The Challenge
Climate change and overconsumption have placed the world’s water resources in a state of crisis. Water scarcity is more intense on small islands, such as Cyclades.
In Kea, residents have witnessed the near-total drying up of the natural springs that once defined the island’s name, “Ydroussa”. As traditional water management structures are abandoned and replaced by high-consumption tourism models – like private swimming pools – the island risks losing millenia-old knowledge of sustainable management. This cultural and environmental decline is accompanied by an explosion of plastic bottle pollution, further straining the island’s fragile ecosystems.
The Solution
The project reconnects Kea’s present needs with its ancestral water wisdom by documenting, mapping, and restoring the island’s vanishing water heritage. Through participatory research and “reconnaissance walks,” the project identifies emblematic public springs and uses them as platforms to advocate for responsible consumption and a reduction in plastic waste.
Established by trustworthy members of the local community following the success of “The Voice of Water” project, LALES NGO aims to inspire a new culture of stewardship for Kea’s springs.
Activities
With the support of the Cyclades Preservation Fund, LALES NGO will:
- Organize community gatherings to map emblematic water structures and record local oral histories.
- Organize hands-on cleaning and minor maintenance for 1-3 public springs to restore their function.
- Launch awareness campaigns like “Save the Water” and “Adopt a Spring” to reduce single-use plastic consumption.
About the Grantees
LALES is a newly established NGO focused on cultural and environmental well-being, established through CPF’s CycladoScope initiative to preserve Kea.
What You Can Do
- When visiting an island with great beaches, choose a residence that adopts water-friendly management techniques.
- Switch to reusable water bottles to directly reduce your plastic footprint.
- Explore Kea’s natural beauty responsibly by visiting traditional water routes and historical springs.
- Support the Cyclades Preservation Fund to make more local initiatives focusing on water possible across the Cyclades and the Aegean.
SDGs
CPF’s grants support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This grant specifically supports:
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The project focuses on the preservation and sustainable management of natural water resources.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Campaigns directly target the reduction of plastic bottle waste through behavior change and advocacy.
