Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has successfully concluded the European CLUSTER Programme in Innovative and Sustainable Agricultural Sectors, a project generously funded by the European Union through the ENI CBC Mediterranean Basin cross-border programme. This initiative aimed at providing complimentary education, training, and guidance within the innovative and sustainable agricultural sectors, promoting employment in this crucial segment of the economy.

The programme was organised in three stages:  online training, on-site training and paid internships.

The online training was facilitated through the CLUSTER platform, garnering substantial interest with 327 registrations. Successful participants were awarded certificates of attendance. The online training covered the following topics:

• Organic farming
• Hydroponics
• Aquaponics
• Sustainable Food Processing
• Soft skills

Remarkably, the audience displayed a notable preference for Organic Agriculture, Hydroponics, and Sustainable Food Processing, highlighting their relevance and significance in the modern agricultural landscape.

Graduates of the online training phase were given the opportunity to advance to the next stage, the Onsite Training programme, led by expert external partners of CCCI. These workshops took place from July 3rd to July 14th, 2023, and spanned a total of 25 hours. It was a transformative experience for 30 young, unemployed men and women dedicated to learning, development, and practical skill acquisition, ensuring their knowledge of sustainable agriculture remains enriched for years to come.

Participants who successfully completed the on-site training had the opportunity to delve deeper into their knowledge during a 30-hour sponsored internship throughout July and August. This phase involved 24 trainees who were hosted by 10 companies in the industry: Alion Vegetables & Fruits Co Ltd, Planty Hydroponic Greenhouses, BioCorner Grocery, Regenas Gardens, Be Natural, Popi Nassou Organic farming, Konnaris Green Farming, Melissochora Beeland Ltd, Minas Hydroponic Greenhouses.

This comprehensive journey represented an all-encompassing package of learning, development, and hands-on experience. The interns gained invaluable knowledge covering a broad spectrum of topics, from plant cultivation to soil health management, and from the implementation of eco-friendly techniques to an appreciation of the delicate balance of nature.