115540
# of people reached
8160
# of people engaged
200000
# of people expected to be reached in the next 5 years
Project Completion Report
CY_AD_02 CYPRUS AWARENESS AND EDUCATION STUDY (CARES)
October 2024 - October 2025
This groundbreaking ESA initiative, titled "Space Horizons: Bridging the Gap Between Cyprus and the Cosmos," aimed to elevate Cyprus's engagement with space science and technology and to familiarize the Cypriot public with the related fields
The project was led by 1010 COSMOS as the Prime Contractor, supported by the Subcontractors INTERSTELLAR INSTITUTE and ADELVE Research, Innovation, Consulting & Trade, and was framed by the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy. It successfully brought together a consortium of leading Cypriot experts, internationally renowned astrophysicists, and was reinforced by the country’s leading astronomy infrastructures with cutting-edge technologies, such as the Troodos Observatory, Amiantos & Arodes Astroparks, and the Idalion Lyceum Science Park. This ambitious one-year program significantly strengthened public understanding and appreciation of space science and its practical applications in everyday life. The planned activities included innovative school visits, the production of space-themed films relating to Cyprus, TV/Radio informative shows, art exhibitions, public talks by experts, interactive competitions, and a festival of Space science and technology at the Tamasos Metropolis. All activities were offered FREE of charge to the public. Project Legacy and Continuation We are proud to announce that many activities will continue due to exceptional public demand, even following the project's official completion. The continuity of these key activities demonstrates the program's lasting impact: •WP1 - DEC website videos will continue, as will the news feed. •WP2 - School Visits are in high demand and will continue with a basic fee. •WP3 - Public Displays (printed) will be offered to upcoming events such as the new science fair. •WP4 - Space Film Theme Nights will continue at the Troodos Observatory (free during events and with a basic fee on weekends). •WP5 - Public Talks will continue to be offered free of charge at events. •WP6 - TV & Radio Shows will continue due to sustained demand from the media and the raised public interest in Space. •WP7 - "Troodos Rising to the Stars" will be featured daily for schools at the Troodos Observatory. •WP8 - "Art & Space" will publish a 2025 calendar featuring all winning entries. •WP9 - New School Competitions will be offered by interested schools, for which we will provide the prizes/gifts
The successful completion of the CARES project resulted in the people of Cyprus now widely recognizing the European Space Agency (ESA) as a leading force in space exploration, celebrating its role in advancing innovation and collaboration as Cyprus embraces its new status as an ESA associate member.
All activities were offered FREE of charge to the public.
Press Conference
December 17, 2024 | 10:30 | ARTos House, Nicosia
WP1: DEC Website Content Upgrade
Purpose: Enhance the DEC website into a user-focused platform aligned with ESA CARES communication, education, and outreach goals.
ESA CARES DEC WP1
00. INTRO


00. INTRO

0.1 DEC short

02.DEC
WP2: School Outreach Program
Purpose: Promote space science awareness among students across Cyprus through immersive, ESA-aligned
educational visits to 16 schools.
WP3: Public Displays - Space & Astronomy Fair
Objectives: Inspire public curiosity in space science and ESA missions
Integrate outcomes from all ESA CARES work packages
Delivered:
hands-on, inclusive experiences to all ages
WP4: Space-themed Film Nights
Goal: Combine cinematic storytelling with scientific learning to inspire broad public interest
in ESA missions and space science.
WP5: Public Talks
Purpose: Inspire interest in space science, highlight Cyprus’s role in ESA, and bridge experts with the public.
WP6: TV & Radio Shows
Goal: Deliver immersive, scientifically accurate, and locally relevant space education through
mass media presence.
Media Articles
WP7: Planetarium Film Shows
Goal: Deliver immersive, scientifically accurate, and locally relevant space education through
dome-based cinematic experiences.
Troodos
Rising to the Stars
created by
Theofanis Matsopoulos
&
directed by
Stelios Tryfon
"Troodos: Rising to the Stars" is an ode to the power of nature, scientific curiosity, and the continuous human quest for knowledge, connecting Cyprus with the past, present, and future of the Earth and the universe.
Daily Screenings at
Troodos Observatory

WP8: Art & Space
Goal: Celebrate the aesthetic and emotional power of astronomy through a national
Astrophotography Exhibition and public participation campaign.
Cosmic Dreams Realized: The ESA CARES Astrophotography Contest Concludes!
The celestial curtain closed on an incredible display of artistry and science!
Sky-watchers across Cyprus delivered a spectacular testament to our night sky in the ESA CARES Astrophotography Contest.
From August 1st to August 30th, 2025, the community journeyed through our Online Voting Gallery, their collective voice guiding the brightest captures to the forefront.
The dedication paid off: our top-voted visionaries secured their place in the stars!
Their stunning work earned coveted features in the upcoming 2026 ESA CARES Astronomical Calendar, prestigious exhibition prints at ESA CARES events, and top-tier gear from our partners at 1010 Cosmos.
A universe of thanks to everyone who voted and shared—your engagement illuminated the exceptional talent of Cyprus!

ESA CARES EXHIBITED AT TROODOS OBSERVATORY






WP9: Challenges & Competitions
Goal: Promote space science learning through active, hands-on competitions for students
and visitors of all ages.




Awards Ceremony
September 28th, 2025

Winning Projects
September 28th, 2025
ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΟ
A1. Ιστορίες για Διαστημικά Ταξίδια!
Γίνε συγγραφέας και φτιάξε μια απίστευτη ιστορία για ένα διαστημικό ταξίδι! Θα συναντήσεις εξωγήινους; Θα ανακαλύψεις νέους πλανήτες; Η φαντασία σου είναι το όριο!
A2. Κολάζ - Σχεδιάγραμμα
Μπορείς να εξηγήσεις κάτι από τη διαστημική επιστήμη με εικόνες και χρώματα; Δείξε μας πώς λειτουργεί ένας πύραυλος, πώς δημιουργείται μια μαύρη τρύπα ή ότι άλλο βρίσκεις εσύ ενδιαφέρον!
A3. Σχέδιο
Διάλεξε έναν πλανήτη, έναν αστερισμό ή ένα φανταστικό εξωγήινο και ζωγράφισέ τον με τον πιο αριστουργηματικό τρόπο! Μήπως μπορείς να σχεδιάσεις κάτι ακόμα πιό πρωτότυπο;
A4. Διαδραστική Κατασκευή - Προσομοίωση
Ένας πύραυλος που εκτοξεύεται; Ένα ηλιακό σύστημα που περιστρέφεται; Η αστερισμοί από κάποιο άλλο αστέρι; Χρησιμοποίησε τη φαντασία και τα χέρια σου για να φτιάξεις κάτι που ζωντανεύει!
A5. Σύντομο Εκπαιδευτικό Βίντεο
Γίνε σκηνοθέτης του δικού σου διαστημικού ντοκιμαντέρ! Διάλεξε το αγαπημένο σου κομμάτι από τις επιστήμες του διαστήματος και φτιάξε ένα μικρό βίντεο! Μπορείς να το εξηγήσεις με σχέδια, stop-motion ή ακόμα και να συμμετάσχεις ως δημοσιογράφος ή science communicator!
ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟ
B1. Έρευνα - Η Φωτορύπανση από το Σπίτι μου
Βγες έξω, κοίταξε τον ουρανό και μέτρησε πόσα αστέρια μπορείς να δεις! Είναι έντονη η φωτορύπανση εκεί που ζεις; Κατάγραψε τα δεδομένα σου και σκέψου τρόπους να προστατέψουμε το νυχτερινό ουρανό!
B2. Αφίσα
Χρησιμοποίησε εικόνες, σχέδια και λέξεις για να εξηγήσεις μια συναρπαστική πτυχή της διαστημικής επιστήμης! Μπορεί να είναι για μαύρες τρύπες, εξωπλανήτες ή ακόμα και αποστολές στον Άρη!
B3. Σχέδιο
Μπορείς να αποτυπώσεις έναν γαλαξία, ένα διαστημόπλοιο ή έναν εξωγήινο κόσμο στο χαρτί; Άφησε τη φαντασία σου ελεύθερη!
B4. Διαδραστική Κατασκευή - Προσομοίωση
Μπορείς να δημιουργήσεις ένα μοντέλο του ηλιακού συστήματος, ένα διαστημικό όχημα ή μια προσομοίωση της βαρύτητας; Ξεπέρασε τα όρια της δημιουργικότητάς σου και δείξε μας πώς λειτουργεί το σύμπαν!
Β5. Σύντομο Εκπαιδευτικό Βίντεο
Διάλεξε ένα επιστημονικό φαινόμενο, όπως τις εκλείψεις ή τις μαύρες τρύπες, και εξήγησέ το με τον πιο δημιουργικό τρόπο σε ένα βίντεο!
ΛΥΚΕΙΟ
Γ1. Ανάπτυξη Εφαρμογής
Αν αγαπάς τον προγραμματισμό, τότε αυτή είναι η κατηγορία σου! Φτιάξε μια εφαρμογή που να αξιοποιεί αστρονομικά δεδομένα! Θα μπορούσε να βοηθάει στην εξερεύνηση του διαστήματος ή στη μελέτη της Γης από δορυφόρους!
Γ2. Αφίσα
Ανέβασε το επίπεδο της επιστημονικής αφίσας και δημιούργησε κάτι που όχι μόνο ενημερώνει αλλά και εντυπωσιάζει!
Γ3. Σχέδιο
Μπορείς να αποτυπώσεις τις πιο περίεργες και όμορφες πτυχές του διαστήματος; Σχεδίασε έναν πλανήτη, έναν κομήτη ή ακόμα και ένα διαστημικό όχημα του μέλλοντος! Η φαντασία σου είναι το μοναδικό όριο!
Γ4. Σύντομο Εκπαιδευτικό Βίντεο
Φτιάξε μια κατασκευή με κινούμενα μέρη, όπως ένα ρομπότ εξερεύνησης, έναν προσομοιωτή διαστημικών συνθηκών ή ένα μοντέλο διαστημικού σταθμού! Εσύ τι θα μπορούσες να σκεφτείς;
Γ5. Μουσική Σύνθεση
Τι ήχο έχει το σύμπαν; Μπορείς να εμπνευστείς από τους πλανήτες, τα ραδιοκύματα του διαστήματος ή τις διαστημικές αποστολές και να δημιουργήσεις τη δική σου μουσική σύνθεση; Χρησιμοποίησε αληθινά αστρονομικά δεδομένα, ήχους από το διάστημα και τη φαντασία σου για να δημιουργήσεις μια μουσική σύνθεση! Θα φτιάξεις μια γαλαξιακή συμφωνία; Ένα ηχητικό τοπίο από έναν εξωπλανήτη; Ή μήπως τον ρυθμό μιας μαύρης τρύπας;
PRIMARY
A1. Space Travel Stories!
Become a writer and create an incredible story about a space journey! Will you meet aliens? Will you discover new planets? Your imagination is the limit!
A2. Collage - Diagram
Can you explain something from space science with pictures and colors? Show us how a rocket works, how a black hole is created, or anything else you find interesting!
A3. Drawing
Choose a planet, a constellation or a fictional alien and draw it in the most masterful way! Can you draw something innovative?
A4. Interactive Construction - Simulation
A rocket launching? A solar system rotating? Constellations from another star? Use your imagination and hands to create something that comes to life!
A5. Short Educational Video
Become the director of your own space documentary! Choose your favorite topic from space sciences and create a short video! You can explain it with drawings, stop-motion, or even participate as a journalist or science communicator!
SECONDARY
B1. Research - Light Pollution from My Home
Go outside, look at the sky, and count how many stars you can see! Is light pollution strong where you live? Record your data and think of ways to protect the night sky!
B2. Poster
Use images, drawings, and words to explain an exciting aspect of space science! It could be about black holes, exoplanets, or even missions to Mars!
B3. Drawing
Can you depict a galaxy, a spaceship, or an alien world on paper? Let your imagination run free!
B4. Interactive Construction - Simulation
Can you create a model of the solar system, a space vehicle, or a gravity simulation? Push the limits of your creativity and show us how the universe works!
B5. Short Educational Video
Choose a scientific phenomenon, such as eclipses or black holes, and explain it in the most creative way in a video!
LYCEUM
Γ1. Application Development
If you love programming, then this is your category! Create an application that utilizes astronomical data! It could assist in space exploration or the study of Earth from satellites!
Γ2. Poster
Take scientific posters to the next level and create something that not only informs but also impresses!
Γ3. Drawing
Can you capture the strangest and most beautiful aspects of space? Draw a planet, a comet, or even a futuristic spacecraft! Your imagination is the only limit!
Γ4. Short Educational Video
Create a construction with moving parts, such as an exploration robot, a space conditions simulator, or a model of a space station! What could you come up with?
Γ5. Music Composition
What does the universe sound like? Can you draw inspiration from the planets, space radio waves, or space missions and create your own musical composition? Use real astronomical data, sounds from space, and your imagination to craft a musical piece! Will you create a galactic symphony? A soundscape from an exoplanet? Or perhaps the rhythm of a black hole?
WP-0: Project Administrative Tools
From this point down, material presented in the website is tools used for engagement, KPI's and feedback




























































































































































































