As we mark the one-year milestone of the TRANS-lighthouses project, we are thrilled to share the accomplishments of our pilot thus far. Our journey has been filled with exploration of our pilot territory and the meaningful engagement with key stakeholders and community groups identified. As we look ahead, we are eager to continue collaborating with diverse stakeholders to co-create Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and innovative models of governing them within the Strovolos - Pedieos Linear Park.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
One significant achievement has been the active involvement of the Strovolos municipality. Working closely with municipal representatives, we have engaged with relevant governmental agencies, notably the Water Development Department and the Department of Forests. These interactions have shed light on the challenges facing the Pedieos River, underscoring the importance of:
1. Collaborative efforts to preserve local ecosystem biodiversity.
2. Increasing awareness within the community regarding the shared responsibility for maintaining public spaces and promoting biodiversity in urban environments.
3. Re-evaluating the current governance model based on weaknesses identified during our collaborative diagnostic activities.
NGOs
Throughout the co-diagnostic phase, we have met with various NGOs whose expertise will be invaluable in developing inclusive and sustainable NBS. Organizations such as Birdlife Cyprus, Cyprus Energy Agency, Isotech - AKTI, and TERRA Cypria have highlighted the urgency of enhancing biodiversity and managing water resources in flood-prone areas. Their insights into participatory culture have underscored the importance of community trust and awareness in successful engagement efforts.
We also engaged with VOLT Cyprus, a political party - member of an EU network with experience in urban development, who emphasized the role of NBS as social spaces fostering community cohesion.
Additionally, The Cyprus Planetarium has expressed willingness to collaborate with TRL, offering expertise and technical resources for NBS analysis and design as well as leveraging their EU networks for multiplying impact.
Focus Groups
To ensure inclusivity, we targeted underrepresented community groups:
1. Children: Our discussions with the local Scouts have shown promising alignment with TRL goals. The Scouts expressed eagerness to participate in co-diagnostic tasks, leveraging their rapport with the community to foster trust and engagement.
2. Elderly: We engaged with the local Adult’s Center, providing a platform for elderly residents to voice concerns and preferences regarding the linear park. Their feedback highlighted issues of safety and maintenance, as well as a desire for greater inclusion in decision-making processes.
Outreach Activities
In recent months, we have seized opportunities to engage with the public through local events, including the Happiness Fair, sCYence Fair, and Blood Donation & Brunch Event. These events provided avenues for interactive engagement, including surveys, mapping exercises, and interviews, garnering positive feedback and interest in TRL's approach to community involvement in urban development.
In conclusion, our interactions with the community have been instrumental in shaping the progress of the Strovolos Pilot. We have learned that despite initial mistrust, physical interaction and diverse data collection methods have proven enlightening and productive. As we continue to evaluate the information gathered, we hope this update serves as inspiration for future pilot initiatives.
The Strovolos Pilot Team
As we mark the one-year milestone of the TRANS-lighthouses project, we are thrilled to share the accomplishments of our pilot thus far. Our journey has been filled with exploration of our pilot territory and the meaningful engagement with key stakeholders and community groups identified. As we look ahead, we are eager to continue collaborating with diverse stakeholders to co-create Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and innovative models of governing them within the Strovolos - Pedieos Linear Park.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
One significant achievement has been the active involvement of the Strovolos municipality. Working closely with municipal representatives, we have engaged with relevant governmental agencies, notably the Water Development Department and the Department of Forests. These interactions have shed light on the challenges facing the Pedieos River, underscoring the importance of:
1. Collaborative efforts to preserve local ecosystem biodiversity.
2. Increasing awareness within the community regarding the shared responsibility for maintaining public spaces and promoting biodiversity in urban environments.
3. Re-evaluating the current governance model based on weaknesses identified during our collaborative diagnostic activities.
NGOs
Throughout the co-diagnostic phase, we have met with various NGOs whose expertise will be invaluable in developing inclusive and sustainable NBS. Organizations such as Birdlife Cyprus, Cyprus Energy Agency, Isotech - AKTI, and TERRA Cypria have highlighted the urgency of enhancing biodiversity and managing water resources in flood-prone areas. Their insights into participatory culture have underscored the importance of community trust and awareness in successful engagement efforts.
We also engaged with VOLT Cyprus, a political party - member of an EU network with experience in urban development, who emphasized the role of NBS as social spaces fostering community cohesion.
Additionally, The Cyprus Planetarium has expressed willingness to collaborate with TRL, offering expertise and technical resources for NBS analysis and design as well as leveraging their EU networks for multiplying impact.
Focus Groups
To ensure inclusivity, we targeted underrepresented community groups:
1. Children: Our discussions with the local Scouts have shown promising alignment with TRL goals. The Scouts expressed eagerness to participate in co-diagnostic tasks, leveraging their rapport with the community to foster trust and engagement.
2. Elderly: We engaged with the local Adult’s Center, providing a platform for elderly residents to voice concerns and preferences regarding the linear park. Their feedback highlighted issues of safety and maintenance, as well as a desire for greater inclusion in decision-making processes.
Outreach Activities
In recent months, we have seized opportunities to engage with the public through local events, including the Happiness Fair, sCYence Fair, and Blood Donation & Brunch Event. These events provided avenues for interactive engagement, including surveys, mapping exercises, and interviews, garnering positive feedback and interest in TRL's approach to community involvement in urban development.
In conclusion, our interactions with the community have been instrumental in shaping the progress of the Strovolos Pilot. We have learned that despite initial mistrust, physical interaction and diverse data collection methods have proven enlightening and productive. As we continue to evaluate the information gathered, we hope this update serves as inspiration for future pilot initiatives.
The Strovolos Pilot Team
