The centre was inaugurated at the village of Odou, on Sunday 26 June, thanks to an initiative by Bank of Cyprus and the Rotary Clubs of Cyprus. It aims to revitalise the environment and restore economic activity to areas where honey is produced and which were devastated by fires.

The initiative is part of Bank of Cyprus’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme, and specifically the ‘Environment’ pillar. It aims to bring back life to the destroyed ecosystem, revitalising the honey-producing communities affected by the fires.

Theodosis Theodosiou, Director of the Consumer Banking Division at Bank of Cyprus, stressed the Bank’s substantial contribution dating to the very first hours after the devastating blaze. He noted that the operation of the ‘Melissa-Zoi’ centre will help young people residing in the area keep their jobs in the honey-making business.

“The goal,” he said, “is to give the necessary support to nature and to the communities that suffer environmentally, financially and professionally, so that they come back to life.”

In helping establish the centre, Bank of Cyprus partnered up with the Rotary of Clubs, in a bid to maximise support for areas affected by the fires in the mountainous regions of Larnaca district. Last year’s blaze burned about 75 per cent of beehives and resulted in the deaths of millions of bees.

At the same time, the centre will serve to support the local economy, helping recover not only the production of honey but other agricultural products as well. The centre’s operation will benefit nine communities and 38 small and medium-sized honey-making businesses.

Moreover, the centre will be linked with educational programmes and other activities, helping raise awareness about the important role that bees play in the environment.

The centre’s inauguration took place at the start of the Honey Festival in the village of Odou. Run by the communities, the facility will be staffed by trained personnel.

These actions are supported by the Beekeepers Association and the Troodos Network.