Powerful publicity campaign in Pedieos river basin
The wider public were targeted in Pedieos river basin by a publicity campaign, which took place between September 2016 and March 2017. The campaign shared the results of the BeWater project in the basin and raised public awareness on the issues of managing the basin.
The Cyprus Institute research team presented the Pedieos River Basin Adaptation Plan to the Environment Committee of the Cyprus Parliament, on 15 February 2017. The Committee Members acknowledged the importance of scientific research in adapting to climate change, highlighting the eminent need for implementing the prioritised adaptation options and expressed their willingness to cooperate in finding viable solutions.
World Water Day event, Nicosia: Photo: Christos Zoumides, CyI
The event was covered in the national media, Cyprus Mail. Additionally, the outcomes of the Adaptation Plan for the Pedieos River Basin were discussed during an interview on the National Radio Station on 22 March 2017.
A survey targeting the general public was conducted in the linear park along the Pedieos River and the Mall of Cyprus, the largest shopping centre in Nicosia, in November 2016. The survey had three main aims: disseminate the results of the BeWater project; examine public awareness on floods, which is one of the main identified challenges for the Pedieos River Basin; and explore people’s opinions of sustainable drainage options, which was one of the climate adaptation options for the flood challenge. A total of 391 people participated in the survey. During October and November 2016, the collection of banners for Pedieos River Basin was exhibited at the Water Board of Nicosia, mostly targeting water managers as well as the local community.
The Cyprus Institute research team participated in the annual World Water Day Event, organised by the Water Development Department on 18 March 2017, to disseminate BeWater results. The Pedieos Watershed, Water Cycle and Climate Change workshop used interactive dissemination tools including a climate change adaptation mapping game, where people can select climate change adaptation options (displayed on magnets), identify their functioning on the banners and place them on a large, illustrated map of the Pedieos River Basin. The game proved popular with children and adults alike.
Finally, all stakeholders who had been involved in the BeWater process throughout the project period, were invited to a science-society café, on 22 March 2017. This event provides the final opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the BeWater project in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and to seek opportunities for the continuation of the established collaboration.
The positive response from the Cyprus parliament raises hope for inclusion of BeWater findings in future management plans for the river basin, while increased public awareness on the river basin and its challenges should ensure that management options are better understood, and hopefully better accepted, by the basin inhabitants.
The publicity campaign marks the end of the BeWater project in Pedieos river basin. The project is completed on 31 March 2017 after 42 months.
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