The Med-RESET project has come to a close, leaving behind significant outcomes, including a short documentary film.
The aim of Med-RESET was to revive the traditional practice of constructing stone-built weirs in ephemeral streams located in arid regions. The project focused on the Mavroudis stream on the island of Ios, where 50 stone-built weirs were constructed. Community participation was a central objective of the project, and the young people of the island naturally played an important role in its activities.
The documentary, titled SOUVALES, was created by students of Valeteio Junior High School of Ios under the guidance of filmmaker Joachim Jung. A group of 20 teenagers from the school’s environmental team first learned about the history and importance of stone-built weirs and then attended documentary filmmaking workshops. After completing the educational activities, the students finalized the film’s script and structure, and immediately moved into production. In November 2024, they visited the Mavroudis stream during the construction of the stone-built weirs, spoke with the craftsmen, conducted interviews, and documented the work through their camera lenses.
The film had its official premiere in March 2026 at the Papapetrou Hall of the Municipality of Ios, attended by members of the local community, the Med-RESET project team, the educators who supported the initiative in collaboration with Valeteio Junior High School, filmmaker Joachim Jung, and Mayor Gkikas Gkikas, who enthusiastically opened the event. At the premiere, the young creators shared their perspective on the final result, expressing their pride that their film would help spread awareness of a traditional practice deeply rooted in their island’s heritage. As they aptly state at the beginning of the documentary, “It is time for the world to learn that Ios is not only a party island, but much more than that.
Watch the full documentary here (English subtitles available as Closed Captions):
The project Med-RESET benefits from the support of the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE). The project is co-funded by the Municipality of Ios and implemented under the coordination of MedINA in collaboration with Boulouki, Save Ios and WWF Hellas.