Short Description/Objective 

The project aims to improve the energy efficiency and comfort conditions of a number of public-school buildings in Cyprus, thus contributing to the achievement of the National and European Goals of Cyprus on energy and climate.

This project seeks a Holistic School Approach focusing on creating a positive environment in schools by shaping the characteristics of school buildings (thermal comfort, ventilation, lighting) as important components in shaping the environmental and energy awareness of all participants in the educational process, but mainly as determining factors in ensuring the quality of learning and improving learning outcomes.

The implementation of the project is based on the energy needs assessment model for upgrading school buildings in Cyprus, which has been developed within the framework of the PEDIA project and the EU Horizon 2020 Programme, where 25 school buildings are to be converted into Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). The construction part of the project is co-funded by the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA2021-2027”, while the part concerning the technical support of the project is funded by the EU PDA (Project Development Assistance) of Horizon 2020 Programme, and by the PEDIA project.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes 

The project is expected to lead to the transition from piecemeal temporary and individual solutions to long-term holistic and permanent approaches, where the schools themselves, in addition to zero energy consumption buildings, will become an organic part of the school’s pedagogical and social functions.

The project is also expected to be the starting point for the development of a long-term energy renovation strategy for all public-school buildings, introducing a process framework for energy upgrades based on environmental, energy and socio-economic criteria.