Public Outreach and Advocacy

Zero Waste Beach in Cyprus. Zero Waste Future in Malta. Net Zero in Cyprus and Malta

Zero Waste Beach and Future projects

Marine litter is an environmental, economic as well as human health problem with no simple solution. It poses a global, complex and multi-dimensional challenge with significant implications for the marine and coastal environment and human activities all over the world. Recovery and recycling of the most common marine litter items, are important steps in halting the inflow of items into the marine environment and are also critical first steps in promoting the Circular Economy. Recovery and recycling are particularly critical in island countries, such as Cyprus and Malta.

To address the problems outlined above, the initiative proposed here aims to engage citizens, students, local authorities and businesses to take ownership of the environment they spend most time in so as to increase recycling and decrease land and marine litter, using the “producer responsibility” mentality, but through soft, awareness-raising and participatory measures.

Activities for Zero Waste Beach Cyprus:

Click here to learn about some exciting news for Cyprus!

🎥 General Actions_Total Results (video_en)

🎥 General Actions_Total Results (video_gr)

📈Infographic_Total Results (2018-2020) (pdf_gr)

1️⃣. Strengthened and expanded the «Responsible Coastal Businesses Network»: to 310 members, through the implementation of an extensive awareness-raising campaign, targeting all coastal businesses on the island. In these campaigns, AKTI’s staff have been liaised with approximately 800 business owners/managers/employees, informing them about marine litter (sources and impacts) as well as about the upcoming European legislation on single-use plastics and how it affects them and assisting them in implementing practices that will minimize their plastic production and thus minimize the potential for marine plastic pollution from their operations and their customers’ activities. The involvement of local authority representatives has added particular clout to this activity.

❓ HOW and WHY to join the Responsible Coastal Businesses Network_EN_(pdf)

❓ HOW and WHY to join the Responsible Coastal Businesses Network_GR_(pdf)

The RCB network members can be viewed in the below map.

To provide inspiration, a Decalogue and a Guide were developed during the last year implementation of the project and distributed to the Coastal Businesses. Decalogue contained 10 basic possible good practices and the Guide contained examples of these good practices in order to inspire the applicants and encourage them to act against plastic pollution and generally for a more green performance of their businesses.

An electronic version of these, are available here:

✅ Decalogue_gr

✅ Decalogue_en

✅ Examples of Good Practices_gr

2️⃣. Tracked and recorded recycling waste from the Responsible Coastal Businesses: The members of the Responsible Coastal Businesses Network ought, as a mandatory term of their network membership, to record the amount of recyclable waste (PMD, glass, general) that they dispose. 980 tons of recycling waste collected by the responsible coastal businesses throughout the duration of the project. This has been monitored with regular visits by AKTI’s group of experts, who also provided their suggestions on how the business can become more effective in recycling. In this way, they will be able to set goals and monitor their reduction in the long run, as a result of the implementation of plastic reducing practices.

3️⃣. Beach cleanups in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup: AKTI implemented annual beach cleanups on selected beaches with the collaboration of the Responsible Coastal Businesses, local authorities, schools, and volunteers.

AKTI is the national coordinator of the International Coastal Cleanup of the Ocean Conservancy in Cyprus. Therefore, all the cleanups implemented using the International Coastal Cleanup Protocol. The data included in the Regional Marine Litter Database and has also be submitted to the ICC.

📸🌊Some photos from the Beach and Seabed Cleanups, are available here: 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5

🎥🌊Some Videos from the Beach and Seabed Cleanups:

video 1___video 2___video 3___video 4___video 5
video 6___video 7___video 8___video 9___video 10

4️⃣. Tracked and recorded recycling waste from the Responsible Coastal Businesses, on-the-go recycle bins and events : 980 tons of recycling waste collected in Cyprus by coastal businesses-members of the Network throughout the duration of the project, of which, the percentage per source of total recyclable waste, were 46% Paper, 30% PMD and 24% Glass. In these 980 tons of recycling waste collected from the coastal businesses, the 130 tons correspond to PET.

This has been monitored with regular visits by AKTI’s group of experts, who also
provided their suggestions on how the business can become more effective in
recycling. In this way, they will be able to set goals and monitor their reduction in the
long run, as a result of the implementation of plastic reducing practices.

17 tons of recyclable waste was collected from these bins during the implementation
period of the project. The aim was to encourage local authorities and communities to
improve collection infrastructure and implement reduction actions for plastics used.
Source identification activity was performed for this action. AKTI’s staff separated
the collected waste per source, to create an innovative database with data that can be
used for directing budget to the management of the most frequent litter.

📸♻️More information and photos about “On-the-go recycling” research action, can be found here.

5️⃣. Α Competition for the implementation of sustainable practices to reduce marine litter, and especially plastics, was launched and implemented. The Competition targeted members of the Responsible Coastal Businesses Network, in an attempt to promote sustainable practices incorporated by coastal businesses in their operation, and to minimize plastic waste entering the coastal and marine environment, thus mitigating/reducing the pollution they cause. Τhe terms for the participation in the Competition and the application form distributed to the Coastal Businesses along with a Decalogue and a good practices Guide, in order to inspire the applicants and encourage them to act against plastic pollution and generally for a more green performance of their businesses. 390 entries/good practices were received. The entries were evaluated by a five-member independent jury: the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of AKTI, Dr. Xenia I. Loizidou, the Media Relations Director at Digital Tree, Mrs Xenia Xenophontos, the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus, Mrs Melina Limnati and the two members of AKTI, Mrs Anna Tselepou and Ms Maria-Christina Constantinou. The winners were selected by the jury followings a selection process based on 4 criteria: environmental responsibility, social responsibility, innovation and sustainability and the awards are given in two categories, depending on the type – size of the business.

✅ Terms and Conditions_GR

✅ Application Form_GR

6️⃣. A highly publicised Award Ceremony, “Zero Waste Beach Awards 2023”, was implemented at the end of the project. The winners had the title of «Zero Waste Beach Champions 2023». The ceremony took place in June 22 at Old Powerhouse in Nicosia. The ceremony attended by 72 people, including the General Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr Andreas Georgiou, , the General Director of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism Mr. Antonis Koutsoullis, the Director of Department of the Environment Mrs Elena Stylianopoulou, the president of the Parliamentary Environment Committee MP Mr. Charalambos Theopemptou, the Mayor of Nicosia Mr Constantinos Yiorkatzis, the president of the ‘Cyprus Hotels Association’ Mr E. Loizides, several NGOs, HoReCa representatives, media (TV, radios and newspapers/e-media), Trade Unions, Thirdparty experts, Tour Agents, Environmental Parliamentary Committee and other stakeholders. The Ceremony was extensively covered by local and national media (TVs, radios and newspapers).

The awards are given in two categories, depending on the type of the business (large or small businesses) .The six championships were distinguished in the categories of environmental responsibility, sustainability, innovation and social responsibility.

In the category of large businesses:

🏆 Aliathon Resort received the Sustainability Award

🏆 St. Raphael Resort & Marina received the Innovation Award,

🏆 Capo Bay Hotel received the Social Responsibility Award and,

🏆 Atlantica Aeneas Resort received the Environmental Responsibility Award.

In the category of small businesses:

🏆 Grape by the Sea received the Sustainability Award,

🏆 Klimataria-Beach Bar Resto received the Sustainability Award.

🏆 Avli tis Nefelis received the Innovation Award

🏆Charalambos Holiday Cottage received the Social Responsibility Award.

🏆 Aplostra Beach Bar received the Environmental Responsibility Award.

Special thanks were given to one person to whom the success of Zero Waste beach is owed.

🏅 Anna Tselepou of AKTI

📸Some photos from the Zero Waste Beach Awards, are available for 2019 here. And 2021-2022 here.

🎥Some Videos from the “Zero Waste Beach Awards 2019”:

Video 1___Video 2___Video 3___Video 4

7️⃣. Extensive communication and dissemination activities took place over the duration of the project, and especially at times with important activities, e.g. the project launch, the cleanup events, the competition and the awards ceremony. Communication and dissemination activities were inclusive all means and media (print, online, social etc), and 6,642,737 people reached via AKTI’s social media.

Activities for Zero Waste Future Malta:

Click here to learn about some exciting news for Malta!

1️⃣. Waste characterization: this activity was carried out in the Three Cities of Malta (Cottonera) to identify the main types of waste disposed of and their relative percentages, depending on the type of establishment. This activity provides a solid base of waste data and indicate where efforts must be focused for more effective recycling. The waste characterisation study was carried out by AKTI’s experts, with the strong support of the councils of the Three Cities of Malta/Cottonera. Waste was sampled from at least 66 sampling points,for 3 sampling sessions.The involvement of 3 local authority representatives has added particular value to this activity. More specifically Birgu Municipality, Cospicua and Senglea (The Three Cities of Malta) had Council meetings on the issue and decided to support the implementation of the
Network in all HoReCa establishments within their territory.

🎥Some Videos from “Waste Characterization” action:

Video 1___Video 2___Video 3

📸Some photos from the “Waste Characterization”, are available here.

2️⃣. Build on the “Responsible Coastal Businesses Network in Malta: through extensive awareness-raising campaigns, where representatives of the Coca-Cola Company of Malta, informing business owners/managers about marine litter (sources and impacts) as well as about the upcoming European legislation on single-use plastics and how it affects them, and assisting them in implementing practices that will minimize their plastic production and thus minimize the potential for marine plastic pollution from their operations and their customers’ activities.The Responsible Coastal Businesses Network Ambassadors have liaised with 50 business owners/managers/employees. The below shows the network members inducted until now.

To provide inspiration, a Decalogue and a Guide were developed during the last year implementation of the project and distributed to the Coastal Businesses. Decalogue contained 10 basic possible good practices and the Guide contained examples of these good practices in order to inspire the applicants and encourage them to act against plastic pollution and generally for a more green performance of their businesses.

An electronic version of these, are available here:

✅ Decalogue_ma

✅ Examples of Good Practices_en

3️⃣Tracked and recorded recycling waste from the Responsible Coastal Businesses, on the-go recycling bins, and events: 46.1 tonnes of recycling waste collected from the Responsible Coastal Business Network. Of the 46.1 tonnes of recycling waste collected, 31.4 tonnes were PET, making PET waste 68% of the total recyclable waste collected.

In order to succeed the collection of any possible PMD which is not disposed in the DRS machines, we cooperated with event organizers such as Festivals Malta and Sports Malta in order to install PMD bins during the events. The Zero Waste Future bins were installed in the following events, collecting 17 tonnes of recyclable waste of which 14.5 tonnes were PET:
• Notte Bianca
• Sports Malta Family Day Open Event
• Festivals Malta NYE Event

4️⃣. Beach cleanups in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup: annual beach cleanups on selected beaches with the collaboration of NGOs, local authorities, schools, and volunteers. All the cleanups were implemented using the International Coastal Cleanup Protocol in order to be able to identify the sources of the collected litter and to begin compiling data on beach marine litter in Malta. The data were included in the Regional Marine Litter Database and will also submitted to the ICC.

🎥🌊Some Videos from “Beach/Seabed Cleanups and Turtle Release”:

Video 1___Video 2

📸🌊Some photos from the Beach and Seabed Cleanups, are available here.

5️⃣. Zero Waste Champions Competition: 24 entries to the Competition.The competition aims at rewarding and recognising those members of the Network who have taken substantial and / or innovative measures to minimise their contribution to the marine litter problem and minimise the use of plastics. Specific criteria and entries were evaluated by an independent jury of experts to announce the ZERO WASTE FUTURE CHAMPIONS! The final event, which is also the Award Ceremony, was completed on the 2nd of June 2023. The event was hosted at Malta Aquarium, one of the Network’s members, and saw the participation of over 200 participants, including school children, representatives of the Ministry of Education, Local Authorities, Members of the Network etc. The welcome speech was presented by the Ministeer of Environment Ms Miriam Dalli. The implementation of the event this year, alongside schools that implement the Eco-Schools’ Litterless Campaign, and hosted by the
Malta Aquarium, Member of our RCB Network. The awards were presented to the following HoReCa who cooperated with the schools to promote the Zero Waste concept through implementation of solutions:
• Talbot & Bons Restaurant
• Talbot & Bons Boutique Hotel
• Costa Coffee
• Manouche
• St. Thomas Moore Tuckshop
• St. Micheals Tuckshop

6️⃣. Extensive communication and dissemination activities took place over the duration of the project, and especially at times with important activities, e.g. , the cleanup events, waste characterization activities etc. 4,600,000 people reached through Communication and dissemination activities were inclusive all means and media (print, online, social etc).

LIDL: PROJECT ZERO & PLASTIC FREE – Στο δρόμο για ένα καλύτερο αύριο

#Potavristou, όπου και να βρίσκεσαι, να καθαρίσουμε τις θάλασσες και τις ακτές μας!

#potavristou τζαι φέτος!

Η δράση μετά την τεράστια επιτυχία που είχε και τις 3 χρονιές υλοποίησής της, θα επαναληφθεί και φέτος. Ο κάθε πολίτης, η κάθε παρέα μπορεί να ποταβριστεί εκεί που είναι, να μαζέψει τα σκουπίδια που βλέπει γύρω και να ανεβάσει τα δεδομένα του στην δωρεάν εφαρμογή Clean Swell (μπορείτε να την κατεβάσετε από το Play Store/App store), είτε να στείλει μήνυμα στις σελίδες της ΑΚΤΗΣ στα κοινωνικά δίκτυα. Επίσης μπορεί να ανεβάσει φωτογραφίες από τον καθαρισμό στα δικά του κοινωνικά δίκτυα με το #potavristou. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες θα βρείτε στις Οδηγίες #potavrismatos.

Όλο τον Σεπτέμβρη ποταβριζόμαστε!

Ιστορικό της δράσης

Το #potavristou πραγματοποιήθηκε για πρώτη φορά τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2019. Αποτελεί μια πρωτότυπη εκστρατεία που ξεκίνησε από μια αυθόρμητη πρωτοβουλία πολιτών και διοργανώθηκε σε συνεργασία με το Κέντρο Μελετών και Έρευνας ΑΚΤΗ. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι το #potavristou αποτέλεσε μια «προφητική» δράση. Σε ανύποπτο χρόνο η ομάδα του #potavristou σκέφτηκε και υλοποίησε μια ενέργεια που πετυχαίνει τον καθαρισμό των ακτών με τη συμμετοχή πολλών πολιτών/εθελοντών αποφεύγοντας όμως ταυτόχρονα τον συγχρωτισμό, που είναι το μεγάλο ζητούμενο στην εποχή του Covid19!

Το 2020, ο Διεθνής Οργανισμός Ocean Conservancy διοργάνωσε Παγκόσμιο Διαγωνισμό για την ανάδειξη των δέκα πιο καινοτόμων δράσεων καθαρισμού ακτών για το 2019. Στο διαγωνισμό υποβλήθηκαν εκατοντάδες προτάσεις από 130 και πλέον χώρες. Το Κέντρο Μελετών και Έρευνας ΑΚΤΗ συμμετείχε στο Διαγωνισμό με μια υποψηφιότητα που περιλάμβανε τρεις δράσεις: το #potavristou, τη διαδικασία συμμετοχικής λήψης αποφάσεων για τη μείωση των σκουπιδιών της θάλασσας DeCyDe-4 και με τους εξειδικευμένους καθαρισμούς ακτής brand surveys. Η υποψηφιότητα της ΑΚΤΗΣ με τις τρεις αυτές δράσεις, επιλέχθηκε ανάμεσα στις 10 πιο καινοτόμες παγκόσμια!

Αποτελέσματα #potavristou μέχρι σήμερα

Συγκεκριμένα, στις 21 Σεπτεμβρίου του 2019, Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Εθελοντικού Καθαρισμού των Ακτών, οι διοργανωτές κάλεσαν το κοινό, όπου και αν βρισκόταν, να βοηθήσει να καθαριστούν οι θάλασσες και οι ακτές μας. Περισσότερα από 500 άτομα, τη συγκεκριμένη μέρα, ποταβρίστικαν και μάζεψαν τα σκουπίδια που βρήκαν γύρω τους, όπως πλαστικά και γυάλινα ποτήρια, μπουκάλια, σακούλες, συσκευασίες τροφίμων, αναψυκτικών, δίχτυα κ.λ.π. Συνολικά μαζεύτηκαν 5,5 τόνοι σκουπιδιών, που περίμεναν τις πρώτες νεροποντές για να ξεκινήσουν τον φαύλο κύκλο τους, να φτάσουν στη θάλασσα και να επιστρέψουν στη ζωή μας «εκδικητικά», ως μικροπλαστικά.

Η δράση μετά την μεγάλη ανταπόκριση που είχε το 2019, είχε επαναληφθεί καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του Σεπτεμβρίου του 2020. Τα αποτελέσματα της εκστρατείας #potavristou_2020 ήταν εντυπωσιακά: 2016 εθελοντές συμμετείχαν και έστειλαν τα δεδομένα τους, από 187 τοποθεσίες στην Κύπρο και 20 τοποθεσίες στο εξωτερικό! Συλλέχθηκαν 12 τόνοι απορριμμάτων, εκ των οποίων το 70% ήταν πλαστικά! Επίσης έγιναν 12 εκατομμύρια προβολές σχετικά με τη δράση, μέσα από τα κοινωνικά δίκτυα της ΑΚΤΗς και τα μέσα μαζικής ενημέρωσης!

Τα αποτελέσματα του Σεπτέμβριου 2021 ήταν πολύ εντυπωσιακά. 2590 εθελοντές από 114 τοποθεσίες στην Κύπρο και 63 τοποθεσίες στο εξωτερικό μάζεψαν σκουπίδια και μας έστειλαν δεδομένα! Συλλέχθηκαν 13.5 τόνοι απορριμμάτων, εκ των οποίων το 87% ήταν πλαστικά! Επίσης έγιναν 12 εκατομμύρια προβολές σχετικά με τη δράση στα κοινωνικά δίκτυα της ΑΚΤΗΣ, εθελοντών και οργανώσεων της Κύπρου και του εξωτερικού καθώς και στα μέσα μαζικής ενημέρωσης!

Τα αποτελέσματα του Σεπτέμβριου 2022 ήταν ακομη πιο εντυπωσιακά: 2620 εθελοντές από 243 σημεία στην Κύπρο και 72 στο εξωτερικό μάζεψαν σκουπίδια και μας έστειλαν πολύτιμα δεδομένα πεδίου! Συλλέχθηκαν 16 τόνοι απορριμμάτων, εκ των οποίων το 86% πλαστικά! Επίσης έγιναν 12.3 εκατομμύρια προβολές σχετικά με τη δράση στα κοινωνικά δίκτυα της ΑΚΤΗΣ, εθελοντών και οργανώσεων της Κύπρου και του εξωτερικού καθώς και στα μέσα μαζικής ενημέρωσης!

Οδηγίες #potavrismatos

Μπορείς να συμμετέχεις ατομικά, με την παρέα σου ή με κάποιο οργανωμένο σύνολο.
Όπου και να βρίσκεσαι είτε αραχτά στην παραλία, είτε σε σκάφος, άπλωσε το χέρι σου και … #potavristou! Μάζεψε ό,τι σκουπίδι βλέπεις γύρω σου. Αν είσαι σε σκάφος, μάζεψε ό,τι σκουπίδι επιπλέει. Αν θέλεις, βέβαια, μπορείς να επεκταθείς και να κάνεις ένα πιο εκτενή καθαρισμό ακτής!
Χώρισε σε ομάδες και μέτρησε πόσα σκουπίδια μάζεψες: π.χ. τόσα πλαστικά ποτηράκια, τόσες μπουκάλες, τόσες γόπες τσιγάρων, τόσες σακούλες
Βγάλε τα φωτογραφία.
Ανέβασε τη φωτογραφία στο Twitter /Instagram, με #potavristou, #teamocean και #akti, μαζί με τις πληροφορίες για τα σκουπίδια που μάζεψες, που είσαι (τοποθεσία) και πόσα άτομα συμμετείχατε στο συγκεκριμένο καθαρισμό.
Μπορείς να κατεβάσεις και να χρησιμοποιήσεις την δωρεάν εφαρμογή “Clean Swell” που ανέπτυξε το Ocean Conservancy για αυτό τον λόγο (μπορείτε να την κατεβάσετε από το Play Store/App store).
Σε περίπτωση που ο λογαριασμός σου στο Instagram είναι ιδιωτικός (private), οπότε δεν θα μπορούμε και να εντοπίσουμε τα # hashtag σου, τότε ανέβασέ τα στο facebook, στην προσωπική σου σελίδα με tag ΑΚΤΗ / AKTI Project and Research Centre ή στη σελίδα της ΑΚΤΗΣ κατευθείαν ή στείλε μας μήνυμα με τον Messenger! Η ενέργεια αυτή είναι σημαντική για το Κέντρο Μελετών και Έρευνας ΑΚΤΗ, αφού έτσι θα γίνει εφικτό να καταγραφούν δεδομένα πεδίου και με αυτό τον τρόπο θα υπάρχουν συγκριτικά στοιχεία με αντίστοιχες προσπάθειες που έγιναν στο παρελθόν και θα ακολουθήσουν στο μέλλον. Αυτό είναι πολύ σημαντικό για την έρευνα!
Τι θα κάνεις τα σκουπίδια που μαζέψες?

Αν βρίσκεσαι σε ερημική παραλία, πάρε τα μαζί σου!
Αν βρίσκεσαι σε παραλία λουομένων, βάλε τα στους κάδους ανακύκλωσης (κάδοι για PMD υπάρχουν αρκετοί).
Αν βρίσκεσαι σε σκάφος, βγάλε τα στο πλησιέστερο λιμανάκι, στους αντίστοιχους κάδους.

Από πέρσι όπου η πανδημία του ιού έχει προκαλέσει και μέγα τσουνάμι πλαστικής πανδημίας η ανάγκη για μεγαλύτερη συμμετοχή γίνεται ακόμη πιο σημαντική.

Γι’ αυτό … #potavristou, όπου και να βρίσκεσαι, να καθαρίσουμε τις θάλασσες και τις ακτές μας!

Το ποτάβρισμα οφελεί γενικά την υγεία …#potavristou …μπορείς!

AdvocaCY: Participate, learn, challenge, decide

AKTI’s project titled ”AdvocaCY: Participate, learn, challenge, decide: stronger Cypriot Civil Society for sustainability, advocacy and change!” has been selected amongst 54 applications and awarded funding from the Active Citizens Fund Programme in Cyprus .

Having the UN Sustainable Development Goals at its core, this project aims to engage Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civil society organizations and informal groups, with a focus on the younger generation and in ensuring gender balance, in understanding their human right to a sustainable and healthy environment.

With “Knowledge leads to awareness; Awareness leads to change” as its motto, the aim of this proposal is to create synergies and join forces among CSOs and informal groups and to build networks of active citizens across the divide. The project has a solution-oriented approach which leads to the achievement of two targets: (1) build skills and capacity, raise awareness and promote advocacy among citizens for their right to a sustainable environment as set by SDGs (2) to boost bi-communal cooperation on promoting sustainability, an issue that affects both communities and is a win-win field of cooperation. In so doing, transform this collaboration into a peace building tool.

The overall result of the project will be its demonstrable (through KPIs) contribution to a stronger and more sustainable civil society on the island, greater bicommunal cooperation and intercultural dialogue, and more active citizens.

The AdvocaCY project benefits from a grant under the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021.

The full press release and announcement can be found here.

AdvocaCY – Awareness-raising campaigns

Within the framework of the AdvocaCY project, AKTI will implement three awareness-raising campaigns focusing on interrelated and overlapping themes:

civil rights, specifically as they relate to the environment; (throughout February 2023)
the role of CSOs in society; (throughout June 2023)
public consultations, their use and why it is important to contribute. (throughout September 2023)

This activity aims to develop and apply the tools that will help raise awareness about human rights, specifically the right to a healthy and sustainable environment, and about the role of CSOs to advocate for these rights.

Check out our Awareness-raising campaigns below:

3rd Awareness-raising campaign: Public consultations and why it’s important to contribute

In 2015, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) initiated an implementation guide to assist policy and decision makers to apply Rio Principle 10.

But, what is the Rio Declaration and why is its accelerated and effective implementation at all levels so important? Learn more here.

‘Putting Rio Principle 10 into Action’ Implementation Guide.

SDG16+ Civil Society Toolkit is a guide of practical steps and resources to advance peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

The toolkit is freely available in several languages here.

UNESCO IESALC’s project ‘Futures of Higher Education’ records the views of people of all ages in 100 countries on the future of higher education. Check out the public consultation’s results in this interactive website.

EU Youth Dialogue allows youth in Cyprus to speak their mind and express their concerns on the issues that directly influence them. Check out this video to learn more (video is in Greek).

‘Green, Sustainable Europe and the creation of an Inclusive Society’ Consultation by Cyprus Youth Council, within the framework of the 9th cycle of EU Youth Dialogue, 26th August 2022, Famagusta.

The Cyprus Youth Council is giving voice to young people across the island.

Participate and let your voice be heard. Visit Structured Dialogue to learn more.

Fit for Future (F4F) is a digital platform developed by the European Commission where citizens and stakeholders can share their opinions to ensure EU laws help, not hinder, people and business.

Share your suggestions to make EU laws more efficient and fit for the future, here.

How can we improve citizens’ participation in public consultation processes?

Here’s 4 tips based on the analysis of key-challenges to public participation.

What are the main barriers to public participation consultation processes?

Public participation processes are vital for democratic societies, responsive to public needs. However, public participation can be constrained by many factors. Exploring the reasons hindering public participation is crucial for effective consultation processes and achieving better results.

Learn more here.

How can we improve community engagement?

5 easy steps for breaking down barriers and encouraging participation here.

Citizens in Northern Ireland are able to participate in consultations and surveys for governmental initiatives through the online consultation tool Citizen Space.

The online platform is developed and run by the Northern Irish government and features activities from several governmental departments, including the Department of Communities (DfC), Department for the Economy (DfE), Department of Education (DE), Housing Executive (NIHE), etc.

Once a consultation is completed, all responses are carefully analysed and the results are made widely available, with an account of the views expressed and the reasons for decisions finally taken, in line with Northern Ireland’s Open Data Strategy for 2020-2023.

Are you familiar with any similar online tools for public consultations?

The European Commission regularly seeks the views of citizens for developing policies and legislations.

Visit their website to find out more about active public consultations.

Care to learn more about Public Consultations?

Have a look at this brief introduction

What is a public consultation, when is it required, and what are its benefits?

Check out this brief step-by-step guide to learn more.

2nd Awareness-raising campaign: The role of CSOs in society

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is a podcast dedicated to climate action across Europe.

Tune in and listen to their inspirational guests from civil society organisations and their efforts to fight the climate crisis.

Climate Change is impacting human lives and health by threatening access to clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food supply and safe shelter. World Health Organization (WHO)’s ‘Civil Society Working Group’ brings together WHO representatives with NGOs working on health and climate to increase the health sector’s engagement with climate action.

Learn more about their work here.

Check out the Climate Action Stories of Civil Society across the world.

Do you know any similar initiatives in Cyprus?

Did you know there are more than 260 Civil Society Organisations operating across the island?

Visit Civic Space’s CSO database to learn more.

Global Citizens is an organisation bringing together people across the globe to call on world leaders, to ACT NOW! Join the movement, change the world.

Learn more here.

“Faces of Civil Society” is a short film series sharing the stories of inspiring activists from Burma, Iraq, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Learn more and watch the series here.

Are you aware of any similar stories from Cyprus?

“10 Myths And Facts About Non-Governmental Organisations” is an awareness raising campaign by Civil Society Advocates debunking myths and misconceptions about the work of NGOs.

Myth 1, tackles CSOs and how their work differs from NGOs.

Learn more here.

The ‘Tuesday Chat Series’ is a monthly meeting bringing together CSOs and the United Nations’ Civil Society Unit to discuss ideas, initiatives, and best practices for promoting positive change within societies.

Learn more here.

CIVICUS Voices is a podcast that brings you voices of people, communities, and organisations defending civil liberties and human rights; with themes ranging from the fight for climate justice to reproductive rights.

Check it out here.

International Civil Society Week (ICSW) promotes a global conversation about the collective power of people acting together for social and political change. Check out the 7 virtual events of ICSW2020/2021, with themes ranging from ‘Artivism for Inclusion’ to ‘Positive Narratives for People Power’ here.

Civil society organisations offer a platform where people can talk, create, engage, and support each other. But they also do much more than that!

Learn more about why civil society is so important.

Who and what is ‘civil society‘?

Check out this article by World Economic Forum to learn more.

What are Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and what do they do?

Learn more in this short video.

1st Awareness-raising campaign: Environment as Civic Right

Did you know that access to a healthy and sustainable environment is a recognised human right? But what does that mean exactly? Here’s 6 key-things you need to know.

How much do you know about climate change?

Test your knowledge by taking this short quiz.

WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 highlights the emergency of changing the ways we produce, consume and govern.

We hope it inspires you to be part of the change for building a nature-positive society.

Here’s 9 things YOU can do about climate change as an active citizen!

A clean and healthy environment is part of our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

What can you do to fight climate change?

Whether you love him or hate him, here’s some ideas by Bill Gates.

Civil rights and protecting the planet go hand-in-hand.

Learn why here.

What are civil rights?

Learn more in this video and this article by Civil Liberties Union for Europe

‘We The People’ is a Netflix animated series aiming to introduce children and youth to US civil rights through music. Check out the episode on ‘Active Citizenship’ to get some ideas on how YOU TOO can be an active citizen!

We are kicking-off our first AdvocaCY awareness raising campaign by taking things frοm the top. What does advocacy mean? Learn more here.

TIGANOKINISI: turning domestic used cooking oil into biodiesel

Turning a harmful waste, such as cooking oil, into biodiesel while promoting development and civic action

Combatting Desertification in Cyprus through Composting

The challenge

Cyprus is one of the 13 Member States that have declared to be affected by desertification under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Estimates suggest that by 2050, about 70% of agricultural land will be very sensitive to desertification and there will be a lack of water for irrigation. The enrichment of active soil carbon concentration and the enhancement of soil productivity are considered the most effective ways to combat desertification. This can be achieved by sustainable green waste management and particularly by composting of green waste and the application of compost to agricultural land. In rural and remote areas, green waste is currently mismanaged by being landfilled, burned, or inappropriately disposed of in open fields posing a constant fire hazard. Instead, this compost raw material should be treated locally in a simple and sustainable way taking into consideration scale and ownership. In order for any waste management scheme to be successful in these particular areas, economies of scale must be developed through the cooperation of neighbouring Local Authorities, farmers and relevant stakeholders.

The solution

The project aims to create a roadmap for 7 communities in rural Nicosia (Mitsero cluster) where a Waste Management Scheme for local agricultural green and garden waste is designed and proposed. The goal is to promote the composting of green waste and the application of compost in agricultural land by proposing a solution that addresses both desertification impacts and green waste management. The developed Waste Management Scheme is based on a symbiotic relationship between all key actors in the compost value chain, from waste producers to waste management, to compost end-users, that will minimise costs for compost production and application. The idea is to use existing resources and infrastructure to collect green wastes from farmers and garden wastes from the Local Authorities and to develop a basic local compost facility that will produce quality compost to be provided to local farmers for land application. All key actors will be the owners of the Scheme which will be financed by a combination of three options: farmer’s own contribution (membership fee), government incentives currently under development (subsidies for compost per treated land) and local authorities’ contribution.

This project is funded under the Cyprus Environment Foundation

MIO-ECSDE MEDITERRANEAN ACTION DAY 2020: Fishermen for the Akamas Marine Protected Area

The Akamas Pensinsula in Cyprus has been designated a Natura 2000 site for its rich and pristine terrestrial biodiversity. The marine area around the Akamas Peninsula has also been designated as a Marine Protected Area, the only one in Cyprus, because it is home to the island’s most important marine turtle reserve. Nonetheless, the wider Paphos District, within which the Akamas Pensinsula is located, has seen rapid development in recent years, as a result of increased touristic and foreign investment opportunities. Consequently, there is an ongoing, often heated debate, on the need of the conservation status of the peninsula as most of the land is privately owned. At the same time, the Cypriot fishing community, already struggling as a result of the relatively poor, oligotrophic waters of Cyprus, is eager to expand its fishing area within the Akamas Marine Protected Area. The root cause of the problem is a lack of understanding of the importance of the Akamas Natura 2000 site not only to the local and national environment but also to the local and national economy.

AKTI has extensive experience in working with local stakeholders in the wider Paphos/Akamas area and in environmental awareness-raising in general. This experience has demonstrated that bridging the knowledge and awareness gap can have significant positive impacts in changing behaviors and supporting environmental protection actions. A notable example is the very recently launched by AKTI (June 2020) Fishing for Litter initiative in Paphos (the first in the Republic of Cyprus), under the name Seanergy, with the active and eager collaboration of the Paphos District Fishermen’s Union. These are the same fishermen that operate in the periphery of the Akamas Natura 2000 site!

Also through several other activities in the area (such as Blue Cafes, the MELTEMI project activities etc), for the last 10 years, AKTI has created a base of stakeholders that can act as a core group to spread the word that protecting Akamas as a precious MPA is a win win situation! Through this proposal, AKTI would like to build on the success of its activities in the Akamas Pensinsula and boost public engagement so as to have more stakeholders supporting the protection of Akamas Natura 2000 site.

This has been achieved through the organization and implementation of a series of awareness-raising activities, as follows:

✅ The organization of a hike in the Natura 2000 site and more specifically at Avakas Gorge

✅ The implementation of semi-structured interview, virtual and over the phone, with fishermen, NGOs, tour operators and educators in the area to identify the main bottlenecks as well as solutions on how the Akamas Marine Protected Area can become a significant asset for the economic prosperity of the area.

✅ A social media campaign on Natura 2000 and especially the Akamas site.

Το Νερό είναι στα Χέρια μας (Water is in our Hands)

A project in collaboration with Finish and Strovolos Municipality, aiming to reduce water use in Nicosia. The project is run in the area of Strovolos in Nicosia where businesses in the area are identified and visited to distribute a kit including water-reducing filters. These filters are installed in the businesses and the water usage documented over the period of a year. The aim of the project is to save 1 million litres of water in the area over the span of that year.

Ocean Conservancy: Citizen-science, Advocacy and Social Co-Responsibility for Trash Free Seas in Cyprus

A recent EU survey on the environment demonstrated what we have long known: while Cypriots express concern about the environment they are unlikely to act on environmental issues at the individual level. In the run-up to the 2019 ICC, AKTI launched a media campaign to encourage individuals to act spontaneously, as responsible citizens, against marine litter. The campaign was named “#potavristou”, which literally means “reach out” in the Cypriot dialect, but also has the meaning of “giving a helping hand”. AKTI, through its social media and with the support of several public media (TV & radio), asked individuals to simply “reach out”, anywhere they were on September 21st, collect the litter lying around them, take a photo and post it on social media using the hashtag “#potavristou”. Facts on marine litter and plastic pollution were shared on social media in the week leading up to the event to exemplify the #potavristou meaning. Over 500 people posted pictures and data on collected litter all around the coastline of Cyprus. It was a great achievement for Cyprus! This was the first campaign that targeted the self-responsibility of Cypriots as citizens, without organized groups or beach clean-up events on specific beaches. It is obvious that there is public sensitivity on the issue. And there is a definite need for more concerted actions, awareness, and stronger advocacy work. Cyprus has one of the lowest recycling rates in Europe. While lack of citizen action plays a role in this, inappropriately enforced legislation is also an important contributor. A striking example of this is the fact that the hospitality sector (HoReCa) is not obligated to separate and recycle their waste! With this proposed activity, capitalizing on the success of #potavristou, AKTI aims to strengthen its outreach for enhancing citizen engagement and its capacity to offer broader advocacy to a larger spectrum of citizens groups through (1) empowering/encouraging citizens to act against marine litter, (2) gathering important-for-research citizen-science data that are scarce in Cyprus, (3) liaising with key stakeholders to identify effective measures to stop the flow of litter to the marine environment.

The proposed activity is supported by the Cypriot Commissioner for Environment.

Activity Goals:

– Instill a sense of social co-responsibility about marine litter by capitalizing on the success of the 2019 ICC in Cyprus and the #potavristou campaign.

– Collect important citizen-science data to inform AKTI’s future actions/messages on marine litter.

– Advocate for stricter measures to reduce the flow of litter to the marine environment.

Procedure:

A. Call to Action for the 2020 ICC and #potavristou initiative using the “Clean Swell” application to record the litter collected.

B. Brand Data Surveys: AKTI will select 3 beaches around the island and implement the Ocean Conservancy Brand Data Survey in October/November 2020, identifying the main brands but also determining whether this litter originates in Cyprus or is washed ashore from neighboring countries.

C. Policy Tool Development: In the winter 2020/spring 2021 AKTI will implement 3 specially designed workshops to gather stakeholder opinions on suitable, effective and applicable measures to address the marine litter issue. The first two workshops will take the form of ‘Blue Cafes’ i.e. get togethers at informal settings where participants, comprised of a mixture of local decision-makers, business owners (i.e. hospitality sector), NGO representatives and citizen groups will discuss the issue of marine litter within their area (sources, impacts) and identify potential solutions. The third workshop will be the wrap-up event: it will bring together decision-makers at the local and national level. Based on a dedicated decision support method and the suggestions from the Blue Cafes, the participants will identify and select the most effective measures to address marine litter in Cyprus. The outputs from this workshop will be used to form a Policy Tool i.e. an Advocacy Tool for AKTI to present to high-level decision-makers. The support of the Cypriot Commissioner of the Environment is a very important asset for the action’s success.

#επιΜενουμεΜαζι : Στηρίζουμε τους μικρούς παραγωγούς της Κύπρου.

#ΑΚΤΙ_ngo #greencluster

Το Κέντρο Μελετών και Έρευνας ΑΚΤΗ ξεκινά σήμερα εκστρατεία για την υποστήριξη μιας μεγάλης ομάδας συμπολιτών μας που έχει πληγεί από την καραντίνα: οι μικροί παραγωγοί της Κύπρου, βρίσκονται σε όλη την επικράτεια, παράγουν καταπληκτικά προϊόντα και αυτή τη στιγμή έχουν αποκλειστεί από τις αγορές και δεν έχουν τρόπο πρόσβασης σε πελάτες.

Η ΑΚΤΗ εδώ και 5 χρόνια έχει αναπτύξει την πλατφόρμα μικρών επιχειρήσεων της Κύπρου, Green Cluster (http://www.greenclustercy.org) που σήμερα αποτελεί το μεγαλύτερο δίκτυο μικρών επιχειρήσεων της Κύπρου με 380 μέλη. Με βάση την πατφόρμα μας, ξεκινάμε σήμερα μια προσπάθεια να φέρουμε σε επαφή τους «αποκλεισμένους» καταναλωτές με τους «αποκλεισμένους» μικρούς παραγωγούς. Έχουμε ήδη μιλήσει με πάνω από 50 παραγωγούς, που είναι σε απόγνωση και πιστεύουν σε αυτή την προσπάθεια: μέλι, χαλούμι, τυρί του Πάσχα, χαρουπόμελο, τραχανάς, ραβιόλες, λάδι και άλλα πολλά. Δεν έχουν μεν δίκτυο διανομής, αλλά αν έχουν παραγγελίες θα συνεργαστούν και μεταξύ τους και θα βρεθεί μια λύση.

Καλούμε τους συμπολίτες μας να επισκεφθούν την πλατφόρμα της ΑΚΤΗΣ, www.greenclustercy.org, και να ακολουθήσουν την ΑΚΤΗ στο fb ΑΚΤΗ / AKTI Project and Research Centre, στο Instagram https://www.instagram.com/akti_ngo/. Κάθε μέρα θα παρουσιάζουμε παραγωγούς από τα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης και την ιστοσελίδα μας. Ο κάθε πολίτης ας κάνει την προσπάθεια, να βρει τους παραγωγούς που είναι όσο το δυνατό πιο κοντά τους ή και μακρύτερα, να επικοινωνήσει, να προσπαθήσουν μαζί να βρουν λύση για το πώς θα γίνει η διανομή. Εμείς στην ΑΚΤΗ θα επικοινωνήσουμε με εταιρείες διανομής, π.χ. φαγητού, μεταφορικές εταιρείες κλπ για να μπορέσουμε όλοι μαζί να βρούμε τη λύση. Καλούμε όποιον μπορεί να βοηθήσει να επικοινωνήσει μαζί μας.
Η κοινωνική αποστασιοποίηση δεν σημαίνει να κλειστούμε στο καβούκι μας και να μιζεριάσουμε.

#ΜένουμεΣπίτι και #επιΜενουμεΜαζι: Στηρίζουμε τους μικρούς παραγωγούς της Κύπρου.

Σχετικά με την πρωτοβουλία της ΑΚΤΗς, παρακολουθήστε τις πιο κάτω συνεντεύξεις της Προέδρου του Δ.Σ. της ΑΚΤΗς, Δρ. Ξένιας Ι. Λοϊζίδου:

https://www.facebook.com/farosonair/videos/544690592714752/

https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/523422311937383/?entry_source=FEED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HerxZxGAtPY&t=1s

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Let’s #PersistTogether: We support small Cypriot producers

#ΑΚΤΙ_ngo #greencluster

AKTI Project and Research Center is launching a campaign today to support a large group of our quarantine-affected citizens: the small-scaled Cypriot producers all over the country, are producing great products and are currently excluded from the having no way to reach their customers.

AKTI has developed during the past 5 years the Cyprus Small Business Platform, Green Cluster (http://www.greenclustercy.org), which is today the largest small business network in Cyprus with 380 members. Based on our platform, today we are starting an effort to bring ‘excluded’ consumers into contact with ‘excluded’ small producers. We have already spoken to over 50 producers who are in despair and believe in this endeavour: honey, halloumi, Easter cheese, carob syrup, tarhana, ravioli, oil and many more. They do not have a distribution network, however if they have orders they will cooperate with each other and a solution will be found.

We invite our fellow citizens to visit AKTI’s platform, www.greenclustercy.org, and follow AKTI on Facebook ΑΚΤΗ / AKTI Project and Research Centre and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/akti_ngo/. Every day we will present producers on our social media and website. Let every citizen make the effort to find the producers that are close to them or even further away, contact them and work out a solution on how to get their products delivered. We at AKTI will contact distribution companies, e.g. food, shipping companies etc so we can all come together and find a solution. We invite anyone who can help to reach us. We can set up this network of mutual support.

These days let’s all show solidarity. Social distancing does not mean stay locked, impassive and miserable. We #StayHome and #PersistTogether: We support small Cypriot producers.

BeMed: The Cyprus Responsible Coastal Businesses Network against Single-Use Plastics

Marine litter is an environmental, economic as well as human health problem with no simple solution. It poses a global, complex and multi-dimensional challenge with significant implications for the marine and coastal environment and human activities all over the world. Single-use plastic products constitute more than 70% of all marine litter items. The European Commission in May, 2018 proposed new EU-wide rules that target to reduce the ten most common single-use plastic products found on Europe’s coastal areas and seas.

This year-long project funded by the Beyond Plastic Med Foundation aims to raise awareness on the impact of single-use plastics on the environment and consequently on human health and provide practical solutions to the problem targeting key stakeholders of the Cypriot society, specifically coastal businesses.

📌The specific OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT are:

1️⃣. Awareness-raising of key stakeholders who contribute to, are affected by and are responsible for taking decisions regarding the usage of single-use plastics, particularly coastal businesses and local authorities, as well as the general public. Promote the need to reduce the use of single-use plastics, presenting their detrimental effects on the marine environment and offering a solution oriented campaign (as presented in following points (2) and (3).

2️⃣. Collection and dissemination of best practices for the reduction of single-use plastics through synergistic, novel and practical solutions to the problem. Collaboration of the key stakeholders will be encouraged and recorded.

3️⃣. Expansion of civic engagement through capacity building and skills development in conscious single-use plastic usage, in order to have a societal level change (i.e. coastal business owners, beachgoers, local authorities, students) in regards with the latest proposed EU Directive which aims to reduce marine litter.

📌 The six activities that were implemented over the duration of the project are:

1️⃣. Field trips for marine litter assessment and source identification were implemented, engaging coastal business owners, beachgoers and local communities. More specifically, AKTI implemented annual clean-ups on selected beaches with the collaboration of the Responsible Coastal Businesses, local authorities, schools, and volunteers. A total of 13 marine litter assessments were implemented: 12 beach clean-ups and 1 seabed clean-up, with the participation of almost 400 volunteers, including representatives of 10 local authorities.

AKTI is the national coordinator of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) of the Ocean Conservancy in Cyprus. Therefore, all the clean-ups were implemented using the International Coastal Cleanup Protocol. The data have been included in AKTI’s Regional Marine Litter Database and have also been submitted to the ICC. Over 18,000 litter items were collected, weighing more than 300 kilos.

📸🌊Some photos from the Beach and Seabed Cleanups, are available here:

2️⃣. A Guide that highlights the practices that can be applied by each stakeholder/target group in order to reduce the use of single-use plastics, has been developed, printed and distributed to all the Network Members as well as the coastal authorities we visited and informed about single use plastics. The Guide developed as part of this activity, aims to support businesses that are members of the Cypriot Responsible Coastal Business Network to implement practices that will minimize their consumption of single-use plastics, reduce the amount of litter that they produce, and thus contribute to the overall reduction of marine pollution. In so doing, the guide will help prepare coastal businesses for the Single-Use Plastics Directive of the European Union, which will come into force in 2021 and that will ban the use of the most common types of single-use plastics that end up in the marine environment. In summary, the guide seeks to fill a significant information and awareness gap by engaging key stakeholder groups and encouraging them to make a difference by incorporating more sustainable practices in their operations and thus contributing to the fight against plastic marine pollution.

200 copies of the Guide (100 copies in English and 100 copies in Greek) were produced and distributed to the Members of the Responsible Coastal Business Network, and other stakeholders

An electronic version of the Guide, is available here:

✅Good Practice GUIDE_gr

✅ Good Practice GUIDE_en

3️⃣. Strengthened and expanded the «Responsible Coastal Businesses Network» to 204 members, through the implementation of an Extensive Awareness-raising Campaign, which was implemented from May 2019 to September 2019 (in the tourist season) targeting all coastal businesses on the island. In these campaigns, AKTI’s staff liaised with business owners/managers/employees, informing them about marine litter (sources and impacts) as well as about the upcoming European legislation on single-use plastics and how it affects them, and assisting them in implementing practices that will minimize their plastic production and thus minimize the potential for marine plastic pollution from their operations and their customers’ activities. The aim of the Network is to engage businesses in the fight against marine litter, by (i) raising awareness about the problem,(ii) sharing some best practices and examples on how to actively minimize their contribution to the problem through the Guide which was developed during the implementation of the project and distributed to coastal businesses and (iii) getting them invested in the protection of their nearby coastal environment as a means of securing and expanding their business.

✅ The Responsible Coastal Businesses Network is visible on this Map.

The awareness raising campaign also included visits to 16 Coastal Authorities to inform them about the project and the serious problem of single-use plastics, their impact on the environment and consequently on human health.

The involvement of representatives from these local authorities in the awareness raising visits to coastal businesses, added particular clout to this activity.

4️⃣. School visits were implemented to inform and raise awareness in children and youth about the problem of single-use plastics and its negative impacts on the marine environment. Dr. Michael Loizidis and Dr. Xenia I. Loizidou prepared an interactive presentation on marine litter and provided a ‘train the trainers’ workshop to AKTI’s team so they could more effectively engage students of all ages during the school visits. Presentations were given at 10 schools reaching 1244 students.

During these interactive presentations, children learned about marine litter and specifically the impact of single-use plastics on the marine and coastal environment, through fun games and hands-on activities. The presentation finished with ways to reduce single-use plastic consumption and a call to action.

📸Some photos from the Training of the Trainers by Dr. Michael Loizides and Dr. Xenia Loizidou for the presentations in schools, are available here:

📸Some photos from the School Visits, are available here:

In the framework of the project, an additional action was implemented which was not included in the project’s specific goals. An awareness raising campaign on marine litter was implemented in 2 Cypriot Universities, twice at Cyprus University of Technology and once at University of Cyprus, to inform and raise awareness in 400 students about the problem of single-use plastics and its negative impacts on the marine environment.

📸Some photos from the Awareness Raising Campaign in Universities, are available here:

5️⃣. A highly publicised Final event was implemented at the end of the project. The ceremony took place on June 5, 2020 on the occasion of the World Environment Day, at the Municipal Beach of Geroskipou in Paphos. During the event, the overall results of the initiative were presented, and two artistic installations on marine litter were inaugurated. For the installations, AKTI Project and Research Centre collaborated with the Municipality of Geroskipou and the Second Primary School of Geroskipou, under the supervision of Ms Elena Daniel, a Cypriot artist.

The philosophy behind the installation, is the participation of visitors to the beach in the drastic reduction of the inappropriate disposal of plastic waste. The installations are a fun and interactive way to engage children and adults alike in the fight against plastic marine pollution, and act as a reminder that we must find ways to adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. The event took place in the presence of the Environment Commissioner of Cyprus Mrs. Klelia Vassiliou and was attended by over 60 people (observing social distancing practices), including the Geroskipou Mayor Mr. Michael Pavlides and council members, the artist of the installation Ms. Elena Daniel, the Chairperson of Fishermen Federation in Paphos Mr. Leonidas Leonidou, Koloni Green Point manager Mr. Michael Michael, media (TV, radios and newspapers/e-media), Members of the Paphos Winter Swimmers Association, Members of Paphos Fishermen Association, representatives of the First and Second Primary School of Geroskipou, the Gymnasium of Agia Paraskevi and Giannaki Talioti High School in Geroskipou, Members of the Cultural Movement of Geroskipou and Local Community Members. The Ceremony was hugely successful with high Media coverage and publicity, and all stakeholders gave AKTI very positive feedback!

You can find below news clips, about the final event:

📸Some photos from the Final Event, are available here:

6️⃣. Extensive communication and dissemination activities took place over the duration of the project, and especially at times when important activities were implemented, e.g. the project launch, the participation of a representative of ΑΚΤΙ in the Ocean Week in Monaco, the cleanup events, the plastic free July campaign through marine litter facts and tips about single use plastics, the awareness raising campaign against single-use plastics in Universities, the interactive presentations in schools about marine litter and the final event.

Communication and dissemination activities were inclusive of all means and media (print, online, social etc) and included 30 publications about the project by third parties (national circulation newspaper articles, online news portals etc.), 1 TV and 4 Radio appearance, 37 Facebook posts by AKTI with a total reach of 63,529 and 1238 likes, 16 Instagram posts by AKTI with a total reach of 6,168 and 665 likes, 9 YouTube videos uploaded on AKTI’s channel.

MarLitCy: Marine Litter for Synergies, Capacity-building and Peacebuilding

MarLitCy ‘Marine Litter for Synergies, Capacity-building and Peacebuilding’ building on the success of the MarLitCy (2014-2017), is a 36-month long, bi-communal project funded by the European Union, under the Civil Society in Action VI Programme.

MarLitCy aims to use the problem of marine litter as a tool for promoting dialogue and building closer relations between various unconventional target groups in Cyprus. This will be achieved through the implementation of activities that aim to raise awareness to key target groups and the general public about the issue of marine litter, and to promote the uptake of practices that aims to minimize the creation of marine litter across the island.

This project aims to enhance the role of civil society in active citizenship and decision making and to promote grassroots bi-communal collaboration, focusing on an environmental issue of European importance: marine litter. Marine litter is a powerful peace-building tool that has the potential to combat hatred and prejudices, while fostering cooperation among the two communities, providing a common win–win goal for all: keep our seas and coasts clean!

The project will contribute to the enhancement of the role of civil society in democracy, governance and peace building by using marine litter as a tool:

– To create an enabling environment to reduce marine litter

– To equip CSOs and other key stakeholders with the skills and tools to improve the marine environment

AKTI and the other project partners, Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER), Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre and Scuba Divers Association will focus their actions on the following target groups:

University students, children and youth are particularly important, since environmental awareness and consciousness are formed from an early age. The project will therefore encourage children and youth to become involved in voluntary activities, such as beach cleanups, promote active citizenship through the involvement of university students in the decision- making workshop, and support children and youth to express their views and opinions, share them with their peers and take action in identifying solutions through the joint competitions. The project places significant emphasis in creating opportunities for collaboration of children and youth across the divide, in a safe environment that will allow them to build group dynamics and work as a team, through the up- cycled competition, the field activities for university students and the joint final exhibition and event.

Coastal enterprises, the fishing industry and divers are directly exposed to the problem of marine litter. Marine litter can pose a threat to their business through the loss of tourism, loss of fish stocks, or risk to their customers. Project activities that involve the implementation of best practices, such as the “Responsible Coastal Businesses” campaign, the “Fishing for Litter” initiative and “Dive Against Debris”, have been developed with these target groups in mind. Not only will the involvement of coastal enterprises, fishermen and divers in these activities educate them, but it will also build capacity as they will learn new management tools and techniques and they will engage with their local community, other enterprises and university students, enhancing or even creating links between public-private sectors, youth and entrepreneurs.

Coastal local bodies will therefore have an important role to play in the implementation of these best practices and will thus become both project target groups and beneficiaries. The enhancement of collaboration between local bodies and coastal/marine entrepreneurs will lead to the mutual understanding of the issues faced and how to address them. Additionally, participation of local bodies in a workshop that will bring together key decision-makers and stakeholders to discuss the current problems and provide suggestions on the reform of relevant ‘legal text’ in the northern part of the island, to bring it in line with European Directives, will benefit local bodies both in terms of greater understanding and collaboration and in terms of cleaner and safer beaches/sea.

The activities of the project have been designed to meet the needs, capacity and expertise of each target group, and particularly the unconventional target groups such as coastal local bodies, coastal businesses and the fishing industry. Societal needs are coupled with environmental concerns, environmental education and entrepreneurial development, through an integrated set of activities that promote the benefits resulting from cooperation and synergies, while providing solutions and structures to support peace-building and reconciliation.

The proposed activities include:

1. The Responsible Coastal Businesses Campaign and associated Award scheme

2. The expansion of the Fishing for Litter initiative to more ports/harbors in Cyprus

3. A decision-making workshop in the northern part of Cyprus that will bring together local/central decision-makers and key stakeholders

4. Capacity building and educational activities targeting children, youth and university students, an extensive and innovative island-wide awareness campaign

5. Joint competitions and exhibitions on marine litter

The autonomous but inter-connected activities have been designed to engage these target groups in a way that develops synergies and networks.

«ZERO WASTE BEACH»: Tackling marine pollution with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation

AKTI Project and Research Centre implemented the project «ZERO WASTE BEACH», which was supported by Coca-Cola Foundation in an attempt to tackle marine litter.

”The Hub” Cypriot Women’s Leadership Network

Hub: the effective centre of an activity, region, or network

“The Hub” is the Cypriot Women’s Leadership Network to provide opportunities for networking, engagement and advancement. The overall aim of the network is to become the hub, the reference and the supporting mechanism to boost Cypriot women leaders to become active participants in decision making at all levels: public, private and civil society sectors. ‘The Hub’ was established in 2015, designed and developed by AKTI Project and Research Centre, with the support of the US Department of State, under the program Global Women, Peace and Security Initiative.

”The Hub” is being created within a framework of a wider project. Read below about the project.

About the Project

This project addresses the second pillar of the UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security, ”Participation” which states that ” Women participate equally with men and gender equality is promoted in peace and security decision-making processes at national, local, regional and international level”

What is the Goal?

The overarching goal of the project is to empower Cypriot women to become active participants in decision-making at all levels: public, private and civil society sectors more broadly.

What are the Project Objectives?

The main objective of the project was to provide much needed opportunities for networking, engagement and advancement of women on the island, introduce innovation, as well as successfully tackle gender bias. This was achieved through the following:

A Gap analysis on second generation gender bias and women leadership in Cyprus.

The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) conducted a study through desk research and enhanced with experts opinions. This study focuses on gender inequality in decision-making and leadership and provides an understanding of the root causes in such inequality in Cyprus,the main barriers to women’s leadership and possible strategies to overcome gender inequality and increase the participation of women in decision-making at all levels.

Desk based study to identify successful leadership networks in Cyprus, Europe and internationally.

This study helped to identify Best Practices of Leadership Networks, from Cyprus, Europe and Internationally, which could be emulated by the pioneering Cypriot Women’s Leadership Network. The best practices are presented in the map below.

<ul> <li>The identification of effective Cypriot woman leaders in different sectors to participate in the Cypriot Women’s Leadership Network “core group”.</li> <li>Regional and International Networking.</li> </ul>   <a href="http://www.akti.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disclaimer_footer.png" data-rel="lightbox-0" title=""><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4320" src="http://www.akti.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disclaimer_footer-600x62.png" alt="disclaimer_footer" width="600" height="62" srcset="https://www.akti.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disclaimer_footer-600x62.png 600w, https://www.akti.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disclaimer_footer-300x31.png 300w, https://www.akti.org.cy/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/disclaimer_footer.png 629w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /></a>

The organisation and implementation of a number of training and networking events, bringing together Cypriot Women Leaders.

The trainings, events and meetings aimed to allow women leaders to exchange views and opinions and identify opportunities for collaboration and mutual support.

The Green Cluster

Cluster: a bunch, a bundle, a collection… a group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together.

Green Cluster is a new initiative being developed by AKTI Project and Research Centre. It is a dynamic form of collaboration aiming to strengthen joint activities, to increase innovation, networking, trust building, business development and business environments.

The Green Cluster emerges from a need to bring together businesses with a common interest, the environment, in a collective that will promote business growth and extroversion, will allow access to funds and will encourage and support the creation of start-ups. Watch our Green Cluster video.

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Green Cluster Cluster Activities

The Green Cluster aims to bring together individuals and companies working in the environment and green sector in Cyprus. The aim is to identify individuals that could both contribute and benefit from the creation of the Cluster, since it is envisioned that the Cluster will work symbiotically.

The main activities of the Cluster will involve:

The identification of opportunities and market needs in the green sector in Cyprus;
Sector-specific and solution oriented networking events;
A host of online tools, the Green Cluster e-platform, to share knowledge and information;
A web-database of green best practices, and
much much more.

The Green Cluster Sectors

One of the first actions of Green Cluster is the identification of promising green sectors, i.e. green sectors with potential to be expanded in Cyprus, which will cover nano and small enterprises, green workers and green leaders.Click here to view the sectors.

For more information and to apply to become a member, visit the Green Cluster website.