Student food insecurity and hunger

Programme Overview

Since 2014, CUT has maintained a comprehensive and long-standing programme to support students experiencing food insecurity and socio-economic hardship. This initiative is implemented in collaboration with the Holy Metropolis of Limassol, which prepares and distributes free, balanced daily meals to students throughout the academic year.

The Free Meals Programme operates at the facilities of the Holy Metropolis of Limassol, located near the University campus, and is coordinated by the Service for Academic Affairs and Student Welfare, ensuring fair, discreet, and equitable access for all eligible students.

Impact and Scale

Each academic year, approximately 30% of the student population benefit from the programme, receiving balanced daily lunches free of charge. The programme is grounded in principles of social solidarity, dignity and respect, ensuring that beneficiaries receive food support fairly, confidentially and without stigma.

Through this collaboration, the Holy Metropolis of Limassol provides daily meal preparation and distribution, while CUT actively supports the programme through the Student Welfare Association, contributing to its operational continuity and enhancement.

The University’s contribution includes:

  • Funding the employment of a kitchen assistant to support daily meal preparation.
  • Purchasing essential kitchen equipment and supplies for the continuation of the food assistance initiative.
  • Acquiring a professional oven and related accessories to meet the operational needs of the Metropolis’ meal programme.

Outcomes and Broader Contribution

Through this partnership, CUT directly addresses student food insecurity, ensuring reliable access to daily balanced meals for students in need. The initiative promotes social solidarity, inclusion, and community support, reflecting CUT’s commitment to student welfare and equitable access to essential resources. This collaboration represents a model of university-community partnership, strengthening social cohesion, fostering a culture of care, and aligning with the UN SDG2: Zero Hunger.

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