The year 2021 marked the completion of the fourth cycle of the “Points of Support” programme; a collaborative initiative of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the TIMA Charitable Foundation, the Hellenic Hope charity organisation, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation, the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the A.C. Laskaridis Foundation, the Costas M. Lemos Foundation and the Bodossaki Foundation.

The goal of the Programme is, on the one hand, to support original small-scale projects that result in maximum social impact that benefits vulnerable social groups and, on the other hand, the reinforcement of infrastructures and capacity building of Greek civil society organisations as a means of bolstering the development and effectiveness of their work.

Within 2021, a total of 29 projects were funded; these projects were implemented by 41 organisations, 12 of which participated as collaborating bodies. The projects had a duration of up to 12 months and fell under one of the following thematic areas:

1. “Social Integration of People with Disabilities” (John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation)

2. “Support for the Elderly” (ΤΙΜΑ Charitable Foundation)

3. “Support for Children”:

a. “Child Protection” (Hellenic Hope)

b. “Children and Health” (Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation)

c. “Children and the Environment” (A. G. Leventis Foundation)

4. “Support for Actions for Environmental Protection”:

a. “Protection of Aquatic and Coastal Ecosystems” (A.C. Laskaridis Foundation)

b. “Protection of Woodland and other Terrestrial Ecosystems” (Costas M. Lemos Foundation)

In addition, the selected organisations took part in free capacity building activities, funded and implemented by the Bodossaki Foundation, through Social Dynamo. Social Dynamo is an initiative of the Bodossaki Foundation, in partnership with the Municipality of Athens (through the SynAthina platform), aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the organisations, with a focus on learning, professional support and networking.

With funding from the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation:

1. “Me Alla Matia” NPO completed the pilot programme for distance learning tutorials on the use of computers and smartphones for people with vision impairment, provided by trainers with visual disabilities. In the framework of the action, 116 people with visual impairment became familiar with the world of technology, aiming at their empowerment and professional and social integration in the new digital era.
2. “Health Route” SCE implemented the action “Volunteers in Order”, consisting in the training of volunteers and carers for people with disabilities by people with disabilities. The action included 10 training workshops, providing empowerment opportunities to 125 participants and helping reduce their social exclusion. At the same time, 1 training manual was produced in 100 copies and distributed to institutions engaged with disability matters; the manual is available free of charge here.
3. The Community of Greek LGTB People with Disabilities designed and developed an official and politically correct vocabulary in the Greek Sign Language to include LGBTQI+ terminology, in partnership with HandsUp social enterprise. The vocabulary contains 77 terms and is available in video format here.
4. “Irodikos” Sports Association of People with Disabilities created an audiovisual manual for the implementation of psychomotor intervention programmes for people with disabilities in limited spaces, in partnership with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace.
5. Career Sign implemented the action “Knowing the Professions”, which developed accessible vocational descriptions in Greek Sign Language, in video format. The description list comprises 10 videos and is available here.
6. e-Nable Greece completed the development of a methodology for the conversion of fairy tale images and other print materials into 3D models, and the creation of a digital library, in partnership with AMIMONI. The action included the design of 2 fairy tales with 3D illustrations, a guide, and a video tutorial for the conversion of a digital image file into a digital file suitable for 3D printing.
7. KINITRO NPO carried out the “Labyrinth of Trainings” programme, an inclusive action for training people with and without disabilities in facilitating experiential workshops to increase familiarisation with disability, in partnership with IASIS NPO, active in the mental health field. More than 2,600 participants were trained through the workshops.
8. EcoMuseum Zagori” SCE implemented the museum-pedagogical programme “I Hear – I Touch – I Feel” concerning the development of accessibility of an educational walking route in the area of Zagori, for people with limited vision. The programme, specially designed for people with visual disabilities, offered the experiential experience of an interpretive guided tour of bridges in Zagori, with the help of 3D models depicting the geomorphology of the route, interactive elements that enhance spatial perception and soundscapes of Zagori. 42 people participated in the 2 walks that took place.