On Wednesday December 5 2007, the USAID-funded Resource Efficiency Achievement Project (REAP) organized a stakeholders workshop at the Californian Restaurant to discuss “The Development of an Energy Professional’s Association.” Approximately 60 participants attended the workshop from various divisions of the energy sector. The aim of the workshop was to establish an energy efficiency market in the Turkish Cypriot Community.

From among the participants, local energy experts and specialists, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), alternative energy dealers, academicians, architects and engineers all contributed to the discussions on the establishment of the association with their rich ideas. At the end of the discussion, the participants all agreed that such an establishment of such an association is vital.

The first part of the workshop concentrated on presentations such as “Overview of Effective Associations and Available Resources” by Lois Varrick from Core International who discussed the top ten reasons associations are formed” and gave examples of associations. In the second part of the workshop, participants worked on developing a mission statement, agreeing on formal name and discussing the key services of the Association.

Resource Efficiency Achievement Project (REAP) is dedicated to helping businesses become more profitable by increasing energy efficiency, enhancing environmental management, upgrading facility operations and improving equipment performance. REAP is funded by USAID and implemented by Core International.