Evros was visited yesterday and the day before yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, responsible for recovery from natural disasters and state aid, Christos Triandopoulos in the context of the wider government project for the restoration and reconstruction of the region after the catastrophic fires of 2023.

First, the day before yesterday, Wednesday, October 2, the Special Committee for the Reconstruction and Development of Evros met, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister, Christos Triandopoulos, in Dadia, Soufli municipality, where the preparatory work – with all those involved – that has been done so far was analyzed for the content of the plan, in a framework of cooperation with the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Democritus University of Thrace, Diazoma and Mr. Stavros Beno, the municipalities of Evros and all the members of the Special Committee, throughout this period.

At the same time, the content of the strategic plan (master plan) was finalized, after everyone’s cooperation and in terms of the financing part, and the timetable was set for the promotion of the process of integrated spatial investment within the current year in cooperation with the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace .

Mr. Triandopoulos also presented the progress of the implementation of the support and rehabilitation plan, which began to be implemented from the first moment after the fires.

Specifically, regarding the measures that have been implemented, the Deputy Minister noted that:

1. As regards the first aidthrough the arogi.gov.gr platform, 490,000 euros have been paid to those affected by Evros, of which 41 beneficiaries received 217,804 euros as first aid for housing assistance and 75 beneficiaries received 272,000 euros as first aid for business subsidies.

2. Regarding the granting of the advance payment of 50% of the state aid to businesses and agricultural holdings, where nine ministerial decisions have been issued and 2,138,375 euros have been paid to 340 businesses and agricultural holdings.

3. As regards the granting of its final grant state aid to businesses and agricultural holdings, a ministerial grant decision has been issued for the affected businesses, in the amount of 821,675 euros and the payment of the repayment of the first beneficiaries has already started, where to date, the payments amount to 474,391 euros to 33 businesses.

4. Regarding the special scheme of business support of Soufli who operate in the tourism sector of the region through the mybusinesssupport platform, have been paid 56,364 euros.

5. Regarding the hybrid scheme of the state aid for the loss of plant capital in collaboration with ELGA, approximately 7,400,000 euros were paid to Evros beneficiaries as a 50% advance and the completion of the process is underway.

6. Regarding the immaterial digital card Evros Pass for the municipality of Soufli and the municipal Finance Unit of the municipality of Alexandroupoli, the financial aid of 200 euros per voucher implemented this year, in three phases, has a budget of 1,000,000 euros.

7. As regards the forest, the Ministry of Environment and Energy is launching interventions with a total budget of approximately 63,000,000 euros for the restoration of forest ecosystems of Evros.

8. As regards the livestock compensationall the foreseen compensations were paid to the beneficiary livestock farmers of Evros affected by the fire of 2023, which amount to 261,488 euros.

9. Regarding the residences, h housing assistance consists of free government aid (80%) and an interest-free loan (20%) guaranteed by the Greek State. The initially estimated funding regarding Evros amounts to 3,775,296 euros. Also, a rent or cohabitation subsidy is provided to cover temporary housing costs for permanent residents, with an initial budget of 815,792 euros.

10. With regard to the emergency funding for the local self-government organizations, with the recommendation of the Government Committee for State Aid, emergency funding has been approved for the local self-government organizations of Evros, in the total amount of 9,270,000 euros, of which 2,220 in the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. 000 euros and to the Municipalities of Evros 7,050,000 euros.