The Cyprus Institute Wins 1st Prize at the Good Practice Awards 2026 Featured
Irena Vourka, the CyI Health & Safety Officer, receiving 1st Prize in the Good Practice Awards 2026
The Cyprus Institute (CyI) has been awarded 1st Prize in the Good Practice Awards 2026, organised by the Department of Labour Inspection of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, for its initiative “Pause. Reset. Reconnect. – Workplace Wellbeing Hub and Recharge Space.”
The award recognises CyI’s innovative approach to promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, complementing the Institute’s broader efforts to provide a healthy, safe and supportive working environment.
Building on CyI’s previous Virtual Reality (VR) occupational safety and health training initiative, “Pause. Reset. Reconnect.” introduces a dedicated Recharge Space (Silence Booth) incorporating immersive VR experiences designed to support relaxation, reduce stress and promote mental wellbeing. The initiative is complemented by resources aimed at raising awareness of workplace stress and burnout.
The distinction reflects the Institute’s continued commitment to an approach to occupational health and safety that recognises mental wellbeing alongside physical safety, while exploring innovative and practical ways of supporting its community.
The award ceremony took place on 19 October 2026, during the opening event of Safety and Health at Work Week 2026. The recognition coincides with the European Week for Safety and Health at Work (19–23 October 2026) and the launch of the EU-OSHA Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2026–2028, “Together for Mental Health at Work,” which places particular emphasis on addressing psychosocial risks and promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.