Objectives

The Environmental Caretakers Project aims to educate and empower young people to take an active role in environmental stewardship. Through training, youth will learn to observe, document, and report environmental issues they encounter in their daily lives. By doing so, they will become part of a growing network of informed and engaged environmental caretakers working to protect and improve ecosystems across Cyprus.  

The project will be implemented by two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Terra Cypria in the Greek Cypriot community and Taskent Nature Park in the Turkish Cypriot community, who were selected through an Open Call for Proposals published in July, inviting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with experience in environmental and youth projects to submit collaborative proposals for the implementation of the Environmental Caretakers Project.

These organisations will collaborate to develop training materials and workshops on key environmental topics, including, animal welfare, climate change, pollution, and urban mobility. Additionally, they will create an online platform where young people can report environmental issues they identify across the island, fostering greater awareness and action.  

This initiative is designed to bring together young Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to address shared environmental challenges and work towards a more sustainable future through education, collaboration, and technology, breaking down barriers and uniting youth in a shared mission for a greener island.

The Environmental Caretakers Project will include:  

• Joint research on environmental issues, strengthening cross-community knowledge-sharing  

• Co-development of educational materials, including handbooks, brochures, and guidelines 

• Facilitation of twelve (12) workshops, where young people from different backgrounds will learn, interact, and collaborate on environmental solutions  

• Creation of a Digital Platform with GIS capabilities, allowing youth from both communities to document and report environmental issues together  

• A public awareness campaign, promoting island-wide engagement and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for the environment  

At its core, the project aims to build a strong network of young environmental ambassadors from both communities, empowering them to take the lead in promoting environmental sustainability across the island.