Rewildfires
Spreading Resilience
In the wake of escalating wildfire threats, exacerbated by climate change and human activities, the “Rewildfires: spreading resilience” project seeks to create cross-border collaborations between Sicilian, Apulian, and Greek Bosch Alumni Network (BAN) members. Building on the successful model implemented in Sicily, in 2022, our aim is to expand our efforts to encompass diverse regional landscapes and community dynamics.
The project is a collaboration among Collettivo Rewild Sicily, born after the 2022 Rewildfires project; QG Enviro, an apulian organisation active in agroecology and environmental awareness; La CapaGrossa, a coworking space in Ruvo di Puglia; and Peripatos from Greece, focusing on the region of Mount Penteli. This initiative is further supported by contributions from additional BAN members based in Greece, Germany, Slovenia, and the United States.
The project, funded by the iac Berlin, consists of:
- online meetings among participants, as well as invited experts, to exchange insights, expertise, and best practices;
- a regional preliminary and secondary research, exploring the complex interplay among communities, landscapes, wildfires, and ecosystems across the targeted regions;
- and a physical meeting in Apulia region (October 2024), designed as a space for synthesising findings, refining strategies, and co-creating actionable solutions, tailored to the unique characteristics of each region.
Central to our approach is the integration of diverse perspectives, ranging from holders of traditional knowledge to scientific researchers, policymakers, and local residents. We believe that transformative change, through collaborative learning, capacity building and advocacy, can act as a catalyst in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for the landscapes and communities of Southern Europe.
As Peripatos, we undertook the study in the region of Mount Penteli. The main findings are summarised as follows:
- Ecological significance: Mount Penteli, a peri-urban natural refuge near Athens, Greece, hosts rich biodiversity and retains crucial ecological value for the entire Attica region.
- Wildfire history: Since 1981, the mountain has been affected by 14 major wildfires, with the most destructives occurring in 1995, 2009, 2018, and 2024. These fires have caused extensive environmental damage and human losses.
- Causes of wildfires:
- Climate change increases wildfire risks through prolonged droughts and higher temperatures.
- Governance failures include illegal construction, poor urban planning, underfunded firefighting resources, and inadequate prevention measures.
- Impact:
- Environmental: Loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, increased carbon emissions, and altered water cycles.
- Social: Emotional trauma, property losses, and declining quality of life.
- Economic: High costs of restoration and recovery.
- Society:
- Low awareness around wildfire prevention and limited trust in existing structures and preventive measures.
- Limited collaboration between communities and authorities.
- Governance challenges:
- Lack of coordination, sufficient funding, and clear policies.
- Overuse of emergency evacuation alerts, sometimes at the expense of practical fire management efforts.
So, what can we do?
- Prevention and Management:
- Improve urban planning, fire-resistant reforestation, and strengthen collaboration among all involved stakeholders.
- Enhance early-warning systems and allocate resources more effectively.
- Local Community Engagement:
- Provide education and training to raise public awareness and encourage active participation in prevention efforts.
- Establish organised volunteer groups and build long-term partnerships with local authorities.
- Next Steps:
- Conduct in-depth studies and launch broader public engagement initiatives.
- Host organised activities on the mountain to highlight its ecological value and reinforce protective measures.
Concluding, the findings emphasise that protecting Mount Penteli requires a combination of policy reforms, community involvement, and targeted environmental strategies.
Want to learn more?
You can read the full Case Study of Penteli.
Even better – if you want to be part of the change, let’s join forces for the next steps and future actions.
