
The LIFE Cyclamen team organised a “LIFE Information Day – 2019 Call” in Limassol on Thursday, April 18th 2019, as a part of the Cyprus Capacity Building LIFE Programme. The purpose of the event was to inform any potential beneficiaries of the LIFE Programme 2019 Call.
During the event, the two Sub-Programmes and their thematic priorities were described based on the Multiannual Action Programme for 2018-2020. In addition, participants were informed of the different services the National Contact Point (NCP) offers to applicants, as well as to ongoing or past projects. Useful hints and tips were given regarding capturing and maturing an idea, as well as on writing a successful LIFE Proposal.
Guest Speakers
During this Info Day we had the pleasure of having with us two guest speakers:
- Dr. Konstantinos Makris, from the Cyprus University of Technology, presented the ORGANIKO LIFE+ project. The Cyprus University of Technology is the coordinator of this project, which aimed to demonstrate a viable transformation for farmers interested in organic farming practices, and help increase the market share of organic products in Cyprus. This project managed to develop organic farming protocols (for apples and barley), organise seminars on organic farming for farmers, assist in the development of a strategic national plan of mitigating climate change in agriculture through the advancement of organic farming, demonstrate the comparative performance of organic production and assist in the implementation of the Green Public Procurement Policy in Public Services through the signing of an agreement between the Public Procurement Directorate and suppliers / producers of organic food.
- Mr. Lefkios Sergides, Director of Terra Cypria (NGO), presented the experience of this NGO with the LIFE Programme. Mr Sergides mentioned two LIFE Projects, BIOforLIFE (LIFE11 INF/CY/000863) and AgroLIFE [LIFE13 BIO/CY/001114]. The objective of the BIoforLIFe project was to change the way we think and behave towards natural resources and convey messages about the importance of biodiversity through a communication campaign. The AgroLIFE project studied Mediterranean High Nature Value Farmland focusing on two main types, vineyards and carob groves, with the goal of promoting and enabling the long term conservation of HNVFs in Cyprus. According to Mr Sergides, the benefits of an NGO from the LIFE Programme are: Networking, know-how, building stronger relationships with governmental bodies and organised groups and of course the promotion of an NGO.
You can view all the presentations of the day below:
1. LIFE Programme 2. Role of the NCP 3. Two stage approach, eligibility criteria and evaluation 4. Climate Action 5. LIFE Programme Experiences – CUT 6. LIFE Programme Experiences – Terra Cypria 7. Nature & Biodiversity 8. Environment & Resource Efficiency 9. Local Authorities in LIFE Projects & Policy Uptake 10. Hints & Tips for a successful LIFE Proposal

Lefkios Sergides at LIFE Info Day 2019, Limassol