Information

The activities and strategic priorities of the NOUS Urban Sustainability Hub are firmly anchored in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global goals serve as a unifying framework for our efforts — shaping how we define impact, prioritize actions, and engage our stakeholders. Each of our six focus areas directly contributes to the achievement of multiple SDG targets, ensuring that local innovation in Nicosia resonates with global sustainability ambitions.

Circular Economy & Waste Reduction

From waste to value — creating local loops that minimize environmental impact.

We foster innovation in:

  • Waste prevention and reuse: Encouraging practices and policies that reduce consumption at the source and promote the creative reuse of materials before they become waste.
  • Repair and upcycling solutions: Supporting local repair cafés, maker spaces, and circular design labs that extend the life of products through repair, redesign, or creative transformation.
  • Community composting and zero-waste practices: Facilitating neighborhood-scale composting programs, awareness campaigns, and citizen-led actions that reduce organic and packaging waste while regenerating local soil.
  • New business models for product life extension: Incubating startups and ventures that apply circular business models such as product-as-a-service, take-back schemes, and modular design to keep materials in use longer and reduce environmental impact.

Startups and community groups are supported to co-develop practical, scalable circular economy models — turning Strovolos into a beacon of resource-smart living

Energy Efficiency

Powering urban sustainability through smarter, cleaner energy use.

Energy efficiency lies at the heart of a resilient and low-carbon city. At NOUS, we champion strategies that reduce energy demand, optimize resource use, and empower local communities to take control of their energy footprint.

Our efforts focus on:

  • Smart energy management systems: Promoting the adoption of intelligent monitoring and automation tools that help households, institutions, and small businesses optimize their energy use.
  • Energy literacy and behavioral change: Supporting awareness campaigns, workshops, and digital tools that help citizens and organizations understand their energy consumption and adopt efficient practices.
  • Local energy strategies: Collaborating with the Municipality of Strovolos to develop integrated plans that align with EU climate and energy targets, including the 55% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 under the Covenant of Mayors.
  • Innovation in energy systems: Encouraging experimentation in areas such as decentralized energy production (e.g. solar PV), demand-side management, and energy storage — especially through citizen-led pilot projects and research collaborations.
  • Energy equity and inclusion: Ensuring that energy efficiency initiatives are accessible to all segments of the community, including low-income households and vulnerable groups, through targeted support and subsidies.

By reducing energy waste and empowering citizens to act, NOUS contributes to both environmental goals and energy justice — making clean energy transitions not only possible but participatory

Green Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Supporting ideas that make cities more sustainable — and businesses more resilient.

NOUS acts as an incubator and connector for:

  • Early-stage entrepreneurs with sustainability solutions: Offering mentoring, workspace, and business development support to individuals or teams with innovative ideas that address urban challenges such as waste, mobility, or climate resilience.
  • Startups emerging from the U-SOLVE program: Providing continuity and added value to startups nurtured under the EU-funded U-SOLVE program by integrating them into the local innovation ecosystem and expanding their reach.
  • Business models that create social and environmental value: Fostering enterprises that go beyond profit, aiming to generate measurable benefits for the environment and community — including circular economy models, green services, and inclusive technologies.

We offer mentoring, funding guidance, networking, and real-world testing opportunities for urban innovation

Digital Transformation

Harnessing technology and open data for inclusive and smart urban change.

We help local actors leverage:

  • Digital tools for citizen participation and co-design: Providing platforms and apps that allow residents to contribute ideas, report issues, and collaboratively shape urban projects and policies.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor networks (e.g. for air quality, mobility data): Deploying connected devices that collect real-time data on urban conditions — such as traffic flow, pollution, or temperature — to inform smarter planning and rapid response.
  • Data analytics to support evidence-based policy: Turning complex data into actionable insights for policymakers, enabling more effective decisions on transport, energy, public health, and sustainability initiatives.

By embedding digital infrastructure in the Hub’s services, we make urban innovation more accessible, agile, and citizen-centric

Climate Change

Climate extremes (e.g. heatwaves, floods) are already impacting Strovolos. The NOUS Hub promotes:

  • Local adaptation strategies: Supporting municipal and grassroots initiatives that prepare Strovolos for climate risks through tailored action plans, infrastructure upgrades, and policy development.
  • Community-based resilience planning: Engaging residents, schools, and local groups in identifying vulnerabilities, setting priorities, and co-creating strategies that protect people and assets from climate impacts.
  • Nature-based solutions (green corridors, permeable surfaces): Integrating ecosystems into urban planning — such as tree-lined walkways, flood-absorbing parks, and water-permeable pavements — to buffer against climate stress and enhance quality of life.
  • Public engagement on climate science: Making climate knowledge accessible through workshops, campaigns, and citizen science so that people can understand risks, take action, and influence policy with data-informed insights.

We work in alignment with municipal, national, and EU-wide targets for carbon neutrality and climate preparedness