The International Civil Society Forum, “Civil Society and Policy Influencing: The European Context and Peace Building,” took place Saturday, June 7th at the Fulbright Center. The Forum represented the culmination of the Cypriot Civil Society Strengthening Program, the eight month series of open training courses for civil society organizations (CSOs), funded by Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT).

The Forum brought together Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot CSOs, their stakeholders, members and associates, plus representatives from international civil society, the private sector, the public sector, the EU, and other interested parties. The all day event featured plenaries, presentations and discussions revolving around civil society engagement and activism, with a specific focus on influencing policy and building peace.

The day closed with a moonlit red carpet Civil Society Awards Ceremony and cocktail reception. One organization from each community claimed an award for their contribution to social development in six unique categories: education and culture; environment; gender issues; health; youth; and social inclusion. In addition, two organizations were awarded a special island-wide cooperation award and two more were honored with a surprise “Juror’s Choice Award.”

ACT aims to create opportunities for both communities to work together on concrete projects which will benefit all people on the island, while at the same time promoting tolerance and mutual understanding. Funded by USAID and implemented by UNDP, ACT supports principles of multiculturalism and European values and provides Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots the resources and opportunities to jointly build the foundations for a sustainable solution to the Cyprus Problem.