Restoring Nature: Andrey and Julia Dashin’s Foundation goes “back to the roots”
An innovative, multifaceted festival was held with great success on November 2nd, organized by ECOmbare with the Andrey and Julia Dashin Foundation as the Golden Sponsor.
The “Back to the Roots” festival brought thousands of volunteers together in Arakapas, a village severely impacted by devastating forest fires in 2021. The event’s primary goal was to inspire participants to take action against climate change, forge a stronger connection with nature, and help revive areas damaged by wildfires.
ECOmbare has established itself as a leader in designing impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) events that celebrate Cypriot culture, ecological stewardship, and community integration. Spearheaded by the dynamic visionaries Kristina Kremko and Mario Polymniou, ECOmbare’s events go beyond the realm of traditional CSR, creating meaningful experiences that foster a deep connection between businesses and the local community.
Recognizing the importance of this cause, the Andrey and Julia Dashin Foundation collaborated with the organizers to introduce the Waterboxx initiative, marking Cyprus’s first tree-planting activity to use pioneering Dutch technology. The Groasis Waterboxx, an innovative water-saving device, enables plants and trees to thrive in challenging conditions without groundwater or electricity, conserving up to 90% of water and allowing planting in hot, eroded, and degraded areas.
As the Golden Sponsor, the Andrey and Julia Dashin Foundation was thrilled to support this initiative, fulfilling one of its core aims: to foster immediate solutions and long-term environmental stewardship. By providing financial backing and expertise, the Foundation contributes to a unique model of land restoration in Cyprus.
With an engaging agenda for locals, visitors, and environmental enthusiasts, Arakapas—also known as the “mandarin capital of Cyprus” for its vibrant orchards—attracted a large crowd, including many children and adults. An open-air art gallery showcased photos, videos, paintings and sculptures by local and expatriate artists in a forest setting, depicting the relationship of humans with nature.
Visitors experienced innovative tree-planting techniques firsthand and participated in a range of interactive activities, including workshops, lectures, and art performances. These activities promoted environmental awareness and allowed visitors to contribute to the preservation of Cyprus’s landscape.
Among the volunteers, Andrey Dashin participated in the planting with his daughter and the Exinity group employees and their families.
He stated: “We believe reconnecting with nature is vital, and the ‘Back to the Roots’ festival achieved just that by inspiring participants to take meaningful action. Our Foundation was proud to contribute to making this festival a reality. Caring for the environment and preserving the island’s rich culture are at the heart of our mission. Through projects that address social issues and support environmental and cultural initiatives, we solve immediate challenges and help build stronger, more connected communities.”
The entire project was made possible with the help of Dr. Savvas Iezekiel, Director of the Forestry Department; Takis Papachristoforou, Secretary of the Cyprus Forestry Association, who provided the endemic tree seedlings; Father Antonios, High Priest of the Arakapas Church Council, who provided the land for planting; Ioannis Georgiou, Head of the Arakapas Community; and the Arakapas Village Council, who supported and hosted the entire festival.