Background Noise pollution is an ever-increasing problem throughout Europe, and Cyprus is no exception. The island’s explosive population growth since 1974 has resulted in uncontrolled land-use development, which has resulted in numerous environmental problems, including environmental noise. The Cypriot government is currently in the early stages of formulating a national noise policy and has recognised the lack of systematic collection and evaluation of relevant data as well as gaps in intergovernmental infrastructure and know-how. Specifically, the government has identified four problem areas: a) a lack of systematic information concerning noise levels, b) a lack of information concerning the level and frequency of negative impacts of noise, c) a lack of infrastructure for the monitoring and assessment of noise, and d) a lack of relevant know-how and experience. Objectives The overall aim of the project was to prepare a draft noise policy for Cyprus, a policy that was subsequently to be put through the required consultative and legislative processes. The more specific objective of the project was to produce the necessary capabilities and infrastructure within the competent authorities for the design and implementation of a noise policy. Beyond this, the project planned to perform noise monitoring and assessment studies, develop noise monitoring and assessment capabilities, produce systematic information about current environmental noise, and produce noise maps (maps which incorporate environmental noise, demographic and land use information and utilise both noise software predictions and measurements databases). The project also intended to complete a series of surveys of the population that would produce systematic information about the existing impacts of noise and determine the dose–response relationship regarding the impact of noise. Cynoise was also to produce an integrated GIS-based decision-making and monitoring tool that would integrate the aforementioned results from noise measurements, noise assessments via software, and the social surveys, as well as demographic and land use data. Finally, the project planned to disseminate this information and raise awareness of the problem amongst both the public and national and local authorities. Results The main objective of the project – to produce the necessary capabilities and infrastructure within the competent authorities for the design and implementation of a noise policy – was achieved. The project provided the competent authorities with the tools necessary for the design and implementation of a Noise Policy according to EU Directive 2002/49. Nonetheless, one possible defect in the project’s plan may have been the significant involvement of foreign partners at the expense of building the ministry's own capacity in this area. However, the ministry does now indeed have access to adequately trained local expertise and the capacity to manage the relevant contracts and carry out works in order to comply with the EC Noise Directive. For the selection of the project study areas, criteria included land use, demographic characteristics and size in order to ensure the representativeness of the results. Thirty study areas were selected, which in turn consisted of approximately 160 measurement locations. These included agglomerations, major highways, industrial complexes and the Larnaka airport. Noise monitoring was undertaken by equipment conforming to ISO 1996 Standards. Noise assessment was made with state-of-the-art software for the calculation of road, air traffic and industrial noise. The assessment of the negative impacts resulting from noise pollution (dose-response surveys) was based on a combination of interviews, demographic data and measured / simulated noise levels. Noise maps were constructed with the use of the IMMI noise prediction software for four study locations. The product of the above works was the acquisition of information about noise levels in selected areas and on the social impacts from noise, thus filling in the authorities’ information gap, and building of capacity in this area and the development of the relevant infrastructure (GIS package, software, equipment), know-how and expertise for the assessment of noise and the construction of noise maps.