The sky first turned yellow. The sun suddenly disappeared behind a haze of smoke. On July 23, 2025, Serge Kopov stood outside his home in Limassol, Cyprus, as the hills around his home city began to burn. By nightfall, he was evacuating his family.
Later, he would learn that the scene he watched from his balcony marked the start of one of the most devastating wildfires to hit the island in decades. More than 120 sq km of forests, vineyards, and grasslands were consumed, some of it within three Natura 2000 protected areas. Fourteen villages were evacuated. Two people died in a burned-out vehicle. Dozens of homes burned to nothing but ashes.
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In the village of Souni, Serge Kopov remembers the chaos firsthand. “People, without water, electricity, or help from the fire department, fighting to save their homes with their bare hands,” he recalls.
Call it irony, pure chance, or fate, the fire struck during a conversation already focused on environmental recovery. Just hours earlier, he had been speaking with reforestation specialist Victor Khodanov about a collaborative restoration initiative. The two had met days earlier, at a Founders CY community event on July 17. Viktor Khodanov had been presenting his newly launched project, the Null Project, an experimental reforestation initiative. By the time the fire reached Souni, Serge Kopov was already onboard to help build its digital backbone. The wildfire simply turned their collaboration into a mission.
In Times of Crisis
The project they had been discussing was the same Null Project Viktor Khodanov had presented during the Founders event. Drawing from his background in ecological restoration, he had recently acquired a 5.8-hectare site in Kelokedara to pilot a new model of reforestation. His approach focused not just on planting trees but on accelerating ecological succession by restoring water retention, biodiversity, and soil structure.
“We focus on methods that allow reforestation to scale quickly and affordably. Our ambition is to reduce the cost of restoring one hectare to the equivalent of a small company’s stationery budget.”
At the heart of the model is an emphasis on enabling ecosystems to regenerate themselves. Rather than speeding up the growth of individual trees, the Null Project creates the right conditions for nature to move into its next stage of ecological succession, decades ahead of schedule.
The first pilot site in Kelokedara extends over 58,000 square meters (5.8 hectares). The team is working on reshaping the terrain to trap rainfall, enriching the soil for moisture retention, and testing drought-resistant methods. Among these methods is the Groasis Waterboxx, a Dutch-engineered capsule that helps young trees survive in arid environments by capturing and slowly releasing condensation and rainwater.
“Our goal is to create conditions where nature can recover itself,” Viktor Khodanov explains. “Instead of accelerating individual growth, we accelerate the system so forests return not in thirty years, but in three.”
Just six days before the fire, Serge Kopov had heard Viktor Khodanov present the idea at a Founders CY community event. The two connected immediately. “When I met Viktor, I saw how much thought had gone into the project,” Serge Kopov recalls. “I knew my background in software could help bring this vision to life.”
Their collaboration was still taking shape when the fire arrived. But the destruction added urgency and focus. “We had always intended to act,” says Serge Kopov. “But what had started as a side project suddenly demanded our full focus. It became clear this needed to be a top priority.”
Digital Tools for On-the-Ground Restoration
While the Null Project’s core work takes place in the field, technology is central to scaling it. Serge Kopov, drawing on his two decades of experience in software and game development, is leading the creation of the Null Forest App. The platform will feature a 3D interactive map of Cyprus showing active fire zones, burned areas in need of restoration, unused land available for planting, and plots where restoration work is planned or underway.
Each plot will include a detailed card outlining the sponsor, the restoration plan, and current progress. The goal is to make the process visible and participatory. Local residents and supporters will be able to subscribe to specific areas and follow or contribute to the work.
“Task transparency, progress visualization, ease of support, and targeted efforts all help make the process more efficient and involve more people,” Serge Kopov explains.
One standout feature is a fire alert system that incorporates not just location but also the direction and speed of fire movement. As Serge Kopov puts it, “It’s not just about distance. It’s about anticipating risk.”
The prototype, expected to be showcased within days, will focus on the visual layer of the platform, enough to communicate the vision and demonstrate its potential. A fundraising campaign will follow to support full development and public release.
Community and Collaboration
While the Null Project is guided by ecological science and is now being supported by digital tools, its progress ultimately depends on collaboration with landowners, local leaders, and public institutions. Before beginning work on any plot, the team seeks agreement with whoever owns the land, be it private individuals, the government, or the Church.
“We actively involve local leaders and volunteers,” says Viktor Khodanov. “And we maintain ongoing dialogue with the Forestry Department. That said, community engagement is something that can always be improved.”
Early support for the project has come from the Founders CY community, whose members are committed to monthly contributions to help restore the Kelokedara site. This small-donor model reflects a core philosophy of the Null Project: that meaningful environmental change doesn’t require big foundations. Consistent support from people who care is just as important.
Where Can You Make a Difference?
The Null Project is currently active on three fronts, and each one needs its own kind of support.
- The Kelokedara pilot site: The team is building water retention systems, preparing the soil, and planting across 5.8 hectares. “To sustain this work, we need around €58,000 per month over the next three years,” Viktor Khodanov says.
- The Null Forest app: The prototype is nearly ready, but the team is looking to raise €25,000 to bring the first public version to life within the next two months.
- Recovery efforts around Souni–Zanakia: One of the areas hardest hit by the July fires. It’s still early days, and the plans are still under development, but the work will include seed collection, erosion control, and long-term restoration design. “We don’t yet know the full cost,” says Khodanov, “but we already know it will require serious resources. And any early support is deeply appreciated.”
The team expects to complete nonprofit registration in August, allowing donations through official banking channels. Until then, supporters can reach out directly for guidance. Whether it’s helping fund the app, restoring burned land, or planting the next tree, every small contribution counts to rebuilding our shared home.
“This is no longer just a project. It’s a mission born out of urgency—and a commitment to restore what was lost and protect what remains.”
says Serge Kopov.
