Cyprus’ Ideodromio programme has strengthened links between education and business, giving students from gymnasiums, lyceums and technical schools the chance to develop and present socially driven and innovative ideas, Pedagogical Institute director Elena Hadjikakou said.

Addressing the programme’s annual conference and final competition, Hadjikakou said students had presented “very interesting, innovative ideas” and had the opportunity to listen to and meet young Cypriot entrepreneurs who had gone on to build their own start-ups, according to a statement by the education ministry.

She added that the competition had been embraced enthusiastically by schools and had created opportunities for creative work among groups of pupils with the support of teachers.

The gold award went to the gymnasium team of the Nicosia’s Pancyprian Gymnasium for Green Loop, a business idea aimed at tackling high levels of municipal waste and the environmental and financial burden linked to its management.

According to the statement, Green Loop is a smart bin designed to sort rubbish into four separate compartments within one larger bin, making recycling easier.

It is linked to a website and app that include gamification features and supports the automatic separation of waste.