Bringing Code, Connection and Peace to the Heart of Cyprus
29/05/25
Each October, during EU Code Week, something truly inspiring happens on the divided island of Cyprus. For the past four years, Mert Balin and Alexandros Kofteros, extraordinary Cypriot teachers have been co-organising a remarkable series of teacher trainings that go beyond just coding and robotics. Together with a dedicated team, they have created a space where technology becomes a bridge between communities.
These training sessions welcome both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot teachers into the buffer zone in Nicosia, an area under the protection of the United Nations Forces in Cyprus (UNFICYP). With the support of the UN and the EU Commission’s Representation in Cyprus, the events have become a symbol of what collaboration and creativity can achieve when barriers are replaced by shared purpose.
From the Classroom to the Community – Year-Round Learning
The story doesn’t end in October. After the main training event, the team keeps the momentum going through monthly webinars, giving ongoing support to teachers throughout the school year. It all culminates in a major science fair – a joyful gathering of students, parents and educators, where the learning comes to life in the most hands-on way possible.
This school year’s focus has been coding and the Internet of Things. Students have been diving into projects with Micro:bits and taking part in the AstroPi Mission Zero Challenge, blending creativity with real-world problem solving. The grand finale will take place on 21 June – a science fair with a fresh and fashionable twist. With help from local fashion designers, students will upcycle a t-shirt, then take part in a Micro:bit workshop where they’ll integrate their device into the wearable piece they’ve just redesigned. Whether it displays their name, temperature, time, number of steps – or all of the above – it’s entirely up to them. And thanks to the UN, each student will get to keep their Micro:bit as a reminder of what they created and learned.
Looking Ahead – Robotics for Every Learner
Plans for next year are already in motion. The team behind this initiative is preparing to expand their reach even further, with more hands-on workshops and teacher trainings planned for all school levels – from pre-primary to 12th grade. The goal is clear: make robotics and coding accessible to every learner, no matter their age or background.
Peace Through Education
In recognition of their bicommunal efforts, the team was honoured with the Teaching for Peace Award in September 2024, presented by Mr Colin Stewart, the Head of the UN in Cyprus. It’s a well-deserved tribute to the quiet but powerful work being done – work that proves that code can connect, teaching can unite, and peace can be built one classroom at a time.
