Conservation Collective’s
Global Gathering 2025

Between May 5-9, 2025, the Cyprus Environment Foundation (CEF) hosted the 2025 Conservation Collective’s (CC) Global Gathering.

Held annually, the CC’s Global Gathering brings together directors and teams from a worldwide network of grassroots environmental foundations. These gatherings are a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic development to enhance the impact of local environmental work around the globe.

This year’s Gathering was attended by 45 members from 19 of 22 of the Conservations Collective’s foundations alongside the CC’s central UK team. The Gathering took place at Casale Panayiotis, a mountain retreat designed with its footprint in mind and the first (and so far, only) hotel in Cyprus to achieve the coveted Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification.

Participants had the opportunity to delve into the activities and grant projects of the various foundations, share experiences, and tackle challenges facing environmental efforts. Workshops focused on “Measuring Impact” and “Fundraising” equipped attendees with valuable insights for their initiatives.

The Gathering also hosted local grantees and partners, showcasing impactful projects and initiatives in Cyprus:

  • Silvio Rusmigo offered inspiring insights on nature photography.
  • Melissa Carro led a refreshing movement workshop.
  • The Enalia Physis team (Rebecca Katsaris, Christina Charalambidou, Marina Katsaris), who work with children to enhance marine environmental awareness through the creative arts, conducted a touching workshop.
  • Damla Beton from the KUŞKOR – The Society for Protection of Birds and Nature team, introduced their critical work studying and protecting the endangered Bonelli’s Eagle on Pentadaktylos mountain range.

Moreover, the participants enjoyed a guided nature walk in the Troodos Mountains led by Takis Papachristophorou, an expert in the Cyprus’ forest and Michaelangelo Pontikis, a birdwatching enthusiast.

The Gathering concluded with the annual Collective Awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding projects supported by the foundations across the network. The awards were presented by internationally acclaimed Cypriot filmmaker Stelana Kliris, with notable attendees including the Commissioner of the Environment, Mrs. Antonia Theodosiou, partners, and supporters of the CEF.

CEF proudly accepted the award in the category Reducing Pollution for the project Empowering the Plastic-Free Beach implemented by TUI Care Foundation and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI).

Furthermore, CEF’s project BonBonTrack: Identifying key habitats of bonelli’s eagle to keep them on track, implemented by KUŞKOR – The Society for Protection of Birds and Nature, was Highly Commended in the category Best Impact.

We would like to thank everyone for their participation and support and congratulate all the winners and runners-up of the Awards, as well as the grantees and local partners who make these projects happen.

Through this Gathering, CEF and CC hope to inspire wider support for environmental initiatives across the island and to underscore the importance of collective action in safeguarding and restoring the natural wonders we cherish.

We express our sincere gratitude to the CC team for the opportunity to host this inspiring event and for collaborating with a remarkable group of individuals dedicated to environmental stewardship.

For more information about the Conservation Collective and the 2025 Collective’s award winners, visit the CC website.