In Cyprus, food waste remains a significant challenge with serious environmental, social, and economic implications. The country ranks the highest in the European Union in waste production per capita.
According to the latest data from EUROSTAT regarding annual waste measurements in EU countries for 2023, Cyprus generated 294 kilograms of waste per capita, followed by Denmark with 254 kilograms. Food waste accounts for a substantial portion of this, making up approximately 28.2% of total municipal waste. Commercial activities, such as catering, contribute around 110,000 tonnes of food waste annually.
Notably, only 25% of waste in Cyprus ends up in recycling programmes, while the remaining 75% goes to landfill. This makes waste management one of the country’s biggest challenges.
Addressing this issue is at the heart of the new European project “FoodConnect,” which builds upon the success of the “LIFE FoodPrint” initiative. The project aims to reduce food waste, promote food donation, and raise public awareness. A primary goal is the development and enrichment of the FOODPRINT platform, encouraging users to participate in food collection and donation.
This initiative aspires to serve social groups and strengthen the network of collaborations among businesses, social organisations, and public entities such as hospitality and food businesses, agricultural organisations, and social organisations in Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal.
The project commenced in September 2024 and will conclude in March 2027. It is co-funded by the European Life Programme. The FOODCONNECT project is coordinated by DIAS Group in collaboration with NGOs Friends of the Earth Malta, Friends of the Earth Cyprus, Base Element in Cyprus, the NGO ZERO in Portugal, and the company INOVA+ in Portugal.
The first meeting was held at the DIAS Group premises on 16–17 October 2024, with all partners participating. The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure that all partners gained a comprehensive understanding of the project’s activities, management structure, and core processes, particularly for the first year of implementation.
Upcoming activities include an awareness campaign to inform the public about the social and environmental consequences of food waste and the importance of food donation. Additionally, research and consultations will be conducted with businesses, professionals, and organised groups.
The ultimate goal is to invite various stakeholders and citizens to participate in the project, fostering a holistic and participatory approach to reducing waste by promoting food donation through the platform https://www.foodprintcy.eu.
For more information or to join the initiative, contact DIAS Group at [email protected] or +357 22580223.
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