Forest research activities, neighbourhood ecosystem restoration challenges, school gardening programmes and thematic educational actions aimed at mobilising teachers and students form the core of a proposal by the Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA) that has been selected for funding by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), under the programme Learning About Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF).
The programme is implemented in 28 countries worldwide. This year, however, only four countries were selected for the specialised project Ecosystems Restoration Education (ERE): Cyprus, Argentina, Malaysia and Armenia. CYMEPA’s proposal, titled “Join the FBI: Forest Bureau of Investigation”, received particularly positive evaluations for its creativity and strong potential for scaling, through educational tools, school-based initiatives and digital resources linking environmental education with healthy living and sustainability.
Speaking to Politis, CYMEPA secretary general Dr Michalis Ierides explains how the programme turns natural spaces into “living classrooms” for ecosystem restoration, while cultivating skills related to habitat care, biodiversity and sustainable practices.
What does this international distinction mean for CYMEPA and for Cyprus?
It is a meaningful confirmation of the quality, innovation and credibility of the work CYMEPA has been producing for decades. For Cyprus, it demonstrates that the country can play a leading role internationally in education for sustainable development, and more specifically in ecosystem restoration, by proposing modern and practical solutions.
What is the project “Join the FBI: Forest Bureau of Investigation” and how will it be implemented in Cyprus?
The proposal was commended for its creativity and its strong potential for expansion through educational tools, school programmes and digital resources that link environmental education with healthy lifestyles and sustainability.
The Cypriot project includes forest research activities, neighbourhood ecosystem restoration competitions, school gardening programmes and digital educational resources. These themes are designed to engage a large number of teachers and students, strengthening the link between forest exploration, food systems and healthy living.
The approved funding amounts to €5,000. We also incorporated the Magic World of Culture element from the Net Zero 4 Youth project, enhancing the interdisciplinary and innovative character of the action.
How does CYMEPA stand out in a programme implemented in 28 countries?
CYMEPA consistently invests in the quality of its proposals, close cooperation with the educational community and the connection between local realities and global sustainability goals. We do not remain at a theoretical level. We prioritise action and measurable impact.
It is also worth noting that the Ecosystems Restoration Education project connects teachers and students with nature through hands-on initiatives, aiming to integrate practical ecosystem restoration into teacher training. This approach strengthens environmental responsibility and addresses ecosystem degradation.
The programme transforms natural spaces into “living classrooms”, cultivating skills related to habitat care, biodiversity and sustainable practices. It is implemented by the Foundation for Environmental Education, of which CYMEPA is a member. The foundation is a partner in the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, adapting actions at local level and making ecosystem restoration education accessible globally.
Our strategic partner for the project is the Cyprus Electricity Authority.
What are CYMEPA’s main programmes in Cyprus today?
CYMEPA is the national operator of programmes such as Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Green Key, Adopt a Ship and METAVASEA. At the same time, we continue to develop new educational projects that respond to contemporary environmental challenges.
Education is now at the core of our strategy. We believe meaningful change comes through cultivating environmental awareness from an early age, using tools that encourage critical thinking and action.
CYMEPA is best known for marine protection. How does this connect with forests and land ecosystems?
The environment is a single, interconnected system. Our planet functions through interlinked ecosystems. Protecting forests, soils and freshwater systems directly and indirectly benefits the marine environment.
Through initiatives such as Ecosystems Restoration Education, we highlight this interdependence and promote a holistic approach to environmental protection.
What is the next major challenge for CYMEPA?
The next challenge is universal and shared, the protection of our planet. On a more practical level, it is about further strengthening CYMEPA’s international presence and embedding education for sustainable development more deeply across Cyprus’s social and economic life, with a particular focus on young people.