The mission of the Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS) of the European Commission is to provide technical support to Cyprus in the area of environment, circular economy, water, land registry and spatial planning. Purposes are to design the reform of the waste sector; to develop and implement reform policies; and to define, effectively addressing and managing current problems, meet targets and plan action and investments by implementing the new obligations arising from the circular economy package.
The project expects to result in a revised Municipal Waste Management Policy and the National Waste Prevention Programme for Cyprus. Its successful implementation will enable Cyprus to direct investments in promoting the waste hierarchy and to meet its targets and obligations under the waste directives and the circular economy package. The revised Municipal Waste Management Policy and National Waste Prevention Programme documents are expected to shape the future policy of Cyprus on municipal waste management and waste prevention.
IMPEL has agreed to be part of this project in Cyprus. Working with the Department of Environment in their efforts to improve waste management and prevention, the project continues to drive forward. To date, the focus has been on gathering data and information to support the project and provide a robust baseline from which findings and recommendations can be derived. Whilst this has been challenging during COVID-19, the project team has found alternative (and innovative) ways of coming together, exchanging information and moving activities forward.
The complete project team comprises members from across the network, including Italy, Scotland and Spain. The team officially started in July and is now focusing on assessing data/information and engaging with Cypriot colleagues to understand the landscape of waste management and waste prevention in Cyprus. A virtual workshop is being held on 25 August to support these efforts. More (formal) meetings will be held at a later stage.
COVID-19 is undoubtedly having an impact on the project, particularly the challenges of meeting face to face, travelling and just, generally, things taking longer than first anticipated. As such, the timeline and deliverables are continually monitored and, where needed, revised. With this in mind, regular engagement continues with the DG Reform and the Department of Environment Cyprus to ensure robust communications and a clear understanding of project status.
The duration of the project is 15 months – beginning April 2020 with final delivery scheduled for June 2021. During this time, a number of outputs will be delivered, including a revised National Waste Prevention Plan, a revised Municipal Waste Management Plan and a Strategic Environment Assessment.
Team members are: Simonne Rufener (Project Executive), Donna Brodie (Project Manager), Janet Wade (Regulatory Expert), Manuel Salgado (Environmental Expert), Romano Ruggeri (Environmental Expert), Matthew Connacher (Environmental Expert) and Ronnie Robinson (Environmental Expert).
