Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus

Date of latest update: 2025-10-02

Description

Description (EN):

This project promotes the knowledge of the nutritional value of Mediterranean indigenous edible plants and highlights the role of conscious nutrition in preserving ecosystems and biodiversity. Initiated by the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Departments of Nutrition, Agriculture, and Social Work), in collaboration with the Cyprus University of Technology, the South Aegean Region, and the Laona Foundation, the project addresses the lack of documentation on indigenous vegetables and fruits in the cross-border area. As nutritional insecurity rises due to climate change and population growth, the project aims to document and conserve these plant species, safeguarding biodiversity and supporting local economies. Key partners—the South Aegean Region and Laona Foundation—will mobilize local populations and disseminate results at multiple levels. The approach is threefold: academic collaboration (HMU, CUT), local governance (South Aegean), and community engagement (Laona Foundation). In Crete, the South Aegean, and Cyprus, many indigenous plants are integral to traditional diets but face threats from overharvesting, human activity, and natural disasters. Given shared challenges, a unified strategy following international practices is vital. Target groups include local communities, researchers, and authorities, all benefiting from awareness actions and educational initiatives. The project emphasizes ex situ conservation, cultivation, and use of indigenous plants in urban gardens, promoting environmental sustainability and reinforcing Mediterranean dietary identity. Raising awareness—especially among farmers, youth, and residents—is essential to protect these species. The project sets the foundation for a cross-border policy to prevent loss of indigenous flora, ensuring long-term impact beyond its duration.

Thematic information

Health and social services Climate change and biodiversity Community integration and common identity

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: ΕΙΔΙΚΟΣ ΛΟΓΑΡΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΚΟΝΔΥΛΙΩΝ ΕΡΕΥΝΑΣ (ΕΛΚΕ) ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ ΜΕΣΟΓΕΙΑΚΟΥ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟΥ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 1020247

Address: IRAKLIO, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΛΑΟΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΒΙΩΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΉΣ ΥΠΑΙΘΡΟΥ

Name: ΙΔΡΥΜΑ ΛΑΟΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΑΝΑΒΙΩΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΉΣ ΥΠΑΙΘΡΟΥ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 997132716

Address: LIMASSOL, Cyprus

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

ΤΕΧΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

Name: ΤΕΧΝΟΛΟΓΙΚΟ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 91100023

Address: ΛΕΜΕΣΟΣ, Cyprus

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑ ΝΟΤΙΟΥ ΑΙΓΑΙΟΥ

Name: ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑ ΝΟΤΙΟΥ ΑΙΓΑΙΟΥ

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 2010012

Address: ΣΥΡΟΣ, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

LAONA FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSERVATION AND REGENERATION OF THE CYPRIOT COUNTRYSIDE

Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Partners and Projects info

Cyprus University of Technology

Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Partners and Projects info

REGION OF SOUTH AEGEAN

Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Partners and Projects info

HELLENIC MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY SPECIFIC ACCOUNT FOR RESEARCH AND FUNDS

Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Project acronym: ΑΕΝαΟΝ

Project ID: 6006370

Project start date: 2025-01-01

Project end date: 2026-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 558 363.77

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 246 691.02

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2025-10

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

22 / 22 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

93 / 93 (100%)

Notes on the data

Data provided by the programme on 2025-08-12 and information supplemented by the programme on 2025-07-10.

Languages

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Indigenous edible plant species as determinants of biodiversity, local ecological knowledge and consciousness of a health-promoting food culture

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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