European project FOCUS event in Agia
A three day informative event within the frame of the European project FOCUS was held by Municipality of Agia from 16th to 18th of October 2015.
The project FOCUS – Stimulating new forms of active civic participation through focus on Social and Solidarity Economy is implemented under the European Program “Europe for citizens” and financed by 100 percent from the European Organization EACEA "Education, Audiovisual & Culture Executive Agency" of the European Commission.
Municipality of Agia, a lead partner of project FOCUS, coordinates the actions of a network of 10 European districts that desire to disseminate as a best practice for the empowerment of civic participation, through engagement in Social economy structures.
The 1st open-day entitled: “A standpoint for a deeper discussion on the future of Europe and on what kind of Europe citizens want,” was hosted on Friday 16th of October, at the Conference Hall “Chryssalida" in Agia, while the 2days informative event entitled "2day non-formal education platform and debate: Social economy as a boost to the European active citizenship" were held on Saturday 17th of October at the Conference Hall "Chryssalida" in Agia and on Sunday 18th of October at the Conference Hall of Anatoli, district of the Municipality of Agia.
During these events the FOCUS partners had the opportunity to meet local associations, NGOs and groups of citizens, as well as introduce voluntary organizations, charities, NGOs and cooperatives from their district and exchange best practices.
The presentations included the Rehabilitation center “Village of Hope” by Rafael Milerman, representative of the Local Action Group Western – Harju Partnership, Estonia, Social Economy and Cooperatives in Greece by Apostolos Goulas PhD Candidate Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly (Rural Space Lab), Social Entrepreneurship: Best practices in Greece by Theodore Alexandrou, representative of the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED), Community activities day “Let's Do It!,” by Ede Teinbas representative of the Local Action Group Western – Harju Partnership, Estonia, Developmental actions of Naxxar Local Council, by Paul Gatt and Pierre Skiberras, representatives of the Local Council Naxxar, Μalta, Young entrepreneurs’ networks in Europe by Christos Genitseftsis, president of the Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance of Thessaly, Methodological issues for planning with local communities by Kleanthis Sirakoulis, professor of TEI of Larissa Department of Business Administration, Social organizations of the Municipality of Agia, by Theodora Patsiavoudi, member of the Department of EU Projects Municipality of Agia and Presentation of Actions of Network of Touristic Enterprises of Olympos – Kissavos (OL.KIS. NET), by Nikos Dagas, representative of the OL.KIS. NET.
The FOCUS partners had also the opportunity to experience the customs and traditions of Agia, visiting the “Chestnut Fest” and the 10th Meeting of the Mushroom’s Friends of Thessaly. The European project FOCUS will be concluded on June 2016, with a seven day informative event, which will be also held in the district of Agia.
