Ongoing rural abandonment, a lack of an integrated policy of “top-down” support and the underdevelopment of civil society actors leads to a shrinking of the dynamism and development prospects of regional areas. Rural sustainability can only be achieved through endogenous sustainable local development initiatives that motivate and empower local populations – for which active, local Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) are a prerequisite.
The Alliance for Sustainable Local Development (SymATA) that will be created through the proposed project aims to strengthen 12 regional CSO‘s- the so called “Members Network” – that operate locally for sustainable development with an emphasis on three pillars: nature, culture and the primary sector.
Empowerment will be achieved in two ways:
(a) through networking amongst them but also with reputable national and supranational bodies – the so called “Initiative Team” – of which MedINA (PP) will be a member, in order to exchange know-how, information and good practices. As part of the project, 2 networking meetings and 3 participatory workshops will be organized for the members of SymATA.
(b) by capacity building and support provision on matters of advocacy- led by the specialized project partner (Green Tank) –, sustainable local development, internal organization and governance -through collaboration with the “Support Tank” consultants-. The aim is to strengthen the operational and participatory capacities of the “Members Network” as well as advocacy skills that will enable an active stance on matters of interest. As part of the project, 6 capacity building seminars and provision of consulting services and / or mentoring will be organized.
The project “Alliance for Sustainable Local Development (SymATA)” is being implemented under the Active citizens fund in Greece by MedINA and its partner The Green Tank.
The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.
More information: www.activecitizensfund.gr/en/
About the EEA Grants:
Τhe EEA Grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EEA Grants are available to the 13 EU member countries that joined the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2004, 2007 and 2013 as well as Greece and Portugal. The decision-making body of the EEA Grants is the Financial Mechanism Committee, which is composed of representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
More information: www.eeagrants.org & www.eeagrants.gr
About Bodossaki:
The Bodossaki Foundation is one of the most respected privately-owned public benefit organizations in Greece. The Foundation is the culminating point of its founder’s brilliant course in life and remains the carrying vessel of the values and ideas that he faithfully served throughout his eventful life. The Foundation was established in 1972 by Prodromos – Bodossakis Athanassiades who decided to donate his entire fortune to support health care, equal opportunities, quality in education, scientific progress and environmental protection. The Foundation has a deep knowledge of social needs in Greece and has administered so far more than €450m supporting its causes.
The Bodossaki Foundation also supports NGOs working with socially vulnerable groups and has lately set the strengthening of civil society as one of its primary objectives. Since 2013 it administers the regranting facilities of the EEA Grants for civil society in Greece.
More information: www.bodossaki.gr/en/
About SolidarityNow:
SolidarityNow (SN) is a non-governmental organization established in 2013 to respond to the needs, and advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, indiscriminately. SN’s Headquarters are in Athens, with large operations in Thessaloniki and activities across the country. The organization’s vision is to improve people’s lives and to empower them to create a just and inclusive society. SN’s actions fall under three main strategic priorities: a) Promoting safety and protection; b) Catalyzing livelihoods opportunities; c) Strengthening the independence of civil society and defending open society values. SN has supported 300,000 people to date, both through direct project implementation and through regranting programmes. Through its regranting initiatives, SN has supported 73 different programs and provided a total funding of € 14.4M to support Greek civil society organizations.
More information: www.solidaritynow.org/en/