The LAVA-LIFE project — “Urgent Action to Protect Critically Endangered Cave Fauna in Madeira’s Lava Tube Ecosystems” — focuses on protecting the cave-dwelling fauna of Cavalum I Cave, in Machico. It is currently the most biodiverse known volcanic cave on the island of Madeira, providing refuge for at least twelve endemic subterranean species, four of which are exclusive to this site. Among them is the spider Centromerus sexoculatus, which is extremely threatened and classified on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (CR) — just one step away from extinction. Despite its exceptional value, the cave has no formal protection and is increasingly exposed to human pressures: uncontrolled visits lead to soil compaction, litter accumulation and the destruction of microhabitats; surrounding urbanisation contributes to the destabilisation of the cave structure, pollution of the surrounding environment and the introduction of exotic species. This is further compounded by the fact that lava tubes are a very rare habitat in the archipelago compared with their counterparts elsewhere in Macaronesia. In response to this situation, the project combines scientific research, habitat restoration, legal protection, and a strong investment in education and community engagement. It is the first conservation action dedicated to subterranean ecosystems in Madeira and aims to establish a replicable model for other volcanic caves across Macaronesia.