Future Together publishes its research report “Participatory Development Models – The Cypriot Experience.”

Future Together publishes its research report “Participatory Development Models – The Cypriot Experience.”

Future Together is launching a new report on citizen participation in the planning of shared spaces, based on examples from Cyprus and beyond.

A few decades ago, Cyprus could still boast a large number of mixed villages, where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots used to share common spaces. More recently, few of these places remain, but many Cypriots still hope to be able to live together in the future and plan the revitalization of their shared heritage together in an inclusive manner.

This report was specifically made to examine current participatory approaches used in inter-communal projects in Cyprus over the last decade or so, and to extract the lessons learned from these processes in terms of involving the public in the decision-making process. The aim is to share these best practices more widely in Cyprus and the region and engage Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots further and ensure their participation in the planning of shared physical spaces, with a particular emphasis on cultural heritage and environmental initiatives. It is hoped that ultimately, these examples can also inspire a more inclusive reconciliation process on the island. 

Future Together aims to increase citizen participation in decision-making processes, in particular as regards shared physical spaces, and ultimately, to thereby enable a more inclusive reconciliation process on the island.

Implemented by ETEK and KTMMOB and supported by UNDP-ACT with funds from USAID, Future Together invites and encourages the civil society to take an active role in participating in planning a common future for all the residents of this island.