The project concerned the provision of scientific and technical support for the preparation of the nomination of an area as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere (MaB) Programme. It followed an integrated approach, including participatory planning actions, educational activities, communication and outreach initiatives, and scientific documentation, aiming to meet UNESCO requirements and to actively engage the local community.

Main project components:

• Preparation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan and systematic support of participatory processes.
• Design, organization and implementation of consultation activities with local and institutional stakeholders through thematic workshops.
• Design and implementation of information, communication and outreach actions supporting the nomination (printed and digital material, project website).
• Development and pilot implementation of environmental education programs for students.
• Preparation of the documentation study and drafting of the Biosphere Reserve Nomination Form, in accordance with UNESCO guidelines.

The project was initiated by DIMOSYNETAIRISTIKI EVROS S.A., which undertook the coordination and overall organization of the process, within the framework of the Interterritorial Cooperation Scheme “The value of the Biosphere Reserve for the local community”, in cooperation with the municipalities and local stakeholders of the area.

The inclusion of an area in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves takes place within an international framework of high standards. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently comprises 784 Biosphere Reserves in 142 countries worldwide, including 25 transboundary sites. In Greece, four Biosphere Reserves have been designated: Samaria Gorge and Mount Olympus (1981), the Asterousia Mountains (2020), and Mount Parnon and Cape Malea (2025) (data as of 2025).

Related Links:

• Man and the Biosphere Programme
• Biosphere Reserves – Learning Sites for Sustainable Development
• World Network of Biosphere Reserves: 2019-2020

OIKOM Ltd and the Coastal and Marine Research Laboratory of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) are implementing the project titled “Assessment of coastal vulnerability to marine flooding in selected sites of Crete and the Southern Peloponnese”, within the framework of a contract commissioned by the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA).

The project focuses on monitoring shoreline evolution and assessing the vulnerability of the study areas, taking into consideration critical ecological and environmental parameters and criteria. It also aims to identify highly vulnerable areas exhibiting the highest erosion rates and to formulate management guidelines in the form of measures, actions and interventions, based on the site-specific biotic and abiotic conditions, thereby strengthening coastal resilience and ensuring the protection and conservation of coastal protected areas under future climate change scenarios.

The project focuses on six selected coastal areas in Crete and the Peloponnese, which fall under the responsibility of three Management Units of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA): Management Unit of Samaria National Park and the Protected Areas of Western Crete; the Management Unit of Eastern Crete Protected Areas; and the Management Unit of Strofylia Wetlands National Park and Protected Areas of Western Peloponnese. Specifically, the areas include:

1. A coastline of approximately 12 km within the SAC (Special Area of Conservation)/ GR4330004 “PRASSANO FARANGI – PATSOS – SFAKORYAKO REMA – PARALIA RETHYMNOU KAI EKVOLI GEROPOTAMOU, AKR. LIANOS KAVOS – PERIVOLIA”.
2. A coastline of approximately 8 km within the SPA/ GR4310012 “EKVOLI GEROPOTAMOU MESARAS” and the SAC/ GR4310004 “DYTIKA ASTEROUSIA (APO AGIOFARANGO EOS KOKKINO PYRGO)”.
3. A coastline of approximately 1 km within the SAC/ GR4320003 “NISOS CHRYSI”.
4. A coastline of approximately 1.5 km within the SAC/ GR4320006 “VOREIOANATOLIKO AKRO KRITIS: DIONYSADES, ELASA KAI CHERSONISOS SIDERO (AKRA MAVRO MOURI – VAI – AKRA PLAKAS) KAI THALASSIA ZONI”, and within the SPA/ GR4320009 “VOREIOANATOLIKO AKRO KRITIS”.
5. Coastal stretches with a total length of approximately 14 km within the SAC/ GR2550003 “NISOI SAPIENTZA KAI SCHIZA, AKROTIRIO AKRITAS”.
6. Coastal stretches with a total length of approximately 16 km within the SAC/ GR2550004 “LIMNOTHALASSA PYLOU (DIVARI) KAI NISOS SFAKTIRIA, AGIOS DIMITRIOS” and the SPA/ GR2550008 “LIMNOTHALASSA GIALOVAS KAI NISOS SFAKTIRIA”.

The project has a total duration of 24 months and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Environment and Energy through the Operational Programme “Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development”.

The study was conducted within the framework of the project’s inclusion under the Standard Environmental Commitments. The Special Ecological Assessment examines the project’s impacts on the protected features and conservation objectives established for the SAC GR4210004 “Kastellorizo and the islets of Ro and Strongyli and coastal marine zone.”

The study primarily focuses on the protected features of the SAC that require an appropriate assessment, namely the habitat types (Table 3.1) and species (Table 3.2) listed in the Standard Data Form, which correspond to the elements of Annexes I and II of Directive 92/43/EEC. Additionally, and in a complementary manner, the study separately evaluates the presence of other significant flora and fauna elements (e.g., species included in other Directive annexes, species listed in the Red Data Book, etc.).

As part of the study, a field survey was carried out by two experts to record data on habitat types and fauna. Bibliographic data concerning the area were also considered and jointly assessed, including information from national recording programs, Supervision programs, habitat type mapping of the Hellenic Cadastre and other relevant sources.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by the Public Power Corporation S.A.

The Appropriate Assessment/ Special Ecological Assessment for the protected objects of the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) GR2330005 (“Dunes and coastal forest of Zacharo, Lake Kaiafas, Strofylia, Kakovatos”) was prepared as part of the process for issuing a decision approving environmental conditions for the existing facilities of the Kaiafas Hydrotherapy Center in the Municipality of Zacharo, Regional Unit of Ilia.

The Special Ecological Assessment was carried out in accordance with the provisions of Law 4014/2011 and, more specifically, according to Annex 3.2.1, “Specifications for the Special Ecological Assessment for projects and activities located within a Natura 2000 Network area for which no specific protection and management provisions are in place, or where no special conditions apply”, of Ministerial Decision no. 170225 (Government Gazette 135B/27.01.2014) entitled “Specification of the contents of environmental licensing dossiers for Category A projects and activities under Ministerial Decision no. 1958/2012 (B’ 21), as in force, pursuant to Article 11 of Law 4014/2011 (A’ 209), and any other related details.”

The primary objective of the study was to appropriately assess the potential impacts of the existing project under review (facilities and activities) on the protected features and populations listed in Tables 3.1–3.2 of the Standard Data Forms, namely the habitat types and species included in Annexes I–II of Directive 92/43/EEC. The Special Ecological Assessment was based on bibliographic data as well as on fieldwork carried out in 2025, concerning terrestrial fauna species, habitat types, and bats.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by the Hellenic Public Properties Co. (HPPC).

Based on the decision approving environmental conditions (DAEC) obtained by the operational Wind Power Plant VYSIMA, which is located within the SPA GR1240008 (“Mount Voras”) in Florina, a monitoring program of avifauna activity (flight patterns and species abundance) is being implemented in the area of the Wind Power Plant by a expert ornithologist.

Given the characteristics of the area (and the findings of the Special Ecological Assessment), greater emphasis is placed on monitoring the flight patterns of raptor species in proximity to the wind turbines. The field research will include observations from vantage points, recording of passerine species (through line transects), and the search for nesting sites of territorial species.

The project has been assigned to OikoM Ltd by VYSIMA VENTAVEL S.A.

The Special Ecological Assessment for the Special Protection Area (SPA) GR4220028 (“Andros: Central and southern part, surrounding islets and coastal marine zone”) was carried out within the framework of the environmental permitting of an Aggregates Quarry (limestone extraction, crushing and processing unit operation) at the “Amygdalies – Psares” site in the Municipality of Andros.

The SPA area features rugged terrain and a variety of habitats, including important sites for raptor species and species associated with phrygana and steep coastal cliffs. Raptors such as Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) and Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) breed on the island and surrounding islets. Additionally, the rocky coasts and islets of the SPA constitute important nesting areas for the European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), while the SPA also hosts other significant seabirds such as the Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) and the Yelkouan Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan).

The Special Ecological Assessment was also based on field surveys of the avifauna, totaling 22 days.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by S. MARINIS – I. EXADAKTYLOS O.E.

The study included monitoring and assessing the impacts on avifauna and chiropteran fauna from the licensed, constructed, and operational wind farm at the Orfeus/Eptadendros site, located on the borders of the Municipalities of Alexandroupolis and Arriana, in the Regional Units of Evros and Rhodope.

This monitoring and its specific characteristics are provided based on the findings of the Special Ecological Assessment conducted for the project, as well as the decision approving environmental conditions (Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace / Department of Environmental & Spatial Planning).

The program’s characteristics are described in the text of the Integrated Environmental Monitoring Program covering the pre-construction, construction, and operational phases. The Program, among other things, detailed and specified the methodology for continuing monitoring (following the methodology applied in the Special Ecological Assessment) for at least one year pre-construction (before the start of construction works), with continuation during the construction and operation phases, so that the total monitoring period spans four (4) years. Special emphasis was placed on protected bird species (resident, wintering and nocturnal, including night migration) and bats.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by ELTECH ANEMOS S.A.

Avifauna monitoring was carried out during 2018-2020 within the framework of the Decision on the Issuance of Additional Conditions to ensure the integrity of the Natura 2000 protected area “GR2220006: Kefalonia: Ainos, Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros” (SPA) for the project “Existing 2.7 MW Wind Farm at the ‘Evmorfia’ Site in the Regional Unit of Kefalonia by ENERGODYNAMIKI KEFALLINIAS S.A.”

The study focused on the species included in the standard data form for this SPA, as well as other significant species (other Annex I species of Directive 2009/147/EC, Red Book species etc.). Monitoring at the operational wind farm included recording the activity of raptor species near the turbines, as well as systematic investigations of potential mortality at the turbine sites.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by ENERGODYNAMIKI AIOLIKA PARKA KEFALLINIAS S.A.

Based on the location of the wind farm under study (project polygons wholly or partially within the boundaries of the SPA GR1130011 “Filiouris Valley” of the Natura 2000 network), a Special Ecological Assessment (as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment) was prepared in accordance with the Ministerial Decision on project/activity classification. The assessment examines the project’s impacts on the area with respect to the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 site. The Special Ecological Assessment was based on 65 days of field surveys conducted by specialist ornithologists.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by PPC Renewables S.A.

The area designated for the four photovoltaic power plant complexes (Clusters A, B, C, and D) and their associated supporting infrastructure is located within or near the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) GR1420011 “Thessalian plain area” and GR1420012 “Farsala area”, as well as the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) GR062 “Thessalian Plain” and GR063 “Farsala Area.”

The Special Ecological Assessment was based on extensive fieldwork with a total duration of 108 days, including surveys of flight activity for the Lesser Kestrel, nesting surveys of territorial species, line transects for the recording of passerine species and other relevant observations.

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by REN VALOREM HELLAS Ltd.

The study includes the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment and a Special Ecological Assessment for avifauna, in accordance with the applicable regulations, for the wind farms ORI SOULIOU and THESPROTIKA.

Given that the project is located outside but at a relatively close distance from the boundaries of the Natura 2000 network areas, SPA GR2120008 “Paramythia Mountains, Kalamas Gorge and Acheron Gorge”, a preliminary screening determined that it was appropriate to carry out a Special Ecological Assessment and appropriate assessment to examine any potential impacts on the protected features of the aforementioned Natura area. Additionally, an assessment of impacts was conducted for other important species whose presence in the project area is not related to the populations of the SPAs. The Special Ecological Assessments were based on fieldwork carried out during 2021–2022 (51 and 25 field days, respectively, for the two wind farms).

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by GAIACOMM Ltd.

The Environmental Impact Assessment concerns the evaluation of the environmental impacts arising from the construction and operation of a complex of seven (7) Wind Farms in southern Evia, at the locations TRIKORFO (11.5 MW), PLATANOS (11.5 MW), AGIOI TAXIARCHES (18.4 MW), DISTRATA (13.8 MW), RIZA (29.9 MW), LIAPOURTHI (8 MW), and AGIOI APOSTOLOI (9.2 MW), along with their associated supporting infrastructure (road works, electrical interconnection works, construction/auxiliary areas, etc.). The complex consists of 45 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 102.3 MW.

The Special Ecological Assessment & Appropriate Assessment is an annex to the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project and was carried out because parts of the above works are located within or near the Special Area of Conservation (SAC-SCI): “Mount Ochi – Karystos plain – Potami – Cape Kafireas – coastal marine zone” (code GR2420001), the Special Protection Area (SPA): “Mount Ochi, coastal zone and islets” (code GR2420012) of the Natura 2000 Network, and the Important Bird Area (IBA) “Mount Ochi and surrounding marine area” (code GR113).

The Special Ecological Assessments were based on primary data collected through extensive fieldwork carried out for the protected features of the above Natura 2000 sites (74 field days for the SPA and 26 field days for the SAC).

The project was assigned to OikoM Ltd by DMX AIOLIKI MARMARIOU – RIZA SINGLE-MEMBER Ltd.