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1. New technologies in support of creativity and innovation

2. Facilitating access to culture through new technologies

New technologies in support of creativity and innovation

The Youth Makerspace Larnaka is a venue of innovation, built upon the example of similar successful venues. It aims to offer to young people the opportunity to have access to high-end technological equipment that will enable them to develop their business ideas and put them into practice. Refer to section 3.8 Development of entrepreneurship competence of Chapter 3 ‘Employment & Entrepreneurship’, under the subsection of ‘Non-formal and informal learning’ to find more about this space and its unit of Mobile Makerspace which aims to reach young people who live in rural areas, away from urban centres, and who therefore do not have easy access to creative programmes and innovative technologies.

Moreover, the programme of the Youth Board of Cyprus (YBC), ‘The STEAMers’ is based on the standards of S.T.E.A.M. Centers abroad. The initials refer to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The program offers workshops in Robotics, Programming, Photography, Graphic Design, Creative Writing, Music, Theater, Art, and Dance. The majority of the workshops are based on the use of new technologies, aiming to empower young people’s creativity. As noted in the MESY Annual Report 2024, during 2024, ‘The STEAMers’ programme evolved into ‘The STEAMers Kidz’. Under the scientific supervision of Frederick University, the programme offered interactive workshops on Robotics, Coding, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Content Creation for primary and secondary school children. With 31 workshops across seven Youth Multipurpose Centres (Polykentra) in Cyprus, the programme engaged 247 participants, combining education with fun and hands-on experiences.

The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY) has set as high priority the integration and exploitation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The ICT Unit of MESY, aims at better managing and coordinating ICT-related projects and modernising the administrative structures, procedures and services of the MESY. It is also responsible for equipping public schools with the technology infrastructure and tools needed to support teaching and learning and school administration.

As stated in the ‘Annual Report 2024’ of the MESY, during 2024, in the framework of digital transformation, the ICT Unit through the Framework Agreement of the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus, purchased 175 Desktop Computers, 55 Laser-type projectors, 445 printers and 95 multifunction machines which have been delivered to public schools of all educational levels.

Also, through the Department of Educational Technology (DET) of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, the implementation of programmes of continuing professional learning in the area of ICT, promotes innovations related to the use of new technologies in education. At the same time, it provides pedagogical and technical support facilitating the effective use of ICT, including online learning, communication and management. In addition, DET contributes towards national and European policy papers and guidelines on behalf of the MESY and implements projects that support the work of the Ministry’s ICT Unit. The implementation of the activities are in line with the ‘Digital Competence Framework (DigComp)’ of the European Union.

The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) excels in the promotion of new technologies. CUT operates the CUTing Edge: An American Space which aims to provide an inspirational place where people can relax and embrace technology, become innovators and present their work to the worldwide community. It also aims to promote entrepreneurship for young people, introduce various possibilities that are available and prepare them for a competitive business and working environment.

Facilitating access to culture through new technologies

There are some initiatives that facilitate access to culture through new technologies such as the:

• Youth Makerspace Larnaka which aims at helping children and young people to develop their skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, design and critical thinking, with advanced technological equipment which is available to young people free of charge.  For more information, please read the previous sub- section on New technologies in support of creativity and innovation.

• Cyprus Digital Heritage is a digital initiative of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH) which aims at preserving and sharing the cultural heritage of the island. The initiative uses innovative technologies like 3D Reconstruction and Virtual Reality to ensure accurate preservation and immersive exploration of heritage sites. It encourages intergenerational communication and encourages youth participation in the preservation of Cyprus’s shared cultural legacy. With the support of TCCH, the European Union and UNDP, Cyprus Digital Heritage is making history accessible to all.

• MONDIACULT Digital Library of UNESCO linked to the 2025 MONDIACULT Cultural Policy Conference in which Cyprus also participates. This open-access digital platform aims to provide resources across 8 thematic areas: cultural rights; digital technologies and culture; culture and education; the cultural economy; culture and climate action; culture, heritage and crisis; culture for peace; and artificial intelligence and culture. The initiative enhances access to knowledge by offering freely available digital content, supporting young people, students, and researchers in engaging with cultural heritage from a global perspective. The Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO promoted the call (Δημιουργία Ψηφιακής Βιβλιοθήκης UNESCO για θέματα MONDIACULT 2025) for contributions at national level, encouraging the participation of experts based in Cyprus, including youth cultural organisations, young artists, and cultural professionals.