Greece launches €86 million forest restoration plan for Evros region

Three years after the 2023 wildfire, the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy is implementing an €86 million program to restore burned forests in the Evros region and Samothrace. The plan allocates €61 million for restoration work and €25 million for prevention measures. Projects include anti‑erosion works (over €10 million, already completed), anti‑flood works (€48.7 million, in the final stage) to protect settlements, infrastructure and farmland, and the "Antinero" prevention scheme (€25 million) for forest cleaning, fire‑break creation and road upgrades for fire‑fighting access. Active reforestation efforts have planted 54,172 seedlings across 1,146 ha of the Daïa National Park in cooperation with WWF Greece and the Thrakian Biodiversity Protection Society. The raptor population in Daïa has recovered, and a new raptor observatory has opened for public visits. A three‑day field inspection by ministry officials, led by General Director of Forests and Forest Environment Eugène Gkoudoúfa, took place from 5–7 July 2026 to assess progress and remaining needs.