Eight Public Benefit Foundations come together to support the actions of 29 civil society organisations

29 organisations have been selected to receive grants under the fourth round of the “Points of Support” programme for 2020/2021. The Programme is a joint initiative by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the TIMA Charitable Foundation, the Hellenic Hope charity organisation, the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the A. G. Leventis Foundation, the A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, the Costas M. Lemos Foundation, and the Bodossaki Foundation. The aims of the programme are, on the one hand, provision of support for small-scale original projects with the highest possible social impact and, on the other hand, reinforcement and capacity building for Greek civil society organisations, with priority given to those of small and medium size, as a means of bolstering the development and effectiveness of their work.

The 29 selected projects, selected out of a total of 165 applications, will be granted an amount of up to €5,000 and will be implemented by 41 organisations, 12 out of which will participate in the projects as partner organisations. The projects have a duration of up to 12 months and fall under one of the following issue areas: “Social Integration of People With Disabilities”, “Support for the Elderly”, “Support for Children”: a. “Child Protection”, b. “Children and Health”, c. “Children and the Environment”, and “Support for Actions for Environmental Protection”: a. “Protection of aquatic and coastal ecosystems”, b. “Protection of woodland and other terrestrial ecosystems”. In addition, the selected organisations will also take part in free capacity building activities, which will be 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 strengthening civil society organisations and groups, with a focus on learning, professional support and networking.

The full list of the organizations shortlisted to receive grants follows below, by programme area, as defined by the Programme's respective donors:

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

• “Me alla matia” (www.meallamatia.services) – Distance learning tutorials on the use of computers and smartphones for people with vision impairments
• “Poreia Ygeias” (www.poreia-ygeias.gr/en/) – Training for volunteers and carers for people with disabilities, by people with disabilities
• Community of LGBT people with disabilities (www.loatamea.gr)  – Development of Sign Language vocabulary on LGBT issues, in partnership with HandsUp
• “Irodikos” Athletic Association of People with Disabilities  (www.irodikos.gr) – Creation of an audio-visual manual for the implementation of psychomotor intervention programmes for people with disabilities in limited spaces, in partnership with the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace
• Career Sign (www.careersign.gr)  – Creation of accessible vocational descriptions in the form of videos
• e-Nable Greece (www.enabling.gr) – Development of a methodology for the conversion of fairy tale images and other print materials into three-dimensional models, and creation of a corresponding digital library, in partnership with AMIMONI
• Kinitro (www.kinitro.org) – Training for people with or without disabilities in facilitating experiential workshops to increase familiarization with disability, in partnership with IASIS
• Eco Museum Zagori (www.ecomuseumzagori.gr) – Development of accessibility of an educational walking route in the area of Zagori, for people with limited vision

ΙΙ. “Support for the Elderly” (Donor: TIMA Charitable Foundation)

• E-Mythos, Centre for the Study and Dissemination of Myths and Fairy Tales (www.e-mythos.eu) – Creation of podcasts of myths and fairy tales for elderly listeners
• “Erasmos” Social Intervention Association (www.erasmosverias.com) – Implementation of an interactive workshop for expression and musico-theatrical portrayal of interpretive roles, for elderly people
• Alzheimer Chalkida (www.alzheimer-chalkida.org) – Creation of innovative tools for mental resilience for elderly people
• Diaconia, Voluntary Ministry of Hospital Patients (www.diaconia.gr) – Support and care for lonely elderly patients in hospitals in Attica
• ΚΑPA 3 (www.kapa3.org) – Support for cancer patients, through the use of information and communication technologies, in partnership with the Association of Cancer Patients “KEFI”
• Angelos and Leto Katakouzenos Foundation (www.katakouzenos.gr) – Creation of a guide for museums and cultural organisations regarding the inclusion of people with dementia, in partnership with Alzheimer Athens
• Hellenic Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology (www.gerontology.gr) – Extension of the online training programme “School for Carers of Alzheimer patients”, in partnership with EGTC “Efxini Poli”
• YouthNest (www.youthnest.com) – Analysis, digital mapping and dissemination of the individual features of the “Help at home” service, in partnership with the Municipality of Thessaloniki

ΙΙΙ. “Support for Children”:

   a. “Child Protection” (Donor: Hellenic Hope)

• I.CO.N Greece (www.icongreece.gr) –  Training for educators in Rhodes, and awareness-raising actions for students on issues of child protection
• 3Dlexia Cosmos (www.3dlexiacosmos.com) – Organisation of holistic workshops for children with dyslexia and learning disabilities, in partnership with ART HUB Athens
• ELIZA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (www.eliza.org.gr)  – Training of pre-school and school teachers with the aim of preventing and managing cases of child abuse

   b. “Children and Health” (Donor: Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation)

• Zo.E.S. (www.zwes.gr) – Implementation of a programme pairing children suffering from cancer with trained dogs, in partnership with AGIGMA ZOIS
• MERIMNA (www.merimna.org.gr)  – Provision of counselling by telephone for parents and educators supporting children after the death of a loved one
• Openous (www.openous.org) – Implementation of a psycho-educational programme for building mental resilience in children and adolescents with a refugee background

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

• Hellenic Olympic Winners Association (www.olympicwinners.gr) – Promotion of best practices in a marine and coastal environment through a mentoring programme for children
• VVS (www.vvs.gr) – Implementation of outdoor educational activities, in the natural environment of Lake Karla

IV. “Support for Actions for Environmental Protection”

a. “Protection of aquatic and coastal ecosystems” (Donor: A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation)

• iSea, Environmental Organisation for the Preservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (www.isea.com.gr) –Investigation into the existence of pharmaceutical substances in the muscle tissue of commercial fish species and assessment of chemical pollution resulting from the same substances, in partnership with GIVMED Share Medicine Share Life
• ΟΖΟΝ NGO (www.ozon-ngo.gr) – Implementation of actions to involve the local community in the protection of the Kokkosi Wetland, in partnership with the “Kokkosi Wetland” team
• Messolonghi By Locals (www.messolonghibylocals.com) – Implementation of actions for experiential learning and the promotion of the environmental diversity of the Kleisova Lagoon

b. “Protection of woodland and other terrestrial ecosystems” (Donor: Costas M. Lemos Foundation)

• The Southern Lights (www.thesouthernlights.org) – Natural construction of a small-scale building to support the actions of the edible forest school at Skala Lakonias
• Institute for Creativity, Research and Development of Thermos – Creation of a fully-documented and accessible network of trails, connecting sites of business, historical and environmental significance, in partnership with the Thermos Mixed Sports Club.