The award ceremony for the "Green Schools Project," organized in collaboration with Final International University, Turkish Cypriot Women Entrepreneurs Association, and the Ministry of National Education, took place on June 4th 2024, at Acapulco Hotel.

Prof. Dr. Şerife Gündüz, the Director of the Environmental Research Center at FIU and the Green Schools Project Coordinator, highlighted that their primary goals since the project's inception in 2022 have been to raise environmentally conscious and respectful generations, to reconnect with nature in a digitalizing world, and to make children feel that they are a part of nature. Prof. Gündüz also shared that the project has reached over 50,000 students across 51 schools to date. She explained that 19 schools awarded the Green Flag have partnered with 19 businesses voluntarily supporting the project, taking this cooperation to a new level. These collaborations with businesses were celebrated with the "Green Door Award" at the ceremony.

Providing information about the sapling donation campaign conducted in partnership with Turkcell North Cyprus, Prof. Gündüz stated that the 61,000 saplings collected would be planted in December 2024 in the Forest of Combat Against Climate Crisis in areas designated by the Forestry Department. Deniz Mungan Sonuç, Deputy General Manager of Turkcell North Cyprus, expressed pride in being part of the project, noting that alongside technology investments, they prioritize environmental issues in their social responsibility projects on the island. Asst. Prof. Dr. İçim Çağıner Kavuklu, President of the Turkish Cypriot Women Entrepreneurs Association, described the "Green Schools Project," which has become a symbol and a hope for the country, as a source of pride for the association, emphasizing its significance as it brings together the government, university, civil society, and the private sector.

Cengiz Topel Uzun, Director of the General Secondary Education Department at the Ministry of National Education, stated that the "Green Schools Project" represents the dream of people who love their country. While congratulating Prof. Dr. Şerife Gündüz for realizing the project, he noted that valuable institutions and organizations in the country have learned to channel their contributions to the right place. Gülşen Hocanın, Director of the Vocational Technical Secondary Education Department, congratulated the teachers and students participating in the project, underlining that true education is not just academic but also about fostering respect for nature, taking care of the country, and raising environmentally conscious and well-equipped global citizens.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Yaratan, Final International University Rector, emphasized the importance of the "Green Schools Project", stating that the enthusiastic involvement of students in the project creates hope for the future. Following the speeches, plaques of appreciation were presented to municipalities, institutions, organizations, jury members of the Green Schools awards, and media supporters of the project.

In the evening, awards were given in four categories: "Defenders of Nature," "Green Door," "e-Sapling," and "Green Schools." The school that made the most donations in the Sapling Donation Project, brought to life in collaboration with Turkcell Northern Cyprus, was Şehit Hüseyin Ruso Middle School, which received the Sapling Donation Award.
In the "Defenders of Nature" category, aimed at enabling young people to convey their views and ideas on environmental issues to society through articles, photographs, or video recordings, the Turkish Maarif College won first place with the article titled "Choose Your Style for the World. Don't Be Single-Style."

In the "Defenders of Nature" awards, İskele Evkaf Turkish Maarif College and Anafartalar High School shared second place with their articles titled "Don’t Pollute the Sea, Don’t Destroy Life" and "Cloud Seeding," respectively. The third place was shared by 19 Mayıs Turkish Maarif College with the article "What is the Biggest Environmental Problem on Our Island Right Now?" and Esin Leman High School with the article "Citrus Greening Disease."

The businesses and schools that received the Green Door Award were: ACAPULCO RESORT HOTEL - Erenköy High School, AVUNDUK GRUP - Turkish Maarif College, FINAL SCHOOLS - Şehit Zeka Çorba Middle School, KAMTEK Limited - Alayköy Primary School, KANER GROUP OF COMPANIES - Lefke Gazi High School, MAGIC TOUCH - 19 Mayıs Turkish Maarif College, METGİN Limited - Democracy Middle School, MİR TİCARET Limited - Şehit Hüseyin Ruso Middle School, MOLTO SUPERMARKET - Atleks Sanverler Middle School, OERO TRADING LTD - ONKO, ÖNDER AVM - Karaoğlan Primary School, PRIVATE SECURITY SYSTEMS Limited - Bülent Ecevit High School, SİBA IMPORT EXPORT Limited - Çanakkale Middle School, STARCARD BKM Limited - Kurtuluş High School, ŞAH MARKETPLACE - Sedat Simavi Vocational High School, UNIPASS MARKETING Limited - Esin Leman High School, RAŞİT GROUP OF COMPANIES - Levent College.

Eight primary schools, five kindergartens, a Special Education Center, three middle schools, and 14 high schools were awarded the "Green Flag Award".

Source: BRT