Trade Fair | Mind Reset
Junior Achievement Cyprus proudly announces the outstanding success of the 2nd MindREset Trade Fair, which took place over the weekend. The event brought together 85 student companies from primary and secondary schools, showcasing their innovative ideas to address environmental challenges in the field of plastic.
345 students aged 10-14 participated in the 2nd Trade Fair of the “mind REset” programme of Junior Achievement Cyprus, which took place on the 13th and 14th of January 2024 at Metropolis Mall of Larnaca. The young entrepreneurs represented 85 student companies from 27 schools across Cyprus, who presented and sold their innovative products and services to the public.
The event was welcomed by Mrs. Antigoni Komodiki, CEO of JA Cyprus, Mrs. Ziannet Hadjiiosif, and Mrs. Fotini Christopoulou, Inspectors of Secondary and Primary Education respectively, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Dr. Athena Michaelidou, Mr. Georgios Dimitroulakis and Mrs. Nikoleta Filippidou, Communication and Corporate Responsibility Department, Lidl Cyprus and Mr. Andreas Papadopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Junior Achievement Cyprus.
The student companies emerged within the framework of the “mind REset” programme, an engaging and interactive initiative offering five modules tailored for 5th and 6th-grade students in Primary School and 1st and 2nd-grade students in Secondary School. The programme is provided at no cost to both public and private schools across Cyprus and holds approval from the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth.
Designed to immerse students in the realms of environmental entrepreneurship and the circular economy, the program is crafted to instill skills that contribute to the safeguarding and sustainability of the environment.
Throughout the course of the program, students formed teams and were tasked with conceiving a product or service. They meticulously developed and submitted a comprehensive business plan, showcasing their innovative ideas. The culmination of their efforts was presented at the Trade Fair.
A distinguished Jury Committee, comprising experts in the fields of business, innovation, and the environment, meticulously evaluated not only the business plans but also the teams’ presentations during the Trade Fair, conducting insightful interviews to gauge the depth and viability of their projects. The jury committee consisted of: Christina Achilleos (InnoEUsphere), Adeline Hadjiosif (CYENS), Andreas Papallas (Makerspace Larnaca), Georgios Dimitroulakis (LIDL Cyprus), Leda Solomonidou (Makerspace Lanaca), Michalis Kalopaidis (Zedem Media), Zoe Makridou (Terra Cypria), Panayiotis Kakourides (Crowdbase), Aggeliki Haliou (BoD YEU), Nikoleta Filippidou (Lidl Cyprus), Sara-Mariza Vryonides (Friends of the Earth Cyprus) and Harrys Angeli (Hellas Sat.).
The judges’ evaluations determined the 10 finalist teams (5 coming from Primary and 5 from Secondary Schools), who will participate in the Finale and Award Ceremony of the Competition mind REsetters of the Year 2023-2024, taking place on the 9th of February 2024.
The five finalist teams from Secondary School in alphabetical order are:
- Eggsclusive – Engomi Gymnasium- Kyriakos Neocleous
- POLY BRICK – Pancyprian Gymnasium
- Rebracelet – Kokkinohoria Gymnasium – Panou Ioannou
- RECAF – Stavros Gymnasium (Nicosia)
- SAFE STRAW – Pancyprian Gymnasium
The five finalist teams from Primary School in alphabetical order are:
- Hairbombz – Engomi A Primary School
- Planet Preservers – Kapedes Primary School
- PLANt Be – Stavros Primary School (Nicosia)
- Salty Box – Kissonergas Primary School – Christou Kkeli
- Το Πατσιαούριν – Paphos B Primary School – Dimitreio
These exceptional teams demonstrated not only creativity but also a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. We congratulate all the participants for their hard work and dedication!
The winner of each level will travel to Vienna to participate in JA Austria’s International Trade Fair.
Special thanks to Metropolis Mall of Larnaca for hosting our Trade Fair and to MixFM for the Live Link.
For more information visit our website at www.jacyprus.org or contact the coordinator of the programme, Marios Kakouris, at +357-99203701 or at marios.kakouris@jacyprus.org.
