Cyprus

She had studied at the University of Florence receiving a master’s degree in architecture. After that, she studied urban conservation at the International Centre ICCROM in Rome and she continued her studies at the School of Architecture of the University of Rome, from where she received a specialisation diploma in the restoration of monuments and sites

She continued her studies at the University of UWE Bristol UK from where she received a master’s degree in Town Planning. For 38 years she has worked for the Μunicipality of Nicosia and she has been the leader of the Nicosia Μaster Plan. The NMP bi-communal team, supported by international institutions, was working on the definition of a common planning strategy for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the divided city of Nicosia. Four of these projects carried out by our NMP team were awarded by Europa Nostra and for their overall effort for preservation they received The Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Later, having the position of the director of the Technical Services of Nicosia Municipality, she acquired remarkable experience in urban rehabilitation and the management of large-scale conservation projects. During the last six years, she has coordinated the Zaha Hadid project for Eleftheria Square, a major urban design project in the moat of the Venetian walls. Agni is working on a voluntary basis for the Bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and for the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia.

Deniz Özdiren was born in 1998 and is an emerging heritage professional from Cyprus, currently completing her Master’s in World Heritage Studies in Germany. With a background in architecture, she has expertise in conservation, adaptive reuse, community engagement and heritage storytelling.

She has co-organised heritage projects across Cyprus, Italy, Romania and Germany, serves as a coordination member of ESACH, and volunteered for five years with the bi-communal Technical Committee of Cultural Heritage in Cyprus as a Heritage Youth Ambassador. Deniz brings a thoughtful perspective to the Selection Committee, supporting the recognition of exemplary European heritage initiatives.

He is a member of the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) and a Young Member of Europa Nostra.