A powerful week of synergy, exchange, and active citizenship!
In May, FOTOESSA hosted the Portuguese partners in Greece as part of the European Erasmus+ project “Guardians of the Coasts.” The visiting partners included Rita Sousa from the organization Aequalitas, as well as Rafaela Fortunato and Beatriz Pereira from the organization Impact Trip.
The visit took place according to the project’s schedule and marked the first international transnational meeting of the partners in Greece. It focused on coastal protection, free access to beaches, environmental awareness, active citizenship, and the exchange of good practices between Greece and Portugal.
During the visit, an extensive round of meetings, discussions, and exchanges of experience was held with representatives from the scientific community, local government, environmental organizations, volunteer groups, and citizens’ movements.
Participants had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at different initiatives and actions related to the protection of coasts and the marine environment, as well as the challenges faced by local communities. As part of the visit, meetings were held with institutional bodies and key figures, including:
🔹 The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) – an official supporter of the project, represented by:
Dr. Vassilios Kapsimalis, Director
Dr. Alexandra Gogou, Research Director of the Institute of Oceanography
Dr. Maria Salomidi, Biologist – Oceanographer, Researcher and Scientific Diver at the HCMR Institute of Oceanography
Dr. Stylianos Petrakis, Geologist – Oceanographer at HCMR
Dr. Konstantinos Tsirintanis, Research Associate at HCMR
🔹 Mr. Dimitris Papachristou, Mayor of the Saronikos Municipality, an official supporter of the project
🔹 Ms. Viktoria Simitzi Mykoniati, Vice Mayor of Tourism for the Saronikos Municipality
🔹 Mr. Iasonas Markantonis, Climatologist and environmental activist
🔹 Mr. Gabriel Kokkinis, Attorney, President of the Saronikos Municipal Youth Council, and member of the “Free Beaches” citizens’ movement
🔹 Mr. Christos Kotsireas, Activist and member of the “Free Beaches” citizens’ movement
🔹 Mr. Antonis Sifakis, Attorney – Activist, specializing in environmental law
🔹 Ms. Zacharo Frantzeskou, President of the cultural association “Phocaean Politeia,” an official supporter of the project
🔹 Ms. Anastasia Ioannidou and the team “Youth Volunteers in Action in Saronikos,” an official supporter of the project
🔹 Angeliki Spanea and Yiannis Angelakos at the Diveness diving center, discussing environmental volunteering, seabed cleanups, and beach cleanups
🔹 Volunteer members of the “Free Beaches” citizen’s movement at the 24-hour guard post in Glystra, Lagonisi
Through these meetings, the vital importance of cooperation among citizens, scientists, local government, environmental organizations, and social movements was highlighted to ensure the protection of coasts and the marine environment.
The “Guardians of the Coasts” project continues to build bridges of cooperation between Greece and Portugal, promoting active citizen participation, the exchange of experiences, and the protection of beaches as a public and common good.
Our beaches:
A common good.
A shared responsibility.
A common future.