Strengthening Civil Society to Actively Participate in the Process of Reconciliation
On 1 October 2005 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its peace building project in Cyprus, Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT). The purpose of ACT is to create opportunities for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to work together on projects which will benefit all people on the island, while at the same time promoting inter-communal tolerance and mutual understanding. In 2008, the ACT programme moved into its second phase, where it continues to promote inter-communal cooperation with a focus on strengthening civil society’s capacity to actively participate in the process of reconciliation.
ACT projects consist of island-wide efforts, providing Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots with opportunities to work together on common issues and participate in a variety of peace-building initiatives across the divide. Between 2009 and 2011 ACT will be supporting large scale projects. While each project has its own niche, focus and expertise, all projects are geared towards achieving ACT’s overall goal and peacebuilding efforts in Cyprus as a whole.
ACT currently funds projects that:
1. Strengthen Cypriot civil society’s ability to effectively support and contribute to the peace process
2. Provide Cypriots with opportunities to have a say in social and policy change on issues of common concern
3. Promote cooperation, common understanding and reconciliation
Partners
To achieve greater impact, ACT works in partnership with civil society. Our partners include business leaders, media and technical professionals, service providers, civil society activists, youth leaders, educators, academics, researchers, opinion leaders and policy makers in both the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.