Background The growing recognition that the conservation of biodiversity in Europe depends on the continuation of low-intensity farming systems resulted in the concept of high nature value farming (HNVF). In the Mediterranean in particular, HNVF includes some of the most traditional agricultural crops such as cork oaks, olives, carob and vineyards. In Cyprus, carob groves and vineyards are among the crops that are inextricably linked with the economic and cultural character of the island. At the same time these crop systems, when farmed at low-intensity, support species of fauna and flora that are important at the national or European level, while providing a number of other ecosystem services. Despite their importance, these HNVF types on the island are now threatened by intensification, abandonment and lack of awareness about their role. Objectives The objectives of the project are to: 1. Conserve biodiversity in vineyards and carob groves with a strong focus on species listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives; 2. Support and promote sustainable agricultural practices that increase ecosystem services and conserve biodiversity in high nature value (HNV) farmlands; 3. Identify strengths and weaknesses of current agricultural management practices with respect to biodiversity conservation in HNV farmlands; 4. Identify strengths and weaknesses of biodindicators for evaluation of HNV farmlands in small-scale agriculture; 5. Build a knowledge base for vineyard and carob grove HNV farmland in Cyprus; and 6. Encourage stakeholder involvement and increase public awareness regarding HNV farmlands issues through active participatory learning. Expected results: 1. Creation of a spatial database of HNV vineyard and carob groves in Cyprus; 2. Completion of list of indicator species that can be used to assess the effects of farming practices on biodiversity in Mediterranean ecosystems; 3. Creation and restoration of biodiversity enhancing features in five vineyards and five carob groves including hedgerows, brush piles and carob groves; 4. Assessment of three key ecosystem services – biological control, carbon sequestration, and soil formation – supplied by vineyards and carob groves; 5. Production of a 40-page manual on sustainable farming practices for viticulture and carob growing; 6. Training of 30 vineyard growers and 30 carob growers on the use of sustainable farming practices that promote biodiversity; and 7. Establishment of two agrodiversity trails in historic HNV farmlands to inform the public, school and university students and farmers of the importance of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.