Omodos village recently welcomed project partners, Cultural Ambassadors, and local community members for the Final Conference of the NEW INHERIT project, held at the beautiful Ktima Gerolemo winery. With vineyards all around, traditional stone buildings, and the warm character of one of Cyprus’ most historic villages, the gathering felt like a fitting celebration of two years of teamwork, creativity, and cultural activity across Europe.
Welcome
The conference opened with a heartfelt greeting from Community Leader Mr. Evgenios Michael, who highlighted the importance of engaging young people, revitalising cultural spaces, and preserving the unique heritage of Omodos. His words set the tone for a day dedicated to reflection, inspiration, and future possibilities.
This was followed by an overview from Emphasys Centre, the Cypriot partner of the project, presenting the local and European activities carried out throughout the NEW INHERIT journey. Participants were then introduced to the project’s vision, goals, achievements and activities of the Cypriot Cultural Ambassadors—showcasing how heritage preservation can be reimagined through adaptive reuse, creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Voices of the Cultural Ambassadors
One of the most inspiring moments of the conference came from the testimonials of two Cultural Ambassadors, who shared their personal stories and experiences from the project’s study visits in Weimar (Germany), Murcia (Spain), and Brussels (Belgium).
They reflected on how NEW INHERIT empowered them to:
- develop new skills,
- connect with European networks,
- engage with heritage in innovative ways,
- and bring fresh ideas back to their communities.
Their stories highlighted the transformative impact of the project on young professionals eager to redefine cultural spaces.
Insights from Local Innovators
The conference continued with presentations from two remarkable women driving local cultural and sustainable entrepreneurship:
- Irene Panayi, Civil Engineer and founder of Arcadia CY, spoke about her work in ethical design, nature-inspired creativity, and the importance of community-rooted innovation.
- Eleni Athinodorou from Ktima Gerolemo Winery and also musician, shared the history of the winery and its growing role as a meeting point for cultural and educational activities, and how Heritage and Culture enhanced through the NEW INHERIT project.
Their contributions demonstrated how tradition and modern entrepreneurship can work hand-in-hand to enrich rural communities.
A Taste of Local Heritage
Attendees were then treated to a local brunch hosted by Ktima Gerolemo, featuring Cypriot flavours and warm hospitality. The meal provided space for networking, exchange of ideas, and discussions about future collaborations.
Hands-On Creativity: Workshops Led by Ambassadors
The final part of the conference invited participants to immerse themselves in three interactive workshops, each designed and led by the Cultural Ambassadors. These sessions explored themes such as: (a) sustainable materials and hand made crafts, (b) creative reinterpretation of heritage and (c) and community-led cultural activation.
The topics of the workshops were:
- Upcycling fabrics
- Painting on recycled bottles and wine glasses
- Rock Painting Mandala
The workshops captured the essence of the NEW INHERIT approach: connecting people through shared learning, creativity, and the joy of making.
Reflecting
The final conference in Omodos highlighted not only the achievements of the project but also the strong relationships built between partners, ambassadors, and local communities. The test-bed activation in Cyprus—focused on the Omodos Community Centre and Ktima Gerolemo—showed how heritage sites can transform into modern spaces for creation, learning, and collaboration.
Looking Ahead
While NEW INHERIT is concluding, the foundations laid during the project continue to bear fruit. The community spaces created, the skills developed, and the partnerships established will keep supporting new ideas, events, and cultural initiatives in Omodos and beyond.
The conference closed with a shared commitment to continue empowering young people, reimagining cultural heritage, and nurturing sustainable cultural ecosystems across Europe.
For more information, check out newinherit.eu