ELLINIKI ETAIRIA

Τhe “Sustainable Aegean Programme” is a sub-branch of the Greek non-governmental organisation Elliniki Etairia, which is dedicated in protecting Greece’s environmental and cultural heritage. Τhe “Sustainable Aegean Programme”  focuses chiefly on sustainable development of the Aegean islands by promoting local identity, changing perceptions towards alternative forms of tourism/ecotourism, encouraging the protection of the island’s cultural heritage and wherever possible, assisting in environmentally friendly investments.

Τhe “Sustainable Aegean Programme” aims to:
1. Highlight the problem. Where does the current development model lead?
2. Raise public awareness locally on environmental, architectural and landscape issues as well as on the need for a sustainable regional economy. How does each one of us contribute to the economic and environmental devaluation of the Aegean?
3. Promote sustainable local development as an answer to the visible danger of the Aegean’s economic devaluation.

• Residents of the Aegean islands,
• students,
• local NGOs,
• local authorities,
• businesses,
• academics.

2005 - 2015.
 

Τhe “Sustainable Aegean Programme” consolidates and systematizes the work of Elliniki Etairia in the Aegean. This work, which commenced as early as 1972, includes conferences, scientific events, the recording and registering of the region’s cultural heritage, student competitions and local interventions of each island instigated by the requests of residents or by Elliniki Etairia’s numerous local committees throughout the Aegean.

Ever since its creation, Elliniki Etairia, has been engaged in the protection of the environment and cultural heritage in the Aegean. But the construction boom in the Aegean does not only threaten the region’s environment and monuments. It also threatens the islands’ economic prosperity in the medium-term. We believe that the conditions are now right for the beginning of a dialogue within local societies regarding the economic viability of the Aegean islands’ development model. A dialogue for the present and the immediate future of the Aegean islands.

Additionally, the “Sustainable Aegean Programme” engages with the local schools of the Aegean through four activities which are designed to raise environmental awareness and increase sustainable development in the Aegean. These activities are designed for all ages and they get young people to think about the future of their islands in a lively and interesting manner.

The four school projects are:

1. Photo Competition
2. My Island, a Boat Travelling in Time
3. A Sustainable Development Guide for my Island
4. Filming Documentaries

In the past many of the islands (eg. Amorgos, Serifos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Antiparos, Lesvos, Chios, Naxos, Sifnos, Leros, Kos, Patmos and Skiros), have participated in such events, especially the photo competition. Apart from the children engaging with their island’s cultural identity and learning how to conserve their local environment, they also explain to us their concerns and what they believe is important to their islands; which we, adults, sometimes fail to see. For this reason, Sustainable Aegean Programme uploads the school’s work on our website so that everyone can see the kid’s sustainable development suggestions.

We have also been involved in specific conservation and management programmes in Amorgos, Iraklia, Donousa, Ano kai Kato Koufonisi, Sikinos, Sifnos,Chios among others.

Τhe “Sustainable Aegean Programme” is one of many similar worldwide and local initiatives. One is  Green Passport, which is an initiative of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development from the United Nations Environment Programme.

We collaborate on many fields, with local Municipalities. For instance we collaborate on legal cases such as Land use plan for Tourism with the municipalities of Aghios Efstratios, Alonissos, Anafi, Andros, Astypalaia, Ikaria, Samos, Karpathos, Thira, Kantanos, Kimolos, Lipsi, Lemnos, Kythera, Milos, Mykonos, Nisyros, Paksi, Paros, Samos, Sikinos, Syros, Skopelos, Halki, Tilos,Ios, Amorgos, Iraklia.

• Georgia Kikou, Associate
• Thodoris Tzoumas, Associate
• Michael Chavaranis, Associate
• Miltiadis Lazoglou, Associate

Aegean Islands except Crete and Euboia.

Until today more than 600 good practices have been recorded in each and every Aegean island, including those of citizens, academics and local NGOs. Our awareness raising campaigns began in 2005. Every year hundreds of students participate in our programs.