21/01/2026
Desert dust storms, combined with existing anthropogenic pollution, increasingly degrade air quality, public health, and quality of life in Cyprus, particularly in already burdened areas
Against this backdrop, the 7th CIROCCO Stakeholder Workshop was organized in Idhalium Municipal Cultural Centrer, a EU Horizon project pilot area of the Municipality of South Nicosia –Idaliou (Δήμος Νότιας Λευκωσίας-Ιδαλίου), led by the EFM-Lab of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - University of Cyprus, bringing together local authorities, scientists, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to discuss challenges, share knowledge, and co-design solutions.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Municipality of South Nicosia– Idaliou, introduced the public to the CIROCCO Project, focusing on the monitoring and modelling of particulate matter originating from desert dust transport as well as anthropogenic activities.
🔹 The workshop opened with a presentation of the CIROCCO project, explaining how natural dust events and human-related emissions interact and impact local air quality.
🔹 Interactive stakeholder group sessions followed, enabling municipal representatives, scientists, policymakers, and citizens to discuss local problems, reflect on project results, and propose practical measures and future actions.
🔹 The event concluded with a collective decision to organise a visit to the Ancient Idalion Archaeological Site, strengthening the link between environmental research, cultural heritage, and the local context.
The workshop highlighted the importance of science–policy–society dialogue in addressing complex air quality challenges and demonstrated how collaborative approaches can support informed decision-making at the local level.
Thank you to all participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions.
