With a great participation and significant interest from the public, the event “Revitalizing Traditional Knowledge: Dry-Stone Check Dams and Sustainable Water Management in Sifnos” was held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Sifnos Cultural Center “Marianthi Simou”, organized by MedINA under the auspices of the Municipality of Sifnos.
In a warm atmosphere, MedINA presented its initiative to reintroduce in Sifnos the traditional practice of dry-stone check dams, as a Nature-based Solution (NBS) to address the pressing water management challenges posed by climate change. The event was honored by the presence of the Mayor of Sifnos, Ms. Maria Nadali, who delivered a greeting, emphasizing the gentle and environmentally friendly nature of the intervention, as well as the significant environmental and social benefits expected from its implementation for the resilience of island ecosystems.
In the coming period, 120 dry-stone check dams are planned to be constructed on Sifnos, accross the Taxiarchis Skafis stream and the Chonis stream. During the event, MedINA presented the detailed site planning study for the dry-stone check dams, as well as the project’s optimal design approach, achieved through comprehensive field surveys and the use of drone technology. Additionally, possible benefits of constructing the dry-stone check dams for the environment and agricultural production on the island were presented – including aquifer recharge, flood and draught risk mitigation, improved irrigation capacity, and enhanced habitat conditions for local biodiversity.
The team “Boulouki – Itinerant Workshop on Traditional Building Techniques” which is responsible for the technical implementation of the project, showcased best practices from similar projects applied in streams on Ios and Paros islands, offering valuable experience from the application of traditional construction methods.
The event concluded with an engaging discussion, highlighting the local community’s genuine interest in the upcoming construction. Participants had the opportunity to explore how the project could contribute to the island’s sustainability, with a focus on the importance of preserving and highlighting the dry-stone check dams, not only as an environmental management tool, but also as a cultural landscape. Moreover, the educational aspect of the intervention was emphasized, as an opportunity for the students of Sifnos to learn firsthand about traditional building techniques and values. Finally, the need for funding projects like this was underlined, especially in areas impacted by the consequences of the climate crisis.
The event was part of the CARDIMED project.
The CARDIMED (Climate Adaptation and Resilience Demonstrated in the MEDiterranean region) project, with a total budget of 19,971,411.20 euros, is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe 2021-2027. The lead partner is the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens and MedINA is one of the 53 implementing partners.