We Thought, Discussed and Reimagined Together
Thank you to everyone whose ideas, efforts, and participation helped make
CiviCon 2025 a living commons

In the heart of Nicosia, across two days beginning at the historic Bedesten and extending to the Naci Talat Foundation, Rüstem’s Bookstore, and the Ledra Palace, civil society actors, academics, activists, and students came together to reimagine civic space, reclaim truth, and reinvent the commons through CiviCon 2025. CiviCon 2025 was organised by Civic Space, funded by the European Union’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Held on 31 October – 1 November 2025, CiviCon featured 10 speakers opening new conceptual horizons and 10 parallel sessions that deepened discussions through the contributions of local civil society organisations.

Participation & Collective Effort

More than 150 participants joined CiviCon; 11 civil society organisations led parallel sessions, and 14 civil society organisations showcased their work at Civil Society Stands to showcase their work and achievements to the public.

CiviCon took shape thanks to the efforts of three moderators, ten rapporteurs, ten parallel-session buddies, twenty-one volunteers, over twenty service providers, and more than forty behind-the-scenes contributors, which made CiviCon a collective endeavour that embodies the spirit of the commons.

Themes & Conversations

Throughout CiviCon, participants reflected deeply on the meaning of commoning. Conversations unfolded around invisible ecologies and the rebuilding of civic infrastructures, reclaiming truth as a common good in an age of misinformation, democratic backsliding, and illiberal movements. Participants also addressed anti-gender politics in Cyprus and the forms of resistance emerging in response. Together, these reflections connected theory and practice, bringing together conceptual frameworks with lived experience.

Keynote Speakers

CiviCon welcomed two distinguished keynote speakers:

• Prof. Craig Calhoun – Arizona State University
• Prof. Donatella della Porta – Scuola Normale Superiore

Their contributions offered vital perspectives on social movements, solidarities, democratic renewal, and reclaiming truth.

Panel Speakers

Three thematic plenary sessions on commoning, reclaiming truth as a common good, and democratic backsliding and resistance alternatives featured:

• Prof. Tine de Moor
• Mete Hatay
• Dr. José Ramos
• Prof. Saul Newman
• Prof. Martijn de Waal
• Prof. Cristina Flesher Fominaya
• Dr. Nayia Kamenou

Their insights created an intersection between academic research and civic practice.

Civil Society Organisations that were present with booths

1. Afri-Art Connect
    
2. Candela Robotic
    
3. Chamber of Environmental Engineers
    
4. Cyprus Autism Association
    
5. Cyprus Turkish Dietitians Association
    
6. Famagusta Walled City Association (MASDER)
    
7. Green Action Group
    
8. Kyrenia Working Women’s Cooperative
    
9. Lefke Youth Association
    
10. Queer Cyprus Association
     
11. Sonare Polyphonic Choirs Association
     
12. Sütlüce Solidarity and Activity Association (SÜDAD)
     
13. Universal Patient Rights Association
     
14. Youth Federation              

CSOs who led parallel sessions

Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR)

Civil Society Development Centre Association (STGM)

Civil Society Initiative Association (SİTİ)

Cyprus Vegan Initiative

Human Rights Platform (HRP)

Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS)

Queer Cyprus Association

The Shelter / Student’s Refuge & VOIS Cyprus

United Youth of Cyprus

Universal Patient’s Rights Association

A Commons for Civic Imagination

We deeply appreciate everyone who contributed with their efforts, knowledge, imagination, and participation.

CiviCon was not simply a conference; it was a commons activated through plenary discussions, parallel sessions, collective reflection, and encounters, designed to reconceptualise civic space together.

CiviCon 2025 is not an end, but a beginning of renewed commitment to reinventing commons, reclaiming truth and a future grounded in dignity, equality, and peace. Together, we will continue to rethink and co-create civic spaces.

Stay Connected

We will soon share highlights from plenaries, insights from parallel sessions, and reflections on the key debates.

Stay tuned to continue this journey of collective thinking and commoning with us.
CiviCon 2025 was organised by Civic Space, funded by the European Union’s Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community.