ABOUT US
IDENTITY
Donor
As a donor, we provide essential financial support to local communities to implement conservation projects. By offering grants, we enable grassroots initiatives to address environmental challenges, protect natural resources, and promote sustainability at the community level.
Acting as a fund operator, we serve as a bridge between donors and beneficiary communities, ensuring that every donation achieves the greatest impact. This involves managing funds efficiently, transparently, and accountably, while also providing guidance and support to help communities effectively utilize resources for conservation projects.
In our role as an enabler and implementer, we empower key actors within local communities by providing cooperation and capacity-building opportunities. This includes offering training, technical assistance, and networking opportunities to support the development and implementation of conservation initiatives. Additionally, we design and run flagship programs, aimed at preserving valuable environmental resources in the Cyclades and fostering collaboration among local entities across the islands.
Do you want to become part of the solution?
CPF achievements: Six years in a nutshell
OUR APPROACH
OUR PEOPLE
The SC members have co-funded the initial budget and keep contributing to our cause in significant ways, including co-funding key operational costs, leveraging personal networks to support our charity in achieving strategic goals and carefully selecting the grants that we fund.
The AC members have a long-standing experience in environmental governance, communication, fundraising and sustainability and provide local knowledge and technical support, as well as their opinion for grant proposals.
The GMP leads the initiative by directing the strategy, approving budget allocation and trying to broaden the donor base. It is CPF’s supreme body and is entitled to decide on all matters relating to the Association which are under its supervision and control.
With a core team of 5 people focusing on local engagement, fundraising, governance, external relations, communication, grant making, advocacy, events, education, campaigns and financial management, assisted by 2 Project Managers with an expertise in local ecosystems preservation and marine conservation, as well as 1 Scientific Advisor, CPF operates with funding mainly from its SC members to ensure that our limited resources are effectively utilized to support environmental conservation efforts in the Cyclades.
Occasionally, the CPF recruits interns and volunteers who are either based on the islands or have significant experience in the areas of our interest to support the work on the ground.
Learn how to join the CPF family here!
LOCAL TEAM
ANNI MITROPOULOU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ioanna Kyriakakis
Campaigns & Operations Manager
Ioanna holds a B.A. in Economics, Business Economics & Finance, and a Diploma in Social Entrepreneurship. She has always been in love with the Cycladic Islands and has drawn inspiration from their unique beauty. This is why she wanted to help preserve the Cyclades’ natural value by joining the CPF in June 2021 as a Project Manager for the CPF Posidonia Alert campaign and educational program, using her 19 years of professional experience in coordinating cultural and educational events to raise awareness on social issues. Making her dream come true, she now lives on Syros Island, and occasionally makes hand-built ceramics inspired by Cycladic beauty and sustainability. Since July 2024, she works as the Campaigns & Operations Manager in the CPF team.
Maria Chrissafi
Head of Finance and Human Resources
Maria started working with CPF in January of 2024 to manage the finances and accounting. Since July 2024, she works as the Head of Finance and HR in the CPF team.
Dorothy Filiotis
Communications & Engagement Officer
Dorothy is a Greek American from Athens with a diverse background in Greek ecological and sustainability related initiatives, interspersed with the academic trajectory including a BA in Evolutionary Anthropology and MA in Regenerative Economics. Over the past years, living on Paros island she worked for a program to reduce single-use plastic and popularise tap water, and has supported on-site and on-line with a food forest project and other eco-literacy campaigns. Since July 2024, she works as the Comms & Engagement Officer in the CPF team.
Ioannis Koutoudis
Grants & Programs Advisor
Ioannis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a Master’s Diploma in Information Systems. He has 7+ years of professional experience developing and managing projects funded by international Funds, the European Commission, National Authorities, Foundations, and Private Donors to create meaningful social impact. As a non-formal educator, his work also focuses on building the capacity of NGOs and specific target groups. Since October 2024, he works as the Grants & Programs Advisor in the CPF team.
EIRINI KARATHANOU
PROJECT MANAGER
Eirini is an ichthyologist with MScs in sustainable management of the aquatic environment and Mediterranean aquaculture. She has worked abroad at Karlstad and Helsinki university as scientific personnel on freshwater ecosystems. Even though always interested in her previous domain, the Mediterranean put a spell on her. She returned to Greece, firstly at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and then she joined the Cyclades Preservation Fund. Born and raised in Thessaloniki, she visited the Cyclades as part of the family holidays, while now she happily works and travels around Cycladic islands. In her leisure time, she swims, scuba dives and never says no to a good book. Since June 2022, she works as a Marine Project Manager in the CPF team.