Who We Are
The Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum
building environmental bridges within Cyprus and Abroad
In Cyprus the environmental community is large but fragmented, and needs support, in particular help in raising its voice on the global stage. Launched in January 2007, the Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum (CESF) is a bi-communal, multidisciplinary network of environmental stakeholders willing to agree on a list of common environmental priorities which they advocate together locally and at international environmental events. In Cyprus, environmental civil society organisations can acquire a stronger voice through participation in this common, island-wide coalition. Key partners in this project are the Cyprus Technical Chamber (ETEK) and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Cypriot Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB)
Working groups under the umbrella of the CESF
Within the structure of the CESF, there are semi-autonomous working groups, or “sub-committees”, chaired by a member of the CESF, but extending beyond the CESF membership to include organisations and people who are experts or stakeholders in specific thematic areas. For each of these projects, the CESF acts as a peer review committee, reviewing progress on a regular basis and providing support as required. For the moment, two working groups are active:
- Network for a Sustainable Future: this project, led by the NGO AKTI, involves a range of CSO partners in Cyprus and abroad, with the following objectives:
· Networking: to develop such dynamics in order to create a network of organisations in Cyprus (NGOs and CSOs) and in the region of Mediterranean, on issues related to the environment, sustainable development and the encouragement of public participation
· Capacity-building: Development of the skills and human resources needed to successfully run an NGO/ CSO
These purposes are promoted and effectuated through implemented practice and activities, around a specific theme: Sustainable Coastal Development. The Network has been in contact with significant international organisations in this community of practice, including the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan, the EU’s ENCORA programme and network, the EUCC etc. The Network operates an e-Help desk on issues related to sustainable development and Integrated Coastal Zone Management: akti@akti.org.cy.
- Biodiversity and Conservation working group: This group is composed of two projects sponsored by UNDP-ACT:
- “Setting the foundations for a Pancyprian Network of Nature Conservation Organisations”: this project, led by Intercollege, includes a wide range of Cypriot NGOs and will create a series of databases which will be hosted on the CESF website, including:
- A “who is who” database of environmental stakeholders on the island
- Funding opportunities for environmental NGOs in Cyprus
- Environmental education opportunities
- Biodiversity in the Buffer Zone: This project is led by a bi-communal team of experts in different aspects of biodiversity (mammals, reptiles etc.) who are systematically scanning the buffer zone for rare and endangered species, in order to highlight the conservation value of that area of Cyprus. The team leader is also a member of the CESF steering committee, and this project forms the research branch of the CESF.
- “Setting the foundations for a Pancyprian Network of Nature Conservation Organisations”: this project, led by Intercollege, includes a wide range of Cypriot NGOs and will create a series of databases which will be hosted on the CESF website, including:
Many more thematic projects are expected to be added to the CESF structure as it evolves.
Membership
The stakeholder group is open to a wide range of members, including:
- Environmental NGOs or their individual members
- Environmental educators
- Journalists who tend to cover environmental issues
- Environmental engineers
- Leading environmental academics
- Key business leaders interested in the Global Compact
This information has been prepared within the framework of the project “Network for a sustainable future” which forms a thematic committee of the Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum, and is supported by UNDP’s initiative, Action for Cooperation and Trust. To learn more about “Network for a sustainable future” log on to www.akti.org.cy, or email at akti@akti.org.cy
