Frederick University proudly announces that LIFE-KEDROS, a European project in which it participated, won the LIFE Award in the LIFE Nature category

The LIFE-KEDROS project stood out amongst 116 outstanding and innovative environmental projects which were completed in 2021 throughout Europe and were funded by the Europeean Commission’s LIFE Programme. The 30-year old Programme is highly competitive and constitutes the main financing method of the European Union for the environment. The project is highlighted as an example of best practice that can also be used in other countries.

The LIFE awards highlight the most innovative and efficient projects funded by LIFE Programme, in three categories: Nature, Environment and Climate Change. The winners are chosen by a committee of specialists. This year’s awards were presented on May 30th 2022 during a ceremony in the presence of the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius, and within the framework of this year’s EU Green Week.

The LIFE-KEDROS project was implemented during the period 2016-2021 by the Department of Forests (Coordinator), Frederick University via the Nature Conservation Unit, and the Cyprus Forest Association. Researchers at Frederick University with expertise in the fields of the protection and management of nature, members of the academic staff in the subject areas of sociology and economics and administrative staff with specialisation in the financial management of research projects, all contributed in the successful implementation of the project.

The total project budget was 1.413.304 euros, of which 968.330 euros (68,6% of its total eligible budget) were co-funded by EU. The project aimed towards the sustainable conservation management and protection of the Cedrus Brevifolia (Cyprus Cedar) forest which is endemic to Cyprus. The Cyprus Cedar is only to be found in the peaks of the Pafos Forest and nowhere else in the world.

The LIFE-KEDROS project stood out in the LIFE Nature category, since it adopted innovative conservation actions that resulted to the expansion of the habitat within the project site. According to the awards’ rationale, the LIFE-KEDROS project adhered to the instructions of the EU for the habitats and the EU Strategy for Biodiversity 2020-2030. As is significantly mentioned by Ms Antonella Battaglini, member of the Panel, “this work can be extended to the EU and even further”.

Under the LIFE-KEDROS project, specific conservation actions were adopted to enhance the habitat’s resilience, based on the very dynamics of nature and on the environmental balance of the ecosystem. Specifically, measures were taken against the climate crisis, for the reduction of fire danger and the possibility of habitat loss, for the restoration and expansion of the habitat, and for the support of its natural rebirth. Additionally, actions were taken for raising public awareness, as well as the scientific community regarding the habitat and the Cedar of Cyprus, one out of only four types of cedar in the world.

“We are especially happy for this award. It’s an honour for Cyprus, our University and our partners who worked towards the implementation of the project, coordinated by the Department of Forests. The LIFE Award reflects the high scientific level for nature conservation, the ability of successfully managing European competitive programmes, but also the spirit of cooperation that exists in the scientific community of the University with bodies and groups in society, for the public good” commented the Project manager Dr Nikolas-George Eliadis, member of the Nature Conservation Unit of Frederick University.