The importance of reducing food waste at home and in the workplace was highlighted by the FoodPrint campaign in a series of seminars – workshops at Evening Technical and Vocational Schools (ESTEE), Lifelong Vocational Education and Training Programmes (LEVETPs) and Post-secondary Vocational Education and Training Institutes (VETIs) across Cyprus.

The seminars were held in cooperation with the Directorate of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DMEET) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Youth, from 1 to 9 February and were attended by third year students of the hotel programmes.
Specifically, the seminars were held at the ESTEE and PDEEK Larnaca (1/2), Paralimnios – Famagusta (3/2), Nicosia (7/2), Paphos (8/2) and Polemidia – Limassol (9/2).

This is the second cycle of seminars organised in public education. Last November, similar seminars were held for students of the MIEEKs of the IMTEEK.

The participants had the opportunity to learn about the serious problem of food waste at European level and in Cyprus. The FoodPrint trainers presented surveys and comparative data of the campaign which for the first time are being conducted in Cyprus, in the light of the new targets set by the EU for the reduction of urban waste. The informative videos of the campaign were shown and a presentation of the first Partnership Platform in Cyprus for the supply of intact food to vulnerable groups and charities was also given.
The ESTEP and the EPFBC Programmes aim to:

The continuous training of technical staff to enable them to respond to the new needs of the labour market.
To provide citizens with the opportunity to acquire additional qualifications that will help them in securing jobs or in their professional and personal development.

Providing opportunities for people who have not completed their secondary school, high school or technical and vocational education and training to acquire knowledge, competences and skills that will help them in their professional rehabilitation.
Providing social outreach and Lifelong Learning opportunities to people who are interested in continuous training and enrichment of their knowledge and skills.

The ESTEE and IDBEC programs are provided in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta and Paphos and operate four (4) days a week, from 17:30 to 21:00.  Graduates of the ESTEE and IDBEEK acquire qualifications to work in productive sectors of the economy.

Participants shared their own experiences and developed ideas based on the good practices presented on what they could do to better manage food, avoid waste and change the culture at home and at work.

In Cyprus, based on surveys, food wastage in households amounts to 182 kilos per person every year, which is about half a kilo per day! This could be largely avoided and consumed, saving money, protecting the environment and giving to those in need.

The FOODPrint team’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education will continue until its completion.
For more information: 22875561 – [email protected]