On Monday, June 15, 2026, at a ceremony held at Rhodes City Hall, Nova delivered the Civil Protection system “Smart Forest Rhodes,” an advanced digital infrastructure that enhances the prevention, monitoring, and management of environmental risks in one of the country’s most important areas of environmental interest.
According to the relevant announcement, the project was developed in the Valley of the Butterflies, which is part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, IoT applications, and digital monitoring tools, it offers a comprehensive monitoring and early-warning framework, contributing to more effective protection of the ecosystem and the conservation of the region’s unique biodiversity.
The initiative was implemented as part of Nova’s corporate social responsibility program aimed at restoring and strengthening the resilience of areas affected by natural disasters, as well as providing protection through the use of technology.
Following the restoration projects it carried out in Evros, Rhodes, and Penteli, with “Smart Forest Rhodes,” Nova highlights the potential to transition from a reactive to a proactive civil protection model, in which technology plays a catalytic role.
“Smart Forest Rhodes” is already fully operational, supporting the work of the Municipality of Rhodes, the relevant agencies, civil protection officials, and volunteers.
The handover ceremony took place in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, local government, and Civil Protection agencies in Rhodes, reaffirming the importance of public-private sector collaboration in protecting the country’s natural capital.
Nova’s Corporate Affairs Executive Director, Martha Kesissoglou, emphasized: “For all of us at Nova, ‘Smart Forest Rhodes’ is a landmark project, as it embodies in practice the transition from restoration to prevention. Our experience with restoration efforts in areas affected by natural disasters—such as Dadia, Rhodes, and Penteli—has further highlighted the need for timely action, collaboration, and the use of technology.
We are particularly proud that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Municipality of Rhodes, and the South Aegean Region, we are donating an ICT solution that provides substantial support to Civil Protection and the local community. “This initiative embodies the practical connection between our business activities and social value, as well as our commitment to the environment and future generations.”
The Mayor of Rhodes, Alexandros Koliadis, stated: “The summer of 2023 is a deep wound that we all carry with us. It left its mark on us and harshly reminded us of how important prevention is. Today, with the ‘Smart Forest Rhodes’ project, we are taking a major step forward by placing artificial intelligence, thermal cameras, and digital surveillance at the forefront of prevention and protection. We are acquiring tools that allow us to identify risks early on and respond more promptly and effectively. The Valley of the Butterflies is a unique area and an integral part of Rhodes’ identity, home to a distinctive global ecosystem. Protecting it is a paramount duty for all of us.
This system truly comes into its own through the efforts of frontline workers, Civil Protection officials, and our volunteers. Volunteers keep the island going through every difficult moment, and their contribution is invaluable. The same goes for the mobilization of local organizations and the community of Rhodes. “Smart Forest Rhodes” became a reality thanks to the power of collaboration. We thank Nova for investing in the resilience of our island by providing a state-of-the-art prevention and monitoring system.
At the same time, the presence of the Secretary General and the Director General of Forests from the Ministry of Environment and Energy underscores the importance of this project and our close collaboration with the central government to safeguard the natural wealth of our island of Rhodes. This advanced system, which has been installed in the Valley of the Butterflies and is already operational, serves as a model for the future. Our goal is to expand the network to other critical areas of our island. We are moving forward with a plan, consistency, and systematic work to give Rhodes and its people the security and future they deserve.”
Stathis Stathopoulos, Secretary General for Forests at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, stated: “It was a pleasure to visit Rhodes to express my gratitude, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and Energy and Minister Papastavrou, first to Nova for designing and installing the smart fire prevention and management system here in the Valley of the Butterflies, and secondly, the South Aegean Region, the Municipality of Rhodes, and personally Regional Governor G. Hatzimarkos and Mayor Koliadis for their coordination and assistance.
This is a remarkable effort utilizing artificial intelligence tools for the early prediction of wildfires and timely intervention to combat them—two elements that lie at the “core” of this private initiative, “Smart Forest Rhodes – ENGAGE AFD,” in a critical, environmentally significant, protected area of the Natura 2000 network.
It is extremely important that we have new technologies at our disposal and are utilizing them to achieve this challenging goal. The climate crisis demands that we intensify preventive initiatives to protect the natural environment and preserve biodiversity—such as this one, as well as numerous other initiatives we are undertaking at the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Notable examples include the AntiNero programs, which are currently in full swing in various regions of the country and focus on the creation of mixed firebreak zones, the initiative, funded with 30 million euros from the Green Fund, to create 10-meter-wide firebreaks around settlements located within or near forests and forested areas at high risk of wildfires, the introduction of new specifications for the preparation of forest management studies, among other measures. Once again, our heartfelt thanks!”
Evangelos Gkountoufas, Director General of Forests and Forest Areas at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, noted: “Our collaboration with Nova in recent years has addressed various but interrelated aspects of forest policy with exceptional results. Starting with restoration projects in critical and iconic forest ecosystems that had been damaged by wildfires, such as in Dadia, Evros, Rhodes, and Penteli, we are now implementing innovative prevention measures in collaboration with local authorities.
Experience in recent years has shown that the effective protection of the natural environment requires investment in prevention, with an emphasis on the active management of our forests, using modern technologies and strong partnerships.
It requires us to move beyond piecemeal interventions and adopt integrated sustainable management, including early risk detection, rapid response, coordinated suppression, and effective restoration where needed. Once again, I would like to thank Nova for its confidence in this approach, which it is putting into practice yet again.”
Alexandros Bregiannis, CEO of Nova ICT, the project contractor, emphasized: “Technology has real value when it contributes to the protection of human life and the environment. By delivering the system to the Municipality of Rhodes, we aim to strengthen efforts to prevent and respond to fires in a timely manner, leveraging the capabilities of artificial intelligence for the benefit of the local community.”
Driven by expertise, innovation, and collaboration, Nova actively contributes to the preservation of the country’s natural heritage and to creating a positive environmental and social footprint.
This commitment to sustainable development was recognized in 2026 by EcoVadis, one of the leading international sustainability rating agencies, with Nova ranking in the top 13% of telecommunications companies worldwide and the top 10% of the industry in terms of its environmental performance.
You can watch the handover ceremony for the “Smart Forest Rhodes” project here.