AKTI Project and Research Centre joined 27 project partners in Iso-Syöte, Finland, from 29 September to 1 October 2026, for the 3rd NURISH Consortium Meeting, presenting the latest progress from Cyprus’ Resilience Hub in Athienou, where locally available organic waste is being transformed into compost to support healthier soils and more sustainable agriculture.
Funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, NURISH aims to strengthen the climate resilience of rural communities across Europe through practical, nature-based and circular solutions. The project addresses challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, flooding and other climate-related risks, working with local communities, farmers and authorities to develop solutions adapted to their needs.
Turning Organic Waste into a Resource in Cyprus
During the meeting, AKTI and Athienou Municipality presented the latest developments from Resilience Hub 2 (RH2) in Cyprus, which focuses on converting locally available green and organic waste into compost to improve soil health and support sustainable farming practices.
A key milestone has already been achieved: the first pilot test of the mobile composting system was successfully completed. The system transformed locally sourced organic waste into compost, demonstrating the potential of a low-cost, circular solution that can reduce waste, support soil fertility and help decrease reliance on chemical fertilisers.
AKTI leads the technical implementation and monitoring of the solution, while Athienou Municipality plays a central role in local operations and community engagement.
Sharing Knowledge Across European Resilience Hubs
The consortium meeting brought together 28 project partners to exchange progress, discuss challenges and share practical experiences from the different NURISH Resilience Hubs.
As part of the programme, participants also visited Resilience Hub 3 in Ranua and Pudasjärvi, Finland, where they explored initiatives focused on restoring lake ecosystems and developing circular solutions suited to the needs of Arctic communities.
The meeting highlighted how different European regions are addressing climate-related challenges through locally adapted approaches, from improving agricultural soils in Cyprus to protecting freshwater ecosystems in northern Finland.
For AKTI and Athienou Municipality, the meeting provided an opportunity to share the results achieved so far, learn from other regions and identify the next steps for advancing the composting solution in Cyprus.
Through NURISH, AKTI continues working towards practical, community-based solutions that turn local waste into valuable resources and strengthen the resilience of rural communities to climate change.
