Best Environmental Project Award at the Green Awards 2024
The Laona Foundation is delighted to announce that it has won the Best Environmental Project Award at the 2024 Green Awards for the Pyranakampsi-Alevlerden Geleceğe (2022-2024) project.
The award ceremony took place on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Goethe-Institut in Nicosia, as part of the European project Environment for Cyprus.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the Pyranakampsi project and helped achieve this success.
About the Project
The Pyranakampsi project aimed to empower civil society in 11 communities affected by wildfires in the mountainous regions of Larnaca and Limassol in July 2021 and at the foothills of Pentadaktylos in 2022.
The devastating fires highlighted the urgent need to address challenges and support affected communities. The project focused on the communities of Agioi Vavatsinias, Akapnou, Arakapas, Vavatsinia, Eptagonia, Ora, Odou, Salamiou, Agios Epiktitos/Catalköy, Agios Amvrosios/Esentepe, and Vasileia/Karşiyaka.
Led by the Laona Foundation in collaboration with the Cyprus Environmental Initiative, the project was funded by Active Citizens Cyprus (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway).
Key activities included:
- Community meetings with residents of fire-affected areas
- Educational school visits
- Tree planting initiatives
- Photography exhibition
- Dry-stone wall restoration workshops to prevent soil erosion after fires
Innovative Approach
The project used the SWOT analysis method—commonly applied in business strategy—adapted for rural communities. This approach helped communities understand their current situation, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to wildfires.
By tailoring the analysis to local needs, the project strengthened community participation, promoted sustainability principles, and supported the restoration of fire-affected areas.
Bicommunal Collaboration & Impact
Recognizing that wildfires and climate change affect all of Cyprus, the project was designed for both communities.
Field activities were carried out jointly, including:
- 379 trees planted
- 195 meters of dry-stone walls built
- 743 volunteers engaged
This collaboration fostered a bicommunal network, showcasing how local communities can play a key role in wildfire prevention.
As a follow-up, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot partners continue working on securing new civil society empowerment projects, leading to an educational visit to Germany through EuropeAid.