05/2025 – On-site visits by the European Commission Representation to Co-funded Projects

Limassol District:

The DG REGIO delegation, accompanied by the Director for Growth, officers of DG Growth and the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), visited Kolla Factory (former Coca-Cola factory), which hosted, on 15 and 16 May 2025, REFLECT Festival, the largest technology and entrepreneurship event for start-ups, investors and decision-makers with over 10,000 participants, connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

During the visit, the delegation met with the Director General of the RIF and two researchers, who presented their projects funded under the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”.

Research Project “COMPLEXION”

The research project “COMPLEXION” relates to the development and marketing of an innovative digital platform that allows decision-makers to control the complexity of construction projects, optimising resource efficiency and effectiveness, while attracting private capital to maximise global market penetration and accelerate the growth trajectory of the host company.

The research project, with a budget of €500,000, was co-funded by the EU under the SEED call of RIF’s RESTART Programmes, which are part of the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”.

Research Project of Mighty Meat Kitchen Ltd

The research project (application) of Mighty Meat Kitchen Ltd investigates the use of nanoemulsion gels enhanced with specific bioactive compounds of varying polarity in plant-based meat alternatives to improve sensory and nutritional characteristics. The application fortifies meat alternatives with health-promoting additives that are not found in most animal products, such as dietary fiber and nutrients. This technology works as a stand-alone ingredient, helping to expand the company’s business by attracting more investors or other companies looking to broaden their range.

The research project, with a budget of €40,000, was co-funded by the EU under the CONCEPT call of RIF’s RESTART Programmes, which are part of the Cohesion Policy Programne “THALIA 2021-2027”.

Project “Restoration of Municipal Apartment Buildings and Use for Social Services”

The DG REGIO delegation, accompanied by the Director of Growth, officers of DG Growth, the Mayor and officers of Limassol Municipality, visited the project “Restoration of Municipal Apartment Buildings and Use for Social Services”.

The three municipal apartment buildings on Misiaouli-Kavazoglou Street were restored and converted into social and cultural infrastructure. The first municipal apartment building operates as a Multipurpose Social Services Centre. The second serves as an After-School Centre for Children and Adolescents, while the third hosts Actions and Programmes focused on the contemporary needs of young people aged 13-35. In brief, the regeneration of the municipal apartment buildings will help improve the image of the area and support social cohesion among residents.

The project was co-funded by the EU and is a phased project, for which €1.9 million was co-funded by the “Competitiveness and Sustainable Development 2014-2020” Programme and €4.6 million by the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”.

Larnaca District:

The DG EMPL delegation, accompanied by officers from DG Growth, the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, and the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth, visited Kofinou Primary School in Larnaca District.

Project “School and Social Integration Actions Plus (DRA.S.E.+)” – Kofinou Primary School

Kofinou Primary School is a school with special characteristics, due to the large number of students of migrant background (50%). During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to discuss with the teaching staff, while the school’s headmaster gave a tour of the classrooms and assembly halls, where the various activities offered under the DRAS.E.+ Programme were presented.

The Programme offers equal opportunities for participation in public education without discrimination or exclusion. Promoting inclusive education, it offers free remedial teaching and creative activities, participation in alternative forms of learning, as well as Greek language lessons for students and parents of migrant background to support their integration into Cypriot society. More than 30,000 students in 178 schools across Cyprus are participating in DRA.S.E. during the current school year, gaining valuable language, social, and educational skills and experiences. The Programme opens new avenues of knowledge, support, and creativity for all children in Cyprus.

The project, of a total budget of €60 million, is implemented under the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027” with co-funding from the EU. 

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