The Tiganokinisi (InnovOleum) initiative, developed by AKTI Project and Research Centre, is an educational-environmental program that promotes sustainability through the recycling of used cooking oil (UCO). The initiative transforms UCO into biodiesel, funding environmental education in 495 schools across Cyprus, while also operating a mobile unit, the Caravan, which provides interactive environmental education.
Since its inception in 2012, Tiganokinisi now reaches 98% of Cyprus schools, organizing over 800 environmental actions and distributing 500,000 euros. Supported by Chevron Corporation’s CSR Grant, the program educates 20,000 students and 4,000 members of the public annually. Recognized by the European Commission and awarded the GENE Global Education Award in 2021, Tiganokinisi is a shining example of how environmental responsibility and education can create lasting positive impacts, inspiring sustainable practices and empowering future generations.
The Tiganokinisi (InnovOleum) initiative was developed and implemented by the non-profit, non-governmental organization AKTI Project and Research Centre in collaboration with the Unit for Education for the Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD) and is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. It is an educational-environmental program that promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility through the collection of harmful used cooking oil (UCO). Through this programme, students learn how UCO can be transformed into biodiesel, and schools gain resources for environmental education and support of their environmental infrastructure, for the benefit of students all over Cyprus!
Tiganokinisi started as a pilot application in 5 schools during the school year 2012–2013 and was expanded to include today over 500 schools, corresponding to approximately 98% of the primary and secondary schools in Cyprus. The novelty of Tiganokinisi is the close link between environmental education and the provision of funds to schools through the sale of the collected UCO. To date, over 500,000 Euros have been distributed to Cypriot schools and over 900 actions have been implemented with this money.
Tiganokinisi provides environmental education to participating schools also through its mobile educational unit, the Caravan. The Caravan offers interactive experiments showcasing a wide range of environmental technologies. These include the process of converting UCO into biodiesel, water and energy-saving solutions, renewable energy sources, and applied composting techniques. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Caravan visited 100 schools, 5 rural festivals and 24 local communities promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility to at least 21,000 students and at least 12 000 members of the general public. The Tiganokinisi Caravan is supported by the CSR Grant of Chevron Cyprus Limited.
Due to its innovative and disruptive characteristics, Tiganokinisi has received national and international acknowledgement: It was recognized in 2020 by the European Commission as one of EU’s best practices in Social Innovation, representing Cyprus, has been awarded in 2021 with an exemplifying quality certification in GENE Global education Award and has been presented by the Cypriot Minister of Education in his welcome speech during the Ninth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference in October 2022 as a best practice for education on sustainability.
The Project is developed and run by AKTI Project and Research Centre. The Tiganokinisi Caravan is supported by the CSR Grant of Chevron Cyprus Limited.
AKTI Project and Research Centre is a non governmental, non-profit organisation based in Nicosia, Cyprus. It was established in 2000 by a group of experts in environmental issues and has succeeded today to create an extensive network of collaborators and volunteers for raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable development.
