Title
Organisational Strengthening – Cyprus Organic Advisory Group (COAG)
Background
The Cyprus Organic Advisory Group (COAG), which was created in early 2005, has successfully established itself
as a bi-communal independent network of organic farming stakeholders. It has also made a significant impact by
promoting organic farming at the state fair and other venues. Through the distribution of a questionnaire by COAG
to members of the public last year in order to determine the attitudes of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots towards
organic farming, it was revealed that a public awareness campaign is required in order to broaden the market for
organic produce. Furthermore, parallel discussions with the farming community also established that conventional
farmers are not hostile in principle to the conversion to more sustainable methods of farming, but that they require
information, training and capacity building in order to be willing to take financial risks involved in altering their
farming methods. COAG is also now in the process of implementing a project to promote organic farming in
schools, and is currently supporting a bi-communal research project focusing on the use of mycorrhizae (a mutuallybeneficial symbiosis between mushrooms and plant roots) as a new technique for organic vegetable farming. The
role of this project will therefore be to assist COAG to move onto the next stage of its development which will include
its registration as an independent organisation and a diversification of its sources of income, in order to ensure its
long-term sustainability.
The successful implementation of this project will not only serve to create bi-communal awareness about the island
wide benefits of organic farming for environmental preservation and waste management, but will also result in
COAG becoming the main channel for bi-communal exchange of techniques and ideas for organic farming, thus
promoting inter-communal dialogue and cooperation between the GC and TC communities.
Why is this
project
important to
Cypriots?
Main activities
Capacity Assessment - Identification of existing achievements, shortcomings and needs
Market research (consumers and farmers) survey on potential production and demand for organic farming produce in
Cyprus, finding a niche for COAG, and assessing current knowledge of organic farming (and COAG) in Cyprus. Will also
include an analysis of export opportunities for Cypriot organic produce.
Training Needs Assessment - developed based on the aforementioned market research
Business plan – transforming the COAG proposal for a “Centre for Organic Farming and Research” (CORE) into a
business plan which can be submitted to various potential donors.
Market research exercise - Aforementioned market research will be a first step to achieve direct contact with the farmers
Meetings with prospective donors – to diversify potential sources of funding
Recruitment of additional COAG members to broaden membership
Registration process of COAG as a non-profit organisation
Integration of COAG Education project and “mycorrhizae for vegetable farming” projects – linking all projects supported
by COAG into a coherent package.
Workshops/training will include:
 Series of six thematic workshops for the general public
 Field visits as part of the workshop
 On-site training of farmers at selected organic farms (can be combined with the aforementioned field visits)
Awareness campaign - Marketing and media campaign for organic farming and COAG – aimed at farmers and public
Contribution to
cooperation
and trust
between Greek
Cypriots and
Turkish
Cypriots
What does this
project aim to
achieve?
UNDP’s area of
work
Who are the
project
partners?
Duration
Budget
Through the collaborative efforts of COAG members, the International NGO Training and Research Centre
(INTRAC) and other agricultural experts, COAG will not only be established as an independent sustainable provider
of organic farming services to both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, but will also become the main
channel for bi-communal exchange of techniques and ideas for organic farming, thus promoting cooperation and
dialogue between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
The overall aim of this project is the long-term sustainability of COAG by transforming it into an independent,
registered service provider of organic farming services across the island, and the establishment of COAG as the
main channel for bi-communal exchange of techniques and ideas for organic farming.
Environment and Energy for Sustainable Development
COAG with the support of INTRAC
January 2007 – August 2008
CYP 50,000 (approx. USD 113, 896)