued in the 14–17 age category, where the team “AquaWise” from Agios Georgios Lyceum of Lakatamia secured second place.

Students Konstantinos Kokkofytis, Andreas Kassinos, Giorgos Nearchou, and Stefanos Siathas presented a smart water management and irrigation system that uses humidity sensors and automated decision-making to optimize water use in agriculture.

AquaWise operates through two ESP32 microcontrollers that autonomously control a hydraulic valve, allowing water supply only when conditions require it. The system was successfully tested in the school’s garden, demonstrating its potential as a low-cost and effective solution for sustainable water resource management. The team was mentored by teacher Stelios Sergiou.

The “Think Smart, Create Green!” competition is being held for the fifth consecutive year and brings together students aged 12 to 17 from nine European countries, aiming to promote sustainability, innovation, and smart environmental solutions.

The EU-CONEXUS Network is part of the European Union’s “European Universities” initiative and focuses on intelligent sustainable coastal development, the blue economy, circular economy, and sustainability. The network includes universities from France, Greece, Romania, Lithuania, Spain, Croatia, Ireland, Germany, and Cyprus through Frederick University.

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