As part of a comprehensive, three-year program to support Cyprus’s mountain communities, EKO, a member of HELLENiQ ENERGY, is moving forward, further strengthening its long-standing presence and social contribution in the country. With a total investment expected to exceed €3 million over the next three years, the program focuses on the specific needs of the Mountain Communities covered by the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities (ESOK), as well as the communities in the Tillyria region.
The goal is to create a framework for long-term support that contributes to improving daily life and creating better prospects for people living in mountainous areas. With a focus on the younger generation and families, as well as initiatives in social care, environmental protection, and the promotion of cultural heritage, EKO seeks to make a meaningful contribution to maintaining vibrant and sustainable mountain communities.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The program and the new initiatives were presented on September 12 at a special event at the Presidential Country Residence in Troodos, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, the First Lady, Mrs. Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides, the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Dr. Athina Michaelidou, the Minister of Culture, Ms. Klea Papaellina, the CEO of HELLENiQ ENERGY, Mr. Andreas Siamisi, CEO of EKO, Mr. George Gregoras, as well as representatives and government officials.
Supporting families from the earliest years of life
A central pillar of the program is support for families and children through two new initiatives designed in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, based on the specific needs of the residents of these regions.
More specifically, EKO is launching a financial assistance program for young families in the Mountain Communities and the Tillyria region, providing €1,000 for the first newborn child, €1,500 for the second, and €2,000 for the third, as well as a fuel discount per newborn child. The initiative is expected to provide tangible support to more than 200 families each year.
The next initiative involves providing more than 120,000 breakfasts to 660 children attending public preschools in these mountainous regions, thereby making a tangible contribution to their daily care and well-being.
Finally, through the “Warm Embrace” initiative, which it is implementing for the fourth consecutive year, EKO provides tangible support to vulnerable social groups by covering the heating needs of 17 institutions in mountain communities. The initiative benefits more than 1,500 of our fellow citizens annually, while the total contribution has exceeded 200,000 liters of heating oil.
Investing in the Next Generation and Equal Opportunities
At the same time, special emphasis is placed on the next generation and education, with the expansion of HELLENiQ ENERGY’s Top Graduates Reward Program to Cyprus.
The program, which is implemented in Greece and is being expanded to Cyprus for the first time this year, recognizes high school graduates from Mountain Communities for their hard work and outstanding academic achievements. The goal is not only to recognize excellence but also to enhance opportunities for young people in mountainous regions to continue their studies and pursue their goals.
The awards ceremony for the 150 students who excelled this year took place as part of the event in Troodos, in the presence of state and political leaders.
Cultural Heritage and Forest Conservation
The three-year program extends beyond social care, incorporating two additional important dimensions for the future of the Mountain Communities: the promotion of their cultural identity and the protection of their natural wealth.
In this context, EKO supports the initiative of the Troodos Mountain Communities Cultural Foundation by funding the production of a documentary series titled “Journeys Through Memory,” to highlight the cultural heritage of the mountainous regions by documenting more than 100 personal testimonies and life stories.
At the same time, in response to the increased needs of the Forestry Directorate, EKO will provide five water tankers, thereby strengthening the capacity to protect the forests and natural environment of the mountainous regions.
In this way, the individual initiatives form a unified framework for social investment that supports the fundamental conditions for the long-term resilience of the communities themselves.
In his remarks, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, “At today’s event, I want to say more about EKO, and encourage others to follow its example; it marks a milestone in its corporate responsibility and in the collaboration between the state and the private sector. EKO’s announcements reaffirm exactly how important it is to support actions and policies aimed at the well-being of citizens and the improvement of their daily lives.”
For his part, the CEO of HELLENiQ ENERGY, Mr. Andreas Siamis, highlighted the importance of practical and long-term support for mountain communities, particularly for the children, young people, and families living there.
As he noted:
“Cyprus is not only a very important market for HELLENiQ ENERGY. It is also a place where we feel the need to leave a strong social legacy for the next generation. We believe that meaningful support for society has real value when it is sustainable, creates opportunities, and addresses real needs. That is why we have chosen to make a long-term investment in Cyprus’s Mountain Communities: in children, in families, in those most in need, and in the protection of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Through a comprehensive program expected to positively impact the lives of more than 7,000 people, we are investing over €3 million over the next three years. Our goal is to contribute, consistently and continuously, to creating better prospects for people and to maintaining vibrant and sustainable communities.”
EKO’s CEO, Mr. George Grigoras, emphasized that the Mountain Communities program is a continuation of the company’s broader social contribution in Cyprus:
“All these initiatives share a common thread: our commitment to creating lasting value for society. To invest in the next generation, to support families and those in need, to protect the environment, and to promote safety and sports.”
Mr. Grigoras also congratulated the students who were recognized for their achievements, emphasizing that “Your success is the result of your hard work and, at the same time, the starting point for all that you can achieve in the future.” As he emphasized, “At EKO, we will continue to stand by Cypriot society and the mountain communities with consistency, continuity, and actions that have a meaningful impact.”
