On October 18, 2024, as part of the Erasmus Days 2024, a special event titled “Show your TALENT” was held at Akaki Gymnasium in Nicosia, Cyprus. Organised by CSI – Center for Social Innovation in collaboration with the school, the event brought together 131 participants, including teachers, coaches, parents and 48 students aged 13–15.
Although originally planned for the end of the school year, the event was strategically rescheduled to coincide with Erasmus Days, adding visibility and value to the project and its goals.
Event Objectives:
– Promote the importance of supporting students in both academic and non-academic development
– Highlight the role of teachers, parents, and coaches in guiding talented youth
– Encourage inclusive school environments that celebrate diversity and individuality
– Present the TALENT project, its goals, and ongoing activities
Event Highlights:
The event opened with welcoming speeches by school principal Giannos Socratous and the president of the parents’ association, Michalis Vasileiou, both of whom emphasised the importance of collaboration between school and family to support student development.
A presentation followed by Iosifina Pavlou, Erasmus+ project coordinator at the school, highlighted various EU-funded initiatives the school is involved in. This led into the main presentation of the TALENT project by CSI’s project manager Andri Psilogeni, who shared the project’s vision: supporting dual careers in youth sports, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting long-term well-being through structured support systems.
The Talent Show:
Although the initial concept included sports-based performances, the final programme featured 19 student participants showcasing their talents in:
– Poetry
– Painting
– Singing
– Instrument playing (violin, guitar, bouzouki, piano)
A three-member jury selected winners from each category and one overall winner. All participants received certificates and cinema vouchers, while the overall winner received a gift voucher from an electronics store.
Feedback & Outlook:
The feedback from all participants — particularly parents and teachers — was overwhelmingly positive. The event fostered a strong sense of community and reinforced the idea that extracurricular activities play a vital role in students’ emotional and social development.
CSI and Akaki Gymnasium expressed their mutual interest in continuing collaboration, exploring future joint events within the framework of the TALENT project.
