On 6 July, the #EyesOnEarth Regional Competition came to a successful conclusion with its closing event and award ceremony. Organised by DG NEAR, EU Neighbours South, SwitchMed/MedWaves programme, ENI CBCMED, and the European Forest Institute Mediterranean Facility (EFIMED), the contest highlighted the importance of environmental preservation and promoted sustainable business models in eight countries in Southern Mediterranean (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia).
Held in Cairo, Egypt, the #EyesOnEarth closing event gathered participants from across the Mediterranean to celebrate innovative ideas and solutions tackling concrete problems faced by the region, with a special focus on forests.
The #EyesOnEarth closing ceremony opened with a TEDxTalk, “Green Entrepreneurship 2024,” featuring an inspiring lineup of green entrepreneurs from the EU Southern Neighbourhood who shared their impactful stories and initiatives.
Watch this video recapitulating the TEDxTalk!
The event culminated with the award ceremony for the winners of the #EyesOnEarth Regional Competition. Prizes were awarded in two different categories (Civil Society Initiatives and Eco-Innovators) to the two best projects among the eight finalists selected in March by a jury of international experts, including EFIMED’s head Michele Bozzano. A “Coup de Coeur” prize was also given to the Public Choice Award winner.
Civil Society Initiatives Category
First prize: Akkar Trail from Lebanon – Osman Taleb
Second prize : Association Affak from Algeria – Mehdi Bensira
Eco-Innovators Category
First prize: theOtherDada from Lebanon – Adib Dada
Second prize: Pistachio Grafts from Algeria – Dr. Kamel Firah
Coup de Coeur
Furange from Palestine – Saed Hanani
Have a look at this video to get an insight into the event!
