A Cypriot initiative that recycles used cooking oil has been selected among the six finalists for the 2026 Green Skills Award of the European Training Foundation (ETF), competing against 369 applications from 94 countries, the European Commission has announced.
The Cypriot finalist is "Tiganokinisi" (The Frying Pan Movement) initiative of the AKTI Project and Research Centre, which converts used cooking oil into biodiesel, with the proceeds funding sustainability programmes in schools. Tiganokinisi was launched as a pilot in 2011 in 10 schools across all levels in the Municipality of Aglantzia, and has been implemented island-wide since September 2013. According to the press release, the initiative is estimated to raise awareness among more than 100,000 students in Cyprus annually.
Finalists
The remaining five finalists come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on circular fashion and upcycling; Jordan, on renewable energy training; Nepal, on electronic waste reuse; Peru, on young glacier ambassadors; and Uzbekistan, on environmental education across 25 schools.
The finalists were selected by an international jury of ETF experts based on the novelty, impact and replication potential of each initiative. The final ranking will be determined through a public vote open until 30 June 2026.
ETF Director Pilvi Torsti said the 369 applications from 94 countries underline the central role of skills in climate action, enabling people to adapt, innovate and lead change in an inclusive and sustainable way.
Separately, the special winner of the "#ForOurPlanet" category, awarded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment and the European External Action Service, is set to be announced tomorrow during EU Green Week. The Green Skills Award has been running since 2021 and forms part of the EU's broader commitments to sustainable development, in line with the Union of Skills and Clean Industrial Deal initiatives.
Source: CNA
