Project duration: 09/2025 – 07/2026

Status: ON-GOING

* Phase 3 of this project is made possible with help from the lead supporter, Intergaz Ltd, and the supporter Vassiliko Cement Works Public Company Ltd.

The challenge

Coastal and marine environments across the Mediterranean are under constant pressure from multiple interacting sources that severely affect marine biodiversity. In Cyprus, the main threats include unsustainable coastal development, marine pollution (such as eutrophication and plastic waste), coastal erosion, overfishing, and the spread of invasive alien species. Despite these growing challenges, public awareness and understanding of the marine environment—and of Cyprus’ unique relationship with it—remain limited. While some progress has been made, many communities still lack access to marine education. This highlights the urgent need to expand the project’s reach, ensuring that every child and educator—regardless of background—can engage meaningfully with the Mediterranean and help shape a more ocean-literate and empathetic generation.

 

The solution

Following the success of the project’s first and second phase, the team (made up of experienced educators, researchers and artists, all dedicated and long-term collaborators of Enalia Physis), continues its educational activities and is actively collecting qualitative data from both student workshops and teacher training sessions to assess the emotional and pedagogical impact of the Creative Arts in marine environmental education. The project delivers creative educational workshops, interactive storytelling shows, and dedicated training seminars that promote marine environmental awareness through the Creative Arts. Designed for children aged 3–12, activities take place in schools, environmental centres, galleries, and museums, using music, visual arts, dance, drama, and storytelling to cultivate ocean empathy and a strong sense of marine identity. Workshops address key Mediterranean issues such as marine litter, bycatch of vulnerable species, degradation of Posidonia oceanica, and the conservation of the endangered monk seal (Monachus monachus). In parallel, the project offers training for educators, equipping them with creative tools to embed Mediterranean Sea Literacy (MSL) into their classrooms and foster environmentally conscious learning environments. The team also provides practical ideas and guidance, actively supporting schools across Cyprus in joining the Network of European Blue Schools.

The initiative has been embraced by more than 50 schools across Cyprus and has gained international recognition, receiving distinctions such as the MakeEUBlue Special Award 2025, inclusion in UNESCO Ocean’s Blue Thread network, and a special mention by the BlueMissionMed initiative. Since 2022, it has been presented at numerous national and international conferences, promoting environmental empathy and action through science, education, and the Creative Arts. The project is also an active member of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” blue family’.

 

Project’s deliverables

• 12 Creative experiential workshops for children: the facilitators will empower young children, providing them with a feeling of ownership and emphasize that they too can be a part of the solution of the problem that our ocean and waters are facing. All workshops are based on Enalia’s environmental books for children, which were created thanks to funds from previous projects.*
  • 12 Teacher training sessions for educators: Teacher Training Sessions: These seminars aim to inspire educators to unlock their creativity, enhance their knowledge and teaching skills, and build confidence in teaching marine-related subjects through the Creative Arts. Participants will learn to use hands-on tools to extend their students’ learning in various subjects, including Literacy, Maths, History, and Geography just to mention a few.*
  • 2 “Here Only Monachus” interactive storytelling shows: This captivating storytelling show, featuring live music, focuses on the Mediterranean monk seal and its major threats. Curated by storyteller Marina Katsaris and musician Giannis Koutis, it is based on Vaggelis Gettos’ book, illustrated by Chloe Finn, published by Enalia Physis Environmental and Research Centre back in 2020 also entitled “Here Only Monachus”. The book can be found in Greek, here. Alternatively, one can also listen to the audiobook, here.
  • Procurement of essential equipment: this action will support a more effective way of promoting the work through professional-grade content creation and live streaming capabilities. It will also cover the repairment and replacement of damaged equipment.
  • Participation in Marine Education / Ocean Literacy conferences in 2025 and 2026.

 

* The schools that Enalia team will be working closely with during Phase 3, offering both creative workshops for children and teacher training seminars:

• Aradippou B’ Primary School
• Agios Lazaros Public Primary School
• Anafotia Primary School
• Kalo Chorio Larnacas Primary School
• Avgorou Primary School
• Liopetri Primary School
• Kalavasos Primary School
• Tochni Primary School
• Maroni–Psematismenos Primary School
• Zygi Primary School

 

A bit about the organization

Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre is a Cyprus-based non-profit organization established in 2009. The team is composed by experts in biological and environmental research and management, covering a wide range of fields such as conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, marine and freshwater biology, fisheries, ecology, environmental education and geography as well as socio-economics. The organization aspires to become a strong environmental platform for research and to be able to influence decisions about the environment in a positive and constructive manner, utilizing their connection with an international network of collaborators. Their purpose is to conduct and promote environmental research in marine and terrestrial ecosystems and to encourage and enhance education and ecological awareness of the general public. Since 2009, education and public awareness are at the heart of Enalia’s actions in order to promote environmental conservation through progress in political, cultural and social change.