Landmark Commitment for Stone MicroDams: Traditional Practice Institutionalized

A clear step towards the institutionalization and funding of stone microdams was marked by the recent event “Stone microdams in ephemeral island streams,” co-organized by the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA) in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy, of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The State, through the General Secretariat, submitted its intention to proceed with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with Civil Society Organizations. The purpose is to establish a legal framework and roadmap to enable the inclusion of the traditional practice of stone microdams in projects and local strategies, paving the way for their widespread application and funding on the islands within the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034.

“Boulouki” participated in the workshop as a collaborator and presenter, making specific proposals for promoting the practice of microdam construction through the implementation of additional educational programs and the creation of technical specifications and guidelines for the implementation of related projects. In this context, we presented the evolution of our actions and initiatives for the reconstruction of the traditional technique of micro-dam construction in ephemeral streams. Starting from the first experiential workshop in Paros (2022), and a professional apprenticeship in Sifnos, training more than 20 people. 2025 was marked by the first technical training program for municipal technical staff in Ios, which led to the creation of educational material that will soon be available on our website.

As the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Man (MedINA) emphasizes, in an era of increasing pressures on island ecosystems, the utilization of traditional knowledge, combined with modern science, can offer effective solutions that enhance the resilience of landscapes and local communities.