Project duration: 05/2025 – 11/2025

Status: ON-GOING

The Challenge

The Cyprus native cattle, an integral part of the island’s agricultural heritage, is currently threatened with extinction. Socioeconomic changes, economic globalisation, and industrialisation have led to the abandonment of traditional agricultural systems, resulting in the decline of this unique breed, and thereby leading to a loss of agro-biodiversity. Moreover, and despite its significant genetic, ecological, and cultural value, public awareness about the breed’s importance remains limited.

The Solution

The documentary “The World Shrinks: A Documentary about the Indigenous Cattle Breed of Cyprus” will highlight the historical, cultural, and ecological values of Cyprus’s native cattle. Drawing on research from the project ARETI (Animals REsilient in TIme), the film will explore the breed’s role in Cyprus’s past, present, and future, while bringing to the forefront the main threats these animals are currently facing. The documentary aims to raise awareness, inspire conservation efforts, and advocate for policies supporting biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and farming.

Project Deliverables

1. Public screenings followed by Q&A sessions to promote the dialogue within the audience in the presence of experts.
2. Distribution of the documentary to schools and school visits in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, intending to enrich the curriculum in environmental topics.
3. Collaboration with local artists and engagement of the local community to support conservation efforts.
4. Participation in a big scientific conference that focuses on the Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources
5. Meetings with policymakers to promote legislative changes, introducing better monitoring and management of farm animal genetic resources.

A bit about the Organization

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a world class, non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation. Through its Center of Excellence in Climate and Atmosphere Research (CARE-C), CyI is focused on tackling climate change and the creation of sustainable solutions to address relevant societal challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, by combining research, innovation, and education actions.