​Professional Apprenticeship on the traditional practice of water management with micro-dams in Taxiarchis and Choni stream, on Sifnos Island

 

In places where water was a scarce commune, communities used a variety of practices to address the problem of water scarcity. One of the traditional water management practices that is lost over time is the small-scale dams along the periodic flow streams.

The purpose of these small low-height dams was initially to collect small amounts of water for irrigation. However, in front of the challenges of climate change and the anthropogenic pressures, small dams perform three additional functions for the nature and human environment:
- By reducing the flow rate of water and keeping part of it, a better penetration into the ground is achieved, enriching in this way the underground aquifer.
- During periods of heavy rainfall, they retain significant amounts of water and sediments, reducing in this way the risk of flooding in the settlements that are usually located in the coastal area, at the mouth of the streams.
- They are places of biodiversity: the created shallow water reservoirs are small oases for arid island ecosystems, being suitable habitats for many species of flora and fauna, especially during periods of drought.

MICRODAMS are implemented within the context of the CARDIMED (Climate Adaptation and Resilience Demonstrated In the MEDiterranean region)  project which aims to strengthen resilience to climate change in the Mediterranean and includes, among other activities, the construction of a network of 120 small-scale stone-built weirs through a professional apprenticeship programme for young craftspeople in the streams of Taxiarchis and Choni in Sifnos. 

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The CARDIMED project is funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe 2021-2027. The lead partner is the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens and Boulouki collaborates with MedINA, which is one of the 53 implementing partners of the project.

Apprenticeship for young craftspeople: 19 May - 06 June 2025

The 3-week apprenticeship program is addressed to nine (9) young professional craftspeople, who will work under the guidance of experienced trainers. During the apprenticeship, 120 stone-built weirs will be constructed along the Taxiarchis and the Choni stream in Sifnos. 

The apprentices will be provided with:

• Accommodation in Sifnos

• food (one meal per working day) 

• wage of EUR 50/day, as well as relevant insurance

 

The criteria on which the selection of the candidate apprentices will be based can be described as follows:

Age: The call is open to candidates up to 45 years old.

Experience & motivation to participate: Working experience with dry-stone building and traditional crafts will be positively considered.

Locality: The call is addressed to craftspeople from all over Greece, however priority will be given to applicants from Sifnos and Cyclades.

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The program includes:

15 days of paid work (8 hours Monday to Friday) on a landscape restoration project and more particularly on the construction of stone-built weirs.

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Important information and dates

Available positions: 9 
Application deadline: 4 May 2025
Notification of acceptance: by 7 May 2025
Apprenticeship duration: 19 May - 6 June 2025
Location: Sifnos, Cyclades, Greece

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Wage and benefits
50 EUR/day + insurance, accommodation and half-board

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​Apply here for the apprenticeship

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​Information
email: workshop@boulouki.org
ph: 211 1828348
 

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