Climate change and the transition toward a more sustainable future were the focus of the second hybrid workshop organized by ALPHA Cyprus, titled “From Climate Change to Climate Sustainability,” which took place at Domes Sergiou in Skarinou.

The event is part of the European program “European Parliament: Your Voice, Your Future,” which is implemented by ALPHA Cyprus with co-funding from the European Union, with the aim of strengthening public dialogue on important European issues that directly affect citizens’ daily lives.

At the start of the event, a greeting from DISY and EPP MEP Michalis Hatzipantelas, which referred to recent policies adopted by the relevant committees of the European Parliament. Specifically, on June 24, the European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets approved the mobilization of the European Union Solidarity Fund in a dossier in which he participated as shadow rapporteur on behalf of the European People’s Party. This concerns support for Cyprus following the devastating fires of July 2025, with financial aid of 9,209,223 euros earmarked for the restoration of the affected areas, alongside similar support for Romania and Spain.

The discussion was opened by Efi Zikouli, a representative of the Municipality of Aradippou, who presented the municipality’s strategic plan through the European Pathways2Resilience (P2R) program. The presentation highlighted how local authorities can leverage innovation and long-term planning to strengthen cities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change. At the same time, he discussed the initiatives being promoted by the Municipality of Aradippou to create a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

Next, the representative of the European SENSOR project, Tasos Zografos (Aspon Consulting), presented data from the Eurobarometer regarding European citizens’ perceptions of climate change, noting that environmental protection remains one of the top priorities for European Union citizens.

At the same time, reference was made to key European initiatives, such as the European Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus, and the Mission Cities initiative, which aim to accelerate the green transition and strengthen the resilience of European cities.

Particular emphasis was placed on European legislation protecting individuals who report violations of Union law in the environmental sector, as well as on the challenges that continue to deter many citizens from reporting environmental violations. The objectives and next steps of the European SENSOR project were also presented; the project aims to enhance public awareness and participation in environmental governance issues.

The workshop concluded with a discussion and exchange of views on the role of local government, European institutions, and citizens themselves in achieving climate sustainability, highlighting that addressing the climate crisis requires collective action, cross-sectoral cooperation, and active public participation.

The event was broadcast live on the AlphaNews.Live YouTube channel, enabling remote participation:

The “EP: Your Voice, Your Future” program was co-funded by the European Union as part of the European Parliament’s grant program in the field of communication. The European Parliament did not participate in its preparation and bears no responsibility, nor is it in any way associated with the information or opinions expressed in the program, for which sole responsibility lies with the authors, the interviewees, the publishers, or the broadcasters of the program, in accordance with applicable law. The European Parliament also accepts no liability for any damages, whether direct or indirect, that may arise from the implementation of the program.