11 May 2025, By Laona Foundation
Wildfires know no boundaries. In mere hours, they turn lush forests, homes, and livelihoods into ashes. But recovery takes years—sometimes, entire communities struggle to rebuild. This is where PyrAnakampsi – Alevlerden Geleceğe (“Fire Recovery”) was part of these efforts. Led by the Laona Foundation and supported by the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021, this initiative empowered fire-affected communities, fostering resilience and sustainable regeneration.
The fires that left scars
In July 2021, a devastating wildfire in rural Larnaca burned 55 km² of land, destroying 347 buildings and claiming four lives. Agricultural land was wiped out, forests vanished, and wildlife suffered immensely. But this was just one of many fires threatening Cyprus. Climate change and shifting land-use patterns have increased wildfire risks, demanding urgent action.
In May 2020, a destructive wildfire broke out in the Kyrenia district, the largest in the region since 1995, scorching 30 km² of forest land. Just two years later, in June 2022, another wildfire near Kantara forced evacuations as strong winds fueled its spread, consuming 12 km² of land.
The scale and frequency of these fires underscored the urgent need for long-term prevention and community-led recovery efforts.
A community-centered response
PyrAnakampsi – Alevlerden Geleceğe wasn’t just about replanting trees—it was about rebuilding the social fabric of fire-stricken communities. The project empowered civil society and local stakeholders to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities, laying a foundation for sustainable recovery.
Key actions included:
- Workshops and community discussions: Engaging locals in discussions on fire prevention and the restoration process they envision.
- Hands-on training: Teaching traditional methods like dry-stone walls and best practices in tree planting to prevent soil erosion and protect biodiversity.
- SWOT analysis sessions: Helping community members assess their community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to enhance resilience.
By fostering open and collaborative discussions, the initiative ensured that proposed solutions were tailored to the specific needs of each affected area.
Restoring the land and Cultural heritage
Environmental restoration was a key pillar of the project. Beyond planting over 370 drought-resistant native trees, the initiative revived traditional landscape management techniques to create a landscape more resilient to future wildfires.
Restoration approaches:
- Dry-stone walls: An ancient agricultural technique that reduces soil erosion and protects biodiversity.
- Greening fire-affected communities: Planting native species adapted to Cyprus’s dry climate to ensure long-term survival.
- Community awareness and planning: Engaging residents in SWOT analysis sessions to help them visualize a path towards sustainable development of their community.
Bi-communal cooperation: Our environment is a shared responsibility
Environmental crises affect everyone on the island – wildfire recovery requires collaboration. One of the most inspiring aspects of PyrAnakampsi – Alevlerden Geleceğe was its bi-communal cooperation. Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots came together, working side by side. This cooperation demonstrated that protecting the environment is a unifying force.
Project Partners:
- Laona Foundation for the Conservation and Regeneration of the Cypriot Countryside.
- Cyprus Environmental Initiative (CEI) – An informal Turkish Cypriot environmental group.
- Phoenix Association – Founded three days after the devastating wildfire of July 2021, actively working in the mountainous areas of Limassol and Larnaca affected by fires.
- 300,000 Trees in Limassol – A volunteer-led tree-planting group.
A legacy of resilience
Although the project has concluded, its impact continues:
- Trees were planted, and dry-stone walls were restored and built.
- The knowledge shared, the discussions held, and the opportunity for communities to gather and plan for their future remain invaluable tools for their ongoing resilience.
The next step? A new initiative focusing on training community volunteers in fire prevention and mitigation.
Award-winning environmental action
In recognition of its impact, PyrAnakampsi – Alevlerden Geleceğe received the ‘Best Environmental Project 2024’ award from Environment for Cyprus at the Cyprus Environment Symposium in December 2024.
This award highlights the project’s dedication to environmental restoration, community strengthening, and bi-communal cooperation to protect the island’s natural beauty.
The fight against wildfires doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished.
It continues in the communities rebuilding their landscapes.
It lives on in every tree planted and every lesson learned.
Let’s continue working together to restore what was lost and ensure a greener future for Cyprus.
Laona Foundation
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