ABOUT US
IDENTITY
Aegean – Cyclades Preservation Fund is an environmental organisation that supports sustainable initiatives and promotes the preservation of the exceptional beauty and natural value of the Cyclades and Aegean islands. Our vision is to generate positive environmental change. Our mission is to develop networks, empower and support local communities of the Cyclades and Aegean to follow sustainable solutions.
Through our triple role within Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), we aim to support environmental conservation and sustainability efforts in the Cyclades and Aegean.
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.
By dynamically allocating funds to both local initiatives (grants) and programs powered by CPF, we ensure that resources are effectively utilized to support environmental conservation efforts in the Cyclades and Aegean region.
Do you want to become part of the solution?
OUR APPROACH
Our approach to environmental preservation in the Cycladic and Aegean islands prioritizes the empowerment of locals and the co-designing of solutions based on community needs. By working in partnership with local stakeholders and providing support tailored to their priorities, mentoring, capacity building and networking opportunities, we effectively address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development in the region.
FUNDING
CPF’s key operational costs and CPF’s grants that support environmental conservation efforts by grassroots organisations in the Cyclades and Aegean islands, are mainly covered by the generous funding from our Trustees, SC members and individual major Donors who trust our work and we are grateful to them. Donating to the CPF is an effective way to give back to nature and protect what you love.
Furthermore, CPF raises funds from national and international foundations, private businesses and other institutions to implement CPF programs which are designed and implemented by our team in collaboration with local partners and allies, capitalising on local knowledge and experience. Through our programs we also often have the opportunity to offer indirect grants to our local partners which are necessary for their growth. Our regranting strategy offers another opportunity to enable local organisations to sustain their ongoing activities and engage in collaborative initiatives. This approach strengthens our relationship with grantees, fosters cooperation among them, elevates the visibility of their work, and enhances their operational capacity—ultimately generating additional revenue that supports their long-term sustainability.
OUR PEOPLE
Our Trustees, Steering Committee (SC), and Advisory Council (AC) work closely with our Team and together, have made CPF what it is today.
The Trustees lead the initiative by directing the strategy, approving budget allocation and trying to broaden the donor base. They are members of the General Meeting of Partners, the CPF’s supreme body according to the Articles of Association, and are entitled to decide on all matters relating to the Association. Most of the trustees are also members of the Steering Committee (SC).
The SC members contribute 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.
Our Team focuses on local engagement, capacity-building and empowerment, grant making and monitoring, fundraising, networking, advocacy, development of new projects and strategic partnerships, reporting and communication. The core team, led by the executive director, is assisted by scientific consultants, project managers, media experts and other professionals, who work with specific tasks for the CPF-led programs. 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 our work on the ground.
In CPF, we have a wide array of backgrounds and interests and we all share a passion for protecting the Cyclades’ and Aegean’s outstanding natural beauty.
Learn how to join the CPF family here!
LOCAL TEAM
ANNI MITROPOULOU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
When the CPF launched in December 2017, Anni joined as the Executive Director, driven by respect and care for the unique natural environment of Cyclades, as well as by the confidence that individuals and communities have the power to bring positive change. She has a scientific background in International Affairs, Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development, and extensive working experience -of 20 years- with Greek and International NGOs and Foundations, in the fields of environmental and cultural management, sustainable development, local engagement, project & event management, advocacy, campaigning, fundraising, communication and human rights. She’s based in Athens and travels regularly across the islands.
Maria Chrissafi
Head of Finance & Human Resources
Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a University degree in Economics and Finance for Business and Organizations Management. She is a freelancer tax consultant. After many years of working in the field of environmental organizations combined with her love for the environment, the sea and the Cyclades, she 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.
Anna Kontoleon
Executive Team Coordinator
Anna works at the intersection of programme coordination, adult learning and cultural education, designing and supporting initiatives that bring structure, meaning and engagement to learning and organisational processes. She started working with CPF in February 2026 as the Executive Team Coordinator to ensure the effectiveness of our programs’ planning and execution, the coordination of internal workflows and liaison with team, partners and key stakeholders, when necessary. Since June 2026, Anna is also the head of environmental education activities in our organisation.
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.
Andriana Theochari
media & production manager
Andriana Theochari is a documentary and impact producer. She works across diverse fields in film and media, focusing on social and environmental issues, and develops creative strategies that extend a film’s life beyond the screen into public discourse, policy, and community action. Since July 2025, she has been working with us for the Revive Our Ocean Greece campaign and in 2026 she additionally undertook the duties of Media & Production manager in the CPF team.
Dorothy Filioti
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.
Anna maria messari
Campaigns & events officer
Anna Maria is a communications and content professional with experience in digital campaigns, events, and visual storytelling. With a background in photography and content creation, she combines creative thinking with strong organizational skills to support communication initiatives and develop engaging narratives. Since February 2026 she works as the Campaigns and Events officer in the CPF team, working on CPF’s communications and campaigns, contributing to creative projects, storytelling, and community engagement around nature and environmental action, and supporting the coordination and organisation of different initiatives.
Ioannis Keramidas
Marine Projects Coordinator
Ioannis holds a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Fisheries Biology, Conservation and Management from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where he also completed his PhD in Ecosystem Modelling and Fisheries Management in 2025. He continues his research through postdoctoral work in EU-funded projects, focusing on ecosystem modelling and fisheries management. Ioannis has published 22 peer-reviewed articles and 30 additional scientific contributions and is a member of the Ecopath International Initiative. Ioannis started working with CPF in April 2025 as the coordinator for the Greek Islands Seagrass Alliance program, also contributing as a scientific consultant for CPF marine initiatives by supporting evidence-based conservation.
VANGELIS PARAVAS
MARINE PROGRAMS CONSULTANT
Vangelis is a trained biologist, specialised in ecology and zoology of endangered marine mammals, as well as a professional nature and wild-life photographer. He has over 20 years of professional experience in research, conservation and protection of marine species and ecosystems, working for nature conservation in various capacities and supporting, among others, public and non-profit entities. He has been in the CPF family with various roles since 2018 and is currently our Scientific Advisor for marine projects and sustainable fisheries.
ELENA SYMEONIDOU
LAND PROGRAMS CONSULTANT
Elena is working in the environmental and agricultural sector in the Cyclades since 2010, focusing on natural resources management and food production. She is actively using the frameworks and toolboxes of Permaculture and Agroecology, in projects ranging from private gardens and farms to public regeneration projects. She facilitates public events and teaches seminars and workshops in diverse audiences. Having lived mostly in Paros island for over a decade, she has studied the fascinating but fragile island ecosystems, has witnessed the effects of climate change, land use change and overtourism on the archipelago and has concentrated her work towards the mitigation and adaptation to these effects. She has been in the CPF family with various roles since 2018 and currently works as our Scientific Advisor and Manager for terrestrial projects.
