Press Release

MOUNTAIN GAMES CYPRUS TO BRING SPORT, CULTURE AND HEALTHY LIVING TO THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS

European-funded initiative launches a new celebration of inclusive sport, mountain culture and healthy lifestyles

Kalopanayiotis, Cyprus - The Institute of Research and Development for Mountain Regions of the Mediterranean Islands (MountMed Institute) is proud to announce Mountain Games: A Celebration of Sport, Culture and Inclusion, a new European initiative that will transform the Troodos Mountains into a vibrant arena for sport, wellbeing, culture and community participation during the European Week of Sport 2026. To introduce the event to the public, members of the media and other esteemed guests were invited to A. G Leventis Gallery for a press conference where the Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 were presented on the 16th of June. Andreas Phylactou, the Ambassador of the Mountain Games, preceded the conference, introducing the world to Mountain Games Cyprus 2026 and everything they represent. 

Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Sport programme (Project No. 101245542 – MOUNTAIN GAMES – ERASMUS-SPORT-2025-SNCESE), Mountain Games is a four-day festival designed to promote healthy lifestyles, social inclusion and active participation through a unique combination of outdoor sport, cultural activities and educational events.

Taking place in the Troodos Mountains, a UNESCO Global Geopark, Mountain Games will bring together citizens, athletes, families, young people, older adults, people with disabilities, health professionals, researchers and community organisations from Cyprus and across Europe.

The event is built around a simple idea: mountains can be powerful spaces for promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing and social connection. Rather than viewing mountain regions as remote or isolated places, Mountain Games highlights their potential as living environments that encourage healthy lifestyles, community engagement and cultural exchange.

The programme will feature inclusive sporting activities including hiking, mountain biking, orienteering and traditional stone throwing, alongside cultural competitions, cooking workshops inspired by the Mediterranean diet, traditional dance activities and educational workshops on physical activity, healthy nutrition, mental health and inclusion in sport.

An International Scientific Symposium will precede the festival, bringing together leading experts from across Europe to discuss healthy lifestyles, physical activity promotion, public health, mental wellbeing and evidence-based approaches to inclusion in sport.

Mountain Games is coordinated by MountMed Institute and implemented in collaboration with a European partnership spanning ten countries, including sport organisations, universities, mountain associations and civil society organisations. The initiative contributes to key European priorities including the European Week of Sport (#BeActive), the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, the EU Physical Activity Guidelines and the Council Recommendation on Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA).

In parallel with the festival, the project will launch a transnational Healthy Lifestyle Campaign encouraging participants across Europe to adopt simple, practical habits related to physical activity, healthy nutrition and wellbeing.

"By bringing together sport, health, culture, local gastronomy and community participation, we aim to demonstrate how mountain regions can promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, inclusion and sustainable development. Through this initiative, Troodos will serve not only as a venue, but as a living example of how sport can contribute to the vitality and visibility of mountain areas across Europe”  said Stavros Kazamias, Executive Director of MountMed Institute and Project Coordinator

The first edition of Mountain Games Cyprus is expected to attract participants from across Cyprus and Europe while generating long-term benefits for mountain communities, public health promotion and sustainable regional development.

Additional information regarding registrations, programme details and participation opportunities will be announced in the coming months through the project's official communication channels.

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Funding statement:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.