As 2025 begins, Digitalparos reflects on a year of milestones in tackling environmental challenges and empowering communities. Building on its Parosweb roots, it now focuses on sustainable tourism, raising awareness, and preserving the Cyclades' unique identity.
Digitalparos is at a turning point in the new year. Born out of the legacy of Parosweb - a pioneering web directory launched in the late 1990s - Digitalparos was initially conceived as a next-generation travel guide, centred around an innovative digital map. However, the evolving challenges and needs of Paros and the Cyclades have shaped its broader mission.
The changing realities of environmental pressures, evolving tourism trends, and societal needs have reshaped its path. Digitalparos now will function not only as a travel guide but also as a platform for investigation, documentation, and advocacy. It addresses the island's most pressing concerns while also working towards a vision for a sustainable future.
Advancing Investigation and Documentation
One of Digitalparos’ defining achievements has been using GIS mapping to expose critical issues such as beach lease violations. These efforts have been instrumental in mobilising local citizens, as seen in the rise of the Paros Citizen’s Movement. In 2025, we aim to broaden this approach to cover other pressing topics, including the rapid urbanisation of landscapes, the shrinking of agricultural land, and the erosion of coastal areas.
We will document the condition of protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites, wetlands, and Posidonia meadows, to raise awareness of environmental degradation. Following the surprising revelations of our Cyclades Pool Count, which underscored the strain on water resources, we plan to identify and map other key features, such as boreholes, old “Katikies” (drystone farmhouses), and the state of traditional walking paths.
The 6-minute video "Overconstruction" highlights the beauty and sustainability of Cycladic architecture, shaped by natural elements and local materials over centuries. It contrasts this heritage with modern issues like over-construction and unsustainable practices, including excessive swimming pools. The narrative stresses the need to preserve the island's identity, reduce building density, and protect natural beauty, warning against the risk of turning Paros into another Mykonos or a suburb of Athens. It advocates for thoughtful planning and community engagement to secure a sustainable future.
Raising Awareness Through Media
Text-based documentation is powerful, but audiovisual storytelling has the potential to resonate even more deeply. In 2025, Digitalparos will focus on producing videos that bring critical issues to light. Through interviews, short films, and a larger documentary project, we aim to inspire reflection and action by illustrating the stark realities and opportunities for change.
Our documentary project aims to highlight the difficult realities faced by the resilient communities of the Cycladic islands as they fight to preserve their heritage and way of life.
Supporting Civil Society
In a developmental landscape increasingly shaped by centralised policies, the interests of local communities often remain overlooked. Digitalparos recognises the importance of raising awareness and empowering civil society to act. By equipping residents with information and tools, we aim to foster a culture of accountability where local representatives are motivated to advocate for their communities at regional and national levels.
Bring to Light the Hidden Heritages of Paros and Antiparos
Tourism in Paros must evolve beyond the narrow focus on beaches, luxury, and a “sun and sea” narrative that threatens the Cycladic minimalist identity. A more sustainable future lies in showcasing the island’s cultural and natural heritage. By highlighting Paros’ and Antiparos’ lesser-known treasures, we hope to attract visitors who are more conscious of their impact and who value the islands’ character and authenticity. This approach not only diversifies tourism but also strengthens efforts to preserve the unique identity of the Cyclades.
Building a Conscious Community
Our work is aimed at building a community of informed residents and visitors who care deeply about Paros and its future. This niche audience, drawn to sustainability and cultural preservation, represents a critical force for change. Digitalparos strives to connect and inspire these individuals to contribute meaningfully to the island’s resilience and prosperity.
The 16-minute video "Confronting Water Waste on Paros" highlights Paros' water crisis, driven by overconsumption, limited rainfall, and water-intensive developments like villas, pools and gardens. It emphasises sustainable practices such as using endemic plants, rainwater harvesting, and reducing groundwater use to prevent desertification and balance development with the island’s scarce resources.
As we embark on this journey, we invite everyone—residents and visitors alike—to join us in building a sustainable and vibrant future for Paros. Together, we can protect and celebrate the unique spirit of the Cyclades.
