Nicosia Development Agency (ANEL) organized the first stakeholders’ meeting of the BIOPRO REGIONS project on 23 October 2025, marking an important step toward strengthening sustainable food systems in Cyprus. The project aims to enhance local and regional capacities to support the sustainable production, consumption and distribution of bio-based and local food products.

The meeting brought together representatives from key local authorities, including the Municipality of South Nicosia – Idalion, the Municipalities of Strovolos, Lakatamia and Latsia-Geri, as well as the Directorate General of Environment. Participants discussed the project’s objectives and the role of each partner. ANEL presented the main goals, emphasizing the creation of resilient local food chains, the promotion of circular and sustainable agricultural practices and the strengthening of policy instruments to facilitate the development of local bio-product markets.

Stakeholders also reviewed the outcomes of the project’s kick-off meeting in Portugal, where partners from eight countries shared experiences, outlined the work plan and participated in study visits to farms and restaurants to explore the valorization of endogenous products. Insights from the meeting in Sweden were also presented, highlighting food innovation and sustainable production practices in Dalarna, including the transformation of by-products, small-scale vegetable cultivation and direct-to-consumer sales. These examples provided stakeholders with practical approaches to inform implementation in Cyprus.

Throughout the meeting, ANEL highlighted how local governance and public sector engagement can influence policy instruments, underlining the importance of aligning local practices with regional and European policy frameworks to ensure interventions are effective, measurable and replicable.

This first stakeholders’ meeting represents a key milestone for BIOPRO REGIONS in Cyprus. It sets the stage for the development of regional action plans, pilot initiatives and knowledge exchange with international partners. With the active involvement of ANEL, the project is expected to have a significant impact on sustainable food production, local economic development and policy innovation in Cyprus.