Cooperation on water security

Cyprus is recognised as the first European country expected to face the combined impacts of climate change, water scarcity, and desertification. In response, CUT has developed long-standing collaborations with local, national, regional, and global authorities to advance research, monitoring, capacity-building, and innovation in water-related challenges. These partnerships demonstrate CUT’s active contribution to water security across multiple governance levels.

Local Cooperation

Jury Member Duty at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (20/04/2024)

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is a prestigious international competition for students aged 15-20 who develop innovative research projects addressing major water challenges. The prize aims to increase youth interest in water-related issues and to encourage future leaders to create solutions for a more water-secure world. Dr. Marlen Vasquez of CUT served as a jury member in the national phase of the competition, supporting youth innovation in water security and sustainable solutions and promoting awareness of key water-security issues among young scientists. More info is available here.

National Cooperation

Innovative Research by the Water Treatment Laboratory- AQUA (01/01/2024–31/12/2024)

The Water Treatment Laboratory- AQUA (WTL-AQUA) is the only laboratory in Cyprus dedicated to the prevention, detection, identification, mitigation, and treatment of toxic cyanobacteria in surface water. CUT develops innovative solutions adaptable to current water-treatment infrastructure.

With the updated EU Directive 2020/2184, cyanotoxins must now be monitored, requiring Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) to check for both cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins.
WTL-AQUA Director, Dr. Maria G. Antoniou, delivered invited lectures at specialised seminars and conferences and formed close working collaborations with the Water Development Department, the Department of Environment, and the Department of Forests.

Research activities were funded by EU and national sources, as well as by Cyprus Seeds, supporting the introduction of innovative water-treatment technologies to international markets.

More info is available below:

 Research Activities at the Water & Health Laboratory (01/01/2024–31/12/2024)

The Water & Health Laboratory, part of the Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health (CII), aligns its strategic vision with two core objectives:

  • Evaluating health risks associated with chronic exposure to environmental stressors (chemical and physical), using both novel targeted biomarkers and untargeted metabolomics platforms.
  • Testing the effectiveness of non-pharmacological health interventions- such as organic diet, bio-based food-packaging materials, alternative disinfectants, and short stays in mountainous climatic conditions- on improving key metabolic indicators.

Through these activities, the Laboratory strengthens national capacity to understand water-related health risks and the broader links between environmental exposures and public health. More info is available here.

Participation in the CHILDREN FIRST Cohort Infrastructure Network (01/01/2024–31/12/2024)

CUT personnel Dr. K. Makris and G. Botsaris carried out systematic microbiological and chemical analyses of household tap-water samples across Cyprus within the framework of the CHILDREN FIRST Cohort Infrastructure Network. The research teams generate reliable, science-based data on the quality of drinking-water resources nationwide, offering findings and recommendations to participating families that strengthen public understanding of water-contamination patterns. Their work supports evidence-based management actions to improve water quality, enhances national monitoring capacity, and aligns with the goal of maintaining good ambient water quality. Overall, this activity advances Cyprus’s progress toward SDG 6.3, particularly in reducing pollution and minimising the release of hazardous substances. More info is available here.

Regional Cooperation

Eratosthenes CoE – Presentation of Agri NexusHub at Cyprus Water Management Event (03/12/2024)

At the event “Visualising Cyprus Water Management Strategies” (organised by Chrysalis LEAP on 3 December 2024), Mr. Stelios Neophytides and Dr. Marinos Eliades of the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence presented the Agri NexusHub, an innovative digital tool developed by the Big Earth Data Analytics Department in collaboration with the Water Research Cluster. The tool provides daily calculations of both reference and crop evapotranspiration, supporting improved water-resources management. By utilising novel Earth Observation technologies and advanced data-analytics methods, Agri NexusHub offers valuable insights to farmers, agricultural companies, and local authorities. More info is available here.

Global Cooperation

MoU Between CUT and ICHA University, South Korea (14/06/2024)

WTL-AQUA led efforts to sign an international Memorandum of Understanding with ICHA University in South Korea, focusing on collaborative research in water treatment and the removal of emerging contaminants, including cyanotoxins and “forever chemicals.” More info is available here.

CUT Representation in EU COST Action CYANOACTION (CA23160) (October 2024)

CYANOACTION is a European COST Action dedicated to tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems. These blooms, driven by nutrient pollution, threaten water security, ecosystem balance, and public health. The network brings together experts, water managers, and policymakers to improve early-warning detection, assess control strategies, and develop decision-support tools for sustainable water management.
Two CUT members- Dr. Maria G. Antoniou and Mrs. Nikoletta Tsiarta- serve as MS representatives for Cyprus. Dr. Antoniou was elected WG3 Leader (Treatment) and Mrs. Tsiarta WG5 Leader (Dissemination), reinforcing CUT’s contribution to European-level cooperation on monitoring, mitigation, and knowledge dissemination.

More info is available below:

Building Bridges- CUT Partnership Mission in Tunisia (26/02/2024–01/03/2024)

ERATOSTHENES CoE visited Tunisia to expand collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa region. The delegation- Prof. Andreas Anayiotos, Dr. Kyriakos Themistocleous, and Dr. Constantinos Panagiotou- held meetings with the National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, the Water Research and Technology Centre, regional and national agricultural and water authorities, the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishery, and the Regional Centre of Remote Sensing for North Africa, exploring shared research interests and opportunities for strengthened regional cooperation.

Discussions resulted in a draft two-year research roadmap and the exchange of best practices, including the Agri NexusHub for irrigation management and advanced groundwater-assessment methods. More info is available here.

 

Through extensive local, national, regional, and global cooperation, CUT actively contributes to water security by advancing scientific research, supporting public authorities, engaging in international networks, and providing expert knowledge. These collaborations reinforce Cyprus’s resilience to water scarcity, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote sustainable, evidence-based water management aligned with SDG 6.