The Challenge Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental threats facing the Cycladic islands today. On Kimolos and the surrounding Natura-protected areas, plastic waste—including single-use straws—endangers marine ecosystems, contaminates vital Posidonia meadows, enters the marine food web, and threatens iconic species such as the Caretta caretta turtle and the Mediterranean monk seal. The…
The Challenge Tinos is home to nearly 900 traditional dovecotes, a unique example of Cycladic architecture and cultural heritage. Once central to rural life, providing fertilizer and food while shaping the island’s agricultural economy, many dovecotes today face neglect or abandonment. Without systematic documentation, public awareness, and integration into sustainable rural development, these monuments risk…
The Challenge The Greek islands are a global environmental treasure, renowned for their rich biodiversity, unique landscapes, and deeply rooted cultural traditions. Yet, this invaluable environmental capital is increasingly at risk. Sikinos, one of the Cyclades’ last largely untouched islands, faces growing threats from overtourism, which strains fragile ecosystems, alters local lifestyles, and accelerates habitat…
The Challenge Andros, the Cycladic island that took its name from its many water springs, with a rich history of sustainable water management, is experiencing growing water stress mostly due to climate change, agricultural decline, and rising tourism. Centuries-old spring systems that once supported agriculture, ecosystems, and daily life are being degraded or abandoned, while…
The Challenge Mykonos faces intensifying environmental pressures from overtourism and extractive economic approaches, aggravated by climate change. The island’s terrestrial ecosystems are under strain from human activity, pollution, and seasonal overcrowding, as natural disasters become more frequent. There is an urgent need for education and engagement that connects residents, children, and visitors with Mykonos’ natural…
The Challenge Dry stone walls are central to Cycladic identity and sustainability: they prevent erosion, collect rainwater, stabilize slopes, and create habitats for flora and fauna, recognized by UNESCO as features of Intangible Heritage. However, abandoned agricultural practices and the lack of knowledge sharing between generations threaten their preservation, leading to soil erosion and landscape…
The Challenge Patmos, home of a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its sacred landscapes and spiritual heritage, is increasingly disconnected from its ecological and cultural roots. Vibrant footpaths that once linked monastic, agricultural, and coastal sites have become degraded, overgrown, or lost due to development, abandonment, and the pressures of seasonal tourism. These ancient…
This is the third grant for dry stone workshops, see the previous grants here! The challenge Traditional dry stone structures once enabled the Cyclades communities to build a rich, sustainable environment able to secure the concentration of fertile soil and water retention in order to grow food and cover local needs. Dry stone structures,…
The challenge Islands of Cyclades face increasing environmental threats due to overtourism, waste mismanagement, and climate change. With Sikinos being no exception, one of the last unspoiled islands of Greece is at risk. Immediate measures are needed in order to preserve the biodiversity and the local identity of the island, before its natural environment and…
The challenge The deep connection between the sea and the local communities of the Cyclades is a true heritage treasure strongly linked to the respect of the environment. Yet, traditional small-scale fisheries, maritime heritage, and sustainable practices are fading due to modernization, the economic pressures of profit-driven development, and environmental challenges. The solution CPF…
