On Wednesday, February 7, the Memorandum of Cooperation between ELPEDISON and the Municipality of Istiaea-Edipsos was signedin the presence of the CEO of the company Mr. Nikolaos Zachariadis and the Mayor Mr. Yiannis Kontzias, with the object of the Donation for the construction and operation of an Environmental Information Center in Kokkinomilia, Evia.

After the devastating fires of August 2021, which left an indelible mark on the area of ​​the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos and also of North Evia in general, ELPEDISON responded in practice by carrying out a series of reforestations until today.

Now, however, the Company’s commitment to supporting the region takes on another dimension, through an ambitious project involving the design, construction, operation and monitoring of the Environmental Information Center (178 sq.m.), in the old primary school school of Kokkinomilia as well as the provision of the most advanced audiovisual equipment. The purpose of the project is to contribute to the economic revival of the area, the environmental education of the Center’s visitors and the residents of the Municipality as well as the promotion of sustainability. It is worth noting that the formation of the business model of the area and operation of the Center was implemented with the study, undivided support and supervision of the International Consulting Company Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The strategic pillars of the Environmental Information Center include information about the natural and historical wealth of the area, alternative occupational rehabilitation/alternative occupations (against professions based on the exploitation of the forest), as well as education about the sustainable development and resilience of the region. In fact, ELPEDISON has also undertaken the provision of the necessary educational material and content, which it will renew at regular intervals, in collaboration with specialized agencies.

The Environmental Information Center will be operational within 2024primarily for the promotion of the specific strategic pillars and, secondarily, as a cultural center for the wider region, hosting exhibitions, presentations, educational events and artistic events, both in the external area of ​​the Center and in its specially designed courtyard area.

The collaboration between ELPEDISON and the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos is expected to have a significant impact on the region, contributing to education, environmental information, professional rehabilitation as well as the enhancement of visitation and tourism.

Mr. N. Zachariadis, CEO ELPEDISON, stated in this regard: “It is with great pleasure that we announce today our collaboration with the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos for the creation of the Environmental Information Center in Kokkinomilia Evia, within the framework of the Corporate Social Responsibility program “ELPEDISON ACTIVATE”. This project comes as a practical continuation of the commitment for the support of the regions of Northern Evia that were affected by the catastrophic fires of 2021. With a firm focus on social and environmental sustainability and resilience, we are sure that this initiative will have positive results both for the local community of Istiaia-Edipsos and and the wider area”.

From his side, Mr. G. Kontzias, Mayor of Istiaia-Edipsos stated: “ELPEDISON’s interest and support towards our Municipality, as expressed through the donation of the Kokkinomilia Environmental Information Center, is an important step towards the reconstruction of the area after the devastating fires. The main purpose of the Kokkinomilia Environmental Information Center is to function as a center of education and culture, offering many benefits to the residents. As a representative of the Municipality, I express our thanks to ELPEDISON for its important and generous support. For its part, the Municipality of Istiaea-Edipsos will embrace this project with all its strength, just as the local community will embrace it”.

Mr. Vassilis Antoniadis, Senior Partner and Managing Director of the Boston Consulting Group in Athens, stated: “It is a great pleasure and honor for BCG to participate in the design of this important corporate social responsibility project of ELPEDISON, in collaboration with the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos. The Kokkinomilia Environmental Information Center is expected to be an important development pole for the wider region . We thank ELPEDISON for the trust it has shown in us by commissioning the design of the business model of the area and the Municipality for its perfect cooperation in this excellent initiative”.