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 losing their role as living heritage. At the same time, the lack of accessible information reduces their potential to contribute to quality tourism and the island’s agrifood identity.
The Solution
With CPF’s support, the project DOVECOTES (Dovecotes Of hidden Values and potEntial for Cyclades’ wellbeing) will create a web-GIS interactive platform to map and showcase the dovecotes of Tinos. This digital tool will combine geospatial and cultural data, highlight best practices, and present dovecotes as symbols of agri-environmental sustainability.
Activities
To make the platform possible, the project team will employ staff expertise, use drone technology for aerial mapping, and gather information for upload and visualization. The initiative will conclude with a public event in September 2025 to present the platform, raise awareness, and engage the community in valuing and protecting these landmarks.
With CPF support, the grantee will:
- Develop the web-GIS platform to host data on approximately 900 dovecotes.
- Carry out drone-assisted fieldwork and digital/analog recording of dovecotes.
- Collect, analyze, and upload geospatial and cultural data on the platform.
- Document best practices that connect dovecotes with agri-environmental sustainability.
- Organize a promotional and community event in September 2025 to present the results and strengthen local engagement.
About the Grantee
KOINONO Gathering is a multidimensional cultural organization based in Tinos since 2016, organizing site-specific visual arts exhibitions, open workshops, music and theater performances, research projects, and interactive tours of both the island’s natural environment and selected buildings of historical or architectural significance.
What You Can Do
- Learn more about Dovecotes in Tinos and Cyclades visiting the website of the initiative.
- Support the Cyclades Preservation Fund to make more initiatives like this possible across the islands.
CPF’s grants support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This grant supports:
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities By preserving and promoting dovecotes as part of Tinos’ cultural identity, the project strengthens community pride and sustainable tourism.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Through best practices linking dovecotes to agri-environmental sustainability, the project encourages resource-efficient traditions.
SDG 15: Life on Land By integrating dovecotes into sustainable rural development, the project helps protect landscapes and biodiversity.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals The project fosters collaboration between researchers, communities, and funders, creating a model that can be replicated across the Cyclades.
