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SocialTech Lab

@socialtechlab

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Building the next wave of positive peace-driven innovations & empowering entrepreneurship in fragile contexts worldwide
💡 @cyprusinno + @thebasecy

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30 young people. 5 days. One neighbourhood. And one question: what could our streets become? 👀

The Y-PLAN YouthCamp brought young people together in Agioi Omologites, Nicosia for five days of mapping, co-design, testing and hands-on street activations, exploring how they can play a more active role in shaping the places around them.

Parking spaces became playgrounds. Streets became stages. Public space became something to question, test and reimagine together.

More stories, activations and participant voices coming soon. 👀

@erasmusplusyouthcy @idep_erasmusplus @socialtechlab @urbana_lab @opu_collective @mladiambasadorinis, @toestand_vzw

#yplan #youth #participation #urban #planning by @socialtechlab

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6 days ago

Same mission. Fresh look. Always evolving.

Our identity was formed around sharp polygons and straight geometric lines. It reflected structure, systems, and technology. But solving complex challenges is never linear, and applying innovation to create meaningful social/environmental impact requires us to keep adapting.

The challenges we work on are shifting with the world around us. Progress loops, bends, collides, adapts, and re-forms. Every project, every community, and every solution takes a different shape.

So our refreshed identity reflects that - more fluid, more human, and more adaptive, while staying rooted in who we are and what we stand for.

We’ve preserved the look people recognise, while softening its edges and allowing colours to flow into one another reflecting collaboration, intersection, and movement between disciplines, people, and ideas.

At the center is still the same mission: to strengthen positive peace through social and environmental innovation, while empowering people and communities to build more inclusive, resilient, and thriving societies.

The challenges we face are evolving. So are we.

See how we solve them at: https://socialtechlab.org by @socialtechlab

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a month ago

🌱 The EWA Grow 2026 journey has officially begun!

We were delighted to welcome the 10 women entrepreneurs selected for the inaugural EWA Grow programme in Cyprus at our Matchmaking & Training Day, hosted at the @atsastrainingcenter.

The event marked the beginning of a six-month programme of mentoring, learning, and collaboration. Participants met their mentors, gained inspiring insights from Phrosso Hadjilucas and the @atsastrainingcenter team on women leadership and sustainable agrifood entrepreneurship, and took part in hands-on business and experiential workshops.

Together, this year’s cohort is developing innovative solutions across:
🌾 Sustainable agriculture
♻️ Circular economy
🍽️ Food innovation
🌱 Regenerative agriculture & tourism
🧪 Fermentation technologies
📱 Digital traceability

Over the coming months, participants will receive tailored mentoring, expert training, and access to EIT Food’s European innovation ecosystem as they grow their ventures.

A heartfelt thank you to our participants, mentors, Phrosso Hadjilucas, the Atsas Training Center team, and everyone who helped make the launch of EWA Grow in Cyprus such a meaningful start.

🔗 Learn more about this year’s cohort and the programme launch: https://socialtechlab.org/ewa-grow-2026-launches-in-cyprus/

This is only the beginning! We look forward to sharing the cohort’s journey with you.

The EWA Grow 2026 programme in Cyprus is organised by SocialTech Lab and supported by EIT Food.

#EITFood #EWA2026 #WomenInBusiness #AgriFood #CyprusStartups by @socialtechlab

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3 months ago

🌍 CareFabric has officially begun! 💚 🏡

Last week, SocialTech Lab joined partners from across Europe in Umeå, Sweden, for the kick-off of CareFabric, a new Horizon Europe project under the very first @neweuropeanbauhaus (NEB) Facility exploring how culture, participation and collective care can help transform Europe’s neighbourhoods.

Over the next 3.5 years, 17 partners spanning municipalities, universities, cultural organisations, civil society and European networks will work together to understand how cultural participation can strengthen social connection, civic engagement and neighbourhood resilience, while contributing to a fair and inclusive green transition.

🏘️ Our first days together took us beyond the meeting room and into Ålidhem, where we met with community leaders and explored local approaches to social sustainability, community initiatives, public space and cultural participation.

💬 We also began unpacking some of the questions that will shape the project:

What does care mean in the context of a neighbourhood?
How do communities build belonging and collective ownership?
And how can culture become a catalyst for long-term social and environmental change?

🎨 Grounded in the New European Bauhaus principles of sustainability, inclusion and beauty, CareFabric will use four city pilots as spaces for research, co-creation and experimentation - bringing together social, cultural and environmental perspectives to explore new ways of strengthening neighbourhoods across Europe.

🤝 A big thank you to @risesweden , @umeakommun, @umeauniversitet (@uma_architecture), and @studieframjandet for being incredible hosts, and to everyone involved in creating such a thoughtful and welcoming start to this collaboration

We left Umeå with new connections, plenty of ideas to explore, and a shared sense of direction for the years ahead. ✨

🇨🇾 We look forward to welcoming CareFabric to Cyprus in the near future.

CareFabric is funded by #HorizonEurope through the NEB Facility.

@transeuropehalles @demsoc_official @iclei_europe @comunedibologna @unibo @fondazione_iu @ensag_uga @sciencespogrenoble_uga @regiedequartier38 @universityofcyprus @limassolmunicipality by @socialtechlab

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7 days ago

🚁 Drones are coming to our cities. Cool? Useful? Creepy? You decide.

As SocialTech Lab and @opu_collective (Organisation for Positive Urbanism) we are bringing together a small group of people for Drones for Good, an informal Science Café at @opu_house.

No presentations full of jargon.
No need to know anything about drones.

Just a good conversation about:
🚑 Where drones could actually make life better
👀 What might make you uncomfortable
🏙️ What you would and wouldn’t want flying over your city

Whether you’re a drone enthusiast, simply curious, or completely new to the topic, we want your perspective in the room.

After the conversation, stick around for OPU’s Community Kitchen. 🍲

📅 Tuesday, 20 October 2026
🕔 17:00–19:30
📍 OPU House, Nicosia
🎟️ Free | Limited seats
👉 Register to save your spot: https://forms.gle/om4obqXJ1cYTswtf9

This event is organised as part of the EUSOME project, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Your input will help support a more inclusive and socially aware approach to the future of air mobility in Europe.

#DronesForGood #ScienceCafe #AAM #FutureOfMobility #EUSOME by @socialtechlab

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9 days ago

Great ideas need more than ambition. They need to be tested, challenged and given the right support to grow. 🌱

Last Saturday, we kicked off the EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ journey, bringing together a new cohort of agrifood innovators ready to take their ideas and ventures further.

Throughout the day, we explored food-systems thinking, customer and market validation, venture strategy and business-model development, questioning assumptions, identifying opportunities and setting clear priorities for the journey ahead.

A big thank you to @neemalabs and @themightykitchen for sharing their expertise, challenging us, and helping create such an engaging and collaborative first day. 🙌

And this was just the starting point.

Over the coming weeks, this impressive group of agrifood innovators will continue to test, refine and strengthen their ventures through expert-led masterclasses, personalised mentoring and hands-on validation, before coming together again for our final Demo Day in November.

We’re looking forward to seeing how the ideas, insights and connections made during the bootcamp phase translate into stronger ventures and meaningful transformation for our food system. 🌾

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is supported by EIT Food and implemented by SocialTech Lab in its role as the EIT Food Country Representative Cyprus.

#Ground2Scale #AgriFood #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation by @socialtechlab

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20 days ago

🌱 Have an agrifood idea but don’t know where to start?

Maybe you’re wondering:
💭 Is this idea actually viable?
🎯 Who would my customer be?
💶 How could it make money?
📊 What should I figure out before starting a business?
💡 How do I turn the idea into something more concrete?

EWA Explore is a 20-hour, self-paced online course from EIT Food designed for women who want to explore, test and develop an early agrifood business idea.

You don’t need to already have a business or a finished plan.

EWA Explore can help you take an idea that is still in your head and start working through the practical questions behind it — from understanding the problem and customer to developing a business model, thinking about finances and deciding what your next step could be.

🇨🇾 Based in Cyprus?
A limited number of scholarships are available through SocialTech Lab, EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus, covering the full cost of the programme.

Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🎓 Interested in receiving a scholarship? Contact us first at agrifood@socialtechlab.org to let us know you would like to be considered.

Eligible participants will be reimbursed for the programme fee once they submit proof of their completed application and acceptance to EWA Explore.

👉 Have an idea you keep thinking about? Start exploring it:
eitfood.eu/ewa-explore

💬 Not sure whether your idea fits? Email us at agrifood@socialtechlab.org and we’ll be happy to help.

#EWAExplore #EITFood #WomenInAgrifood #AgrifoodInnovation #Cyprus by @socialtechlab

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23 days ago

🌱 From fundraising readiness to international growth, the EWA Grow journey continues!

Earlier this week, our EWA Grow 2026 cohort came together at @themightykitchen for an inspiring and practical Masterclass led by Louiza Sophocleous, Co-Founder & CTO of The Mighty Kitchen.

Louiza opened the session by sharing honest insights from her journey as a woman entrepreneur in the agrifood sector, from building and growing a business to navigating challenges, making strategic decisions and identifying new opportunities.

The cohort then took part in practical workshops exploring:
💶 Grants, public funding, private investment and alternative financing
📈 Preparing a venture for fundraising
🚀 Sustainable growth and scaling models
🤝 Strategic partnerships
🌍 Market expansion and entering new markets

The session also gave participants the opportunity to reflect on the next stage of growth for their own ventures, the resources they need to move forward and the barriers they must overcome to scale successfully.

A heartfelt thank you to Louiza Sophocleous @mypettimestories for sharing her experience and knowledge so openly, to The Mighty Kitchen for hosting us, and to our participants for bringing their questions, ideas and ambition to the room.

Step by step, the cohort is strengthening the strategies, confidence and connections needed to grow impactful agrifood ventures. We look forward to continuing this journey together!

#EITFood #EWA2026 #WomenInBusiness #AgriFood #Entrepreneurship by @socialtechlab

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a month ago

🚨 EIT FOOD CHALLENGE LAB: GROUND2SCALE+ — DEADLINE EXTENDED

The application deadline has been extended to 2 September 2026, giving more agrifood innovators the opportunity to apply. In response to the strong interest received so far, we are expanding the cohort with a limited number of additional places.

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is a free, EIT Food-labelled entrepreneurship programme supporting people and teams developing innovative solutions across the food system to validate their ideas, strengthen their business models and build more market- and investment-ready ventures.

You could be a:
🌱 Farmer or agricultural producer developing a new solution
🚀 Startup or entrepreneur working in food, agriculture, agritech or biotechnology
🍽️ Food producer, processor, restaurant or hospitality business testing an innovative product, service or approach
🔬 Researcher or PhD candidate exploring the commercial potential of your research
🏢 SME or innovation team developing a new agrifood product, technology or service
🎓 University or research spin-off
💡 Individual innovator with an agrifood idea you want to validate and develop

You can apply at an early stage. A registered company is not required, and both individuals and teams are welcome.

Through the eight-week programme, selected participants will access expert-led masterclasses, a minimum of eight dedicated mentoring hours, customer and market validation, business-model and commercialisation support, pitch development and a final Demo Day.

The application is straightforward and takes only a short time to complete.

📅 NEW DEADLINE: 2 September 2026 at 23:59
💶 Participation: Free

👉 Developing an innovation for the future of food?.

Submit your application now:
agrifood.socialtechlab.org/g2s

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is supported by EIT Food and implemented by SocialTech Lab in its role as the EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus.

#Ground2Scale #EITFood #AgriFood #Innovation #Cyprus by @socialtechlab

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a month ago

⏳ Only 5 days left to apply for EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+.

The eight-week programme begins with a one-day in-person Challenge Lab on 12 September 2026.

Here is what we’ll cover;

🌱 Food Systems Intelligence
Map value chains, identify sustainability challenges and uncover innovation opportunities. Delivered by @neemalabs

🎯 Venture Strategy & Validation
Refine your value proposition, test Product–Market–System Fit and build a practical validation roadmap. Delivered by @themightykitchen

🎤 Pitch Essentials
Learn what investors look for and prepare a compelling pitch for mentoring and Demo Day. Delivered by @themightykitchen

And this is only the beginning.

After the Challenge Lab Day, participants will continue with expert-led masterclasses, a minimum of eight dedicated mentoring hours, and a final Demo Day and awards ceremony.

📍 Nicosia, Cyprus
📅 Programme period: 12 September–early November 2026
⏳ Applications close: Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 23:59

*Participation is free of charge.

🚨 Only 5 days remain, and a €2,000 cash prize pool is up for grabs for the two winning teams.

Don’t miss your chance to validate your idea, strengthen your venture and take it all the way to Demo Day.

🔗 Learn more and apply now: agrifood.socialtechlab.org/g2s

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is supported by EIT Food and implemented by SocialTech Lab in its role as the EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus

#Ground2Scale #EITFood #Agrifood #Innovation #Cyprus by @socialtechlab

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2 months ago

🌱 Is EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ right for you?

You are encouraged to apply if you are:
🚀Building an early-stage agrifood startup or ready to turn an agrifood idea into a venture
💡 Developing an innovative food, agriculture, biotechnology or agritech solution
🔬 Commercialising academic or scientific research
🏢 Part of an SME, university spin-off or research spin-off
🌍 Tackling an environmental, economic or social challenge within the food system
📈 Ready to validate your idea and take your venture further

Across eight weeks, selected participants will take part in:
🌱 An intensive one-day Challenge Lab
🎓 Expert-led masterclasses
🤝 A minimum of eight dedicated mentoring hours
🎤 A final Demo Day and awards ceremony

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive an official EIT Food-labelled certificate.

📍 Nicosia, Cyprus
📅 Programme period: 12 September–early November 2026
⏳ Applications close: Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 23:59

*Participation is free of charge.

👉 Ready to take your agrifood innovation forward? Don’t miss your chance to compete for a share of the €2,000 cash prize pool for the two winning teams, plus further venture-development support for the first-place team

🔗 Learn more and apply: agrifood.socialtechlab.org/g2s

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is supported by EIT Food and implemented by SocialTech Lab in its role as the EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus.

#Ground2Scale #EITFood #Agrifood #Innovation #Cyprus by @socialtechlab

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2 months ago

🚀 Have an agrifood idea you’re ready to turn into a venture?

Applications are now open for EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+.

Are you building an agrifood startup, developing an innovative solution or looking to commercialise your research?

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is an EIT Food-labelled entrepreneurship programme delivered under the EIT Food Challenge Labs framework, designed to help early-stage agrifood innovators validate their ideas, strengthen their ventures and prepare for investment and growth.

Your journey will include:
🌱 A one-day in-person Challenge Lab
🎓 Expert-led venture-development masterclasses
🤝 A minimum of eight dedicated mentoring hours
📈 Business-model and go-to-market development
🎤 A final Demo Day and awards ceremony
🏆 A €2,000 cash prize pool for the two winning teams, plus further venture-development support for the first-place team
🎓 An official EIT Food-labelled certificate upon successful completion

📍 Nicosia, Cyprus
📅 Programme period: 12 September–early November 2026
⏳ Applications close: Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 23:59

*Participation is free of charge.

🔗 Learn more and apply: agrifood.socialtechlab.org/g2s

Know someone building the future of food? 🌾 Share this opportunity with them!

EIT Food Challenge Lab: Ground2Scale+ is supported by EIT Food and implemented by SocialTech Lab in its role as the EIT Food Country Representative in Cyprus.

#Ground2Scale #AgriFood #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation by @socialtechlab

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2 months ago