“Protovoulia ‘21*” was established in 2018 by the most important Public Benefit Foundations in Greece along with the National Bank of Greece on the occasion of the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution, organising numerous actions in Greece and abroad in partnership with scientific, academic, cultural and social institutions. With the successful completion of the aforementioned actions, “Protovoulia ‘21” moved on its second phase of collaborative initiatives, focusing on the implementation of actions addressing the issue of Climate Change and the Environment. These actions, which have been undertaken by the members of “Protovoulia ‘21” and have begun to be implemented, are linked to all aspects of the effects of climate change: Health, Education, Culture, Air Pollution, Food Insecurity, the Sea, Law, Natural Disasters and the Protection of Cultural Heritage

In particular, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supports, among other actions:

• The “Climate Change and Health” programme, launched by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation and the Social and Cultural Affairs Welfare Foundation – KIKPE. In particular, this Programme comprises the following individual actions:
  • The creation of the first interdepartmental and interdisciplinary “Climate Change and Health” Observatory. The Observatory aims at the systematic and long-term monitoring of the impacts of Climate Change on Health, in correlation with climate model projections regarding the evolution of the phenomenon. Through the Observatory, data are collected on meteorological factors and atmospheric pollutants, while Climate Change related phenomena such as heatwaves and wildfires are also recorded. The data gathered by the Observatory, combined with the existing databases maintained by the research teams of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), contribute to an in-depth study of the effects of Climate Change on Health, both in Athens and in urban areas across Greece that have so far remained insufficiently studied.
  • The implementation of an interdisciplinary project titled “Climate Crisis and Humanitarian Medicine”, aimed at strengthening the health and psychosocial preparedness of small islands and regions affected by natural disasters, such as Halki and Thessaly. Within the framework of the Programme, the project will record the current situation and enhance readiness in crisis and disaster management through targeted training, healthcare support, and awareness-raising interventions in selected areas characterised by very small populations and limited access to health services.
  • The implementation of a research study titled “Classification of Drinking Water in North Evia in Areas Affected by the 2021 Wildfires”. Given that wildfires have severe and long-term effects on water quality, directly impacting human health, the study aims to characterise drinking water from areas of Northern Evia affected by the uncontrolled wildfires of 2021, focusing on disinfection by-products that are not typically present in the water treatment process and have not yet been identified, classified, or studied.

• The “Climate Academy: An Open School on Climate Change” programme, which is jointly supported with the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation – International Center of Maritime Research and Tradition. Within the framework of the Programme, a freely accessible digital platform was developed, providing valid scientific information and supporting educational activities aimed at raising awareness among the general public, particularly the younger generation, about Climate Change and the relevant mitigation methods and tools. Through this platform, citizens can attend lectures and learn about the causes and effects of Climate Change, relevant European climate policies, and technological advancements (AI, big data etc). At the same time, users also have access to “Climate Stories”, CO₂ emissions calculators, map-based visualisations of future impacts, Copernicus satellite data, and information on urban expansion in Greece. Finally, key objective of the Programme is to serve as a hub connecting schools across Greece that are interested in Climate Change, with a particular focus on schools located in remote island or mountainous regions. This Programme is linked to the pilot initiative “Chios Climate Chance” implemented by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in collaboration with the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association – HELMEPA, co-funded by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation. Starting from Chios and promoting the mindset “Understanding – Perception – Chance”, the Programme’s objective is to facilitate an understanding of Climate Change, cultivate a more conscious environmental perception and help citizens to adapt in order to battle this phenomenon.
  • 4,208 residents of Chios were reached through the activities implemented under the “Chios Climate Chance” programme, in which 75 volunteers participated.

“We learned how important it is to care for the sea and the environment, and that every action we take matters. By talking with people from the community, we felt part of something bigger. For us, the sea is life — and this programme helped us understand why it deserves our respect and protection.”

Alexandros Panagiotopoulos & Isidoros Stoupakis

Students, 1st Vocational High School of Kardamyla, Chios

• Along with the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, a set of studies was conducted to assess the impact of Climate Change on selected sectors of high importance for the Greek economy and to formulate policy proposals to address the issue. The project was carried out by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) in collaboration with the Climate Change and Sustainability Centre (CCSC) of the Bank of Greece and Accenture Greece company. The original studies carried out by IOBE demonstrate that Climate Change poses a significant challenge with substantial effects on production, consumption, investment, tourism, and employment. At the same time, In June 2025, during the presentation of the main findings, IOBE unveiled a comprehensive strategic action plan aimed at enhancing the resilience of the Greek economy, including sector-specific policy proposals, investment guidelines, funding tools, and institutional interventions.
  • As part of the study, research was conducted across 6 sectors and cross-cutting activities of the Greek economy: Primary Production, Industry, Tourism, Financial Services, Entrepreneurship, and Households.
• The programme entitled “Development and installation of an integrated system to monitor the effects of climate change on the monuments of Delos” which is implemented by the Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens, in cooperation with researchers from the National Observatory of Athens. The programme is jointly supported with the following members of the “Protovoulia ‘21”: the Marianna V. Vardinoyiannis Foundation, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, the A.G. Leventis Foundation and the Athina I. Martinou Foundation. This two-year project aims to monitor both the impacts of climate change on the environment and the monuments of Delos in real time, as well as the changes of the vulnerability and risks threatening the area over the following seven decades, through the analysis of local climatology, the identification of vulnerability and risk indicators, and the development of a management plan in order to suggest solutions and adapt to Climate Change.
  • According to a recent study conducted by the Academy of Athens, Delos ranks 14th among 244 UNESCO monuments in the Mediterranean that are most at risk from Climate Change, earthquakes, and other extreme phenomena.

“I would say that wind and humidity are interdependent, meaning that climate change leads to more intense phenomena: for example, more days with very strong winds, which are fuelled by the high sea surface temperatures. In the Mediterranean, in recent years, we have seen an increase of about two degrees. These changes, driven by the climate crisis, have already affected monuments in previous years and will continue to do so. It is particularly interesting to observe how these effects will evolve.”

Ilias Fountoulakis

Researcher, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens

“The Delos seismological station is a model facility, consisting of two sensors: a seismometer and an accelerometer, as well as a digitiser. These instruments record both microseismic activity and the impacts of strong earthquakes, measuring the island’s peak ground acceleration. The goal is to obtain records that will show how climate change affects the readings of seismological instruments.”

Dr Nikolaos Melis

Seismologist
Director of Research, Geodynamic Institute, National Observatory of Athens

• In collaboration with the Athina I. Martinou Foundation and Accenture Greece company, the educational programme “Act for the Planet”, designed and implemented by the Lambrakis Foundation. The aim of the Programme is to inform primary and secondary school students about Climate Change, its causes and consequences in various aspects of our lives, as well as what actions they can take to tackle it. Through a student-centred and experiential method, students will focus on issues related to Climate Change, approaching them from a scientific and active-citizenship perspective, using technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) and developing “citizen science” practices.

Watch videos from the implementation of the Programme here and here.

• During the pilot phase of the Programme’s implementation (school year 2023-2024), a total of 28 schools and 110 teachers of various disciplines from 16 regions across Greece participated.

“We really didn’t know that climate change existed — we learned about it in this class.”

Rea, Elissavet, Efi, Athanasia

5th grade students, 1st Primary School of Paiania

“The children welcomed it with great enthusiasm because the Programme also came with wonderful equipment that impressed them. We started our sessions, working in an experiential way, and the students are discovering things. At the same time, there is a Guide with excellent material — it is scientific yet understandable, instructive yet very flexible.”

Evangelia Vrouva

Philologist, 3rd Junior High School of Elefsina

“I took part in this Programme because the learning process is different, opinions are more freely expressed, everyone shares their views, we laugh, and it feels like an open discussion. It’s interesting, fun, and we learn new things.”

Manolis

2nd grade student, 3rd Junior High School of Aspropyrgos

In collaboration with the Athina I. Martinou Foundation and the National Bank of Greece, the “Support Programme for Volunteer Forest Firefighter Teams”, an initiative by NPF Desmos, in cooperation with WWF Hellas and HIGGS aiming to support and empower the volunteer forest firefighter teams in Greece. Within the framework of its Wildfires Response Extraordinary Programme, the Foundation supported this initiative, which aims to train, empower, and strengthen the work of volunteer forest fire protection teams in preventing and combating wildfires, as well as in protecting the natural regeneration of forest ecosystems. Running through 2026, the Programme includes a series of training workshops designed to equip volunteers with the specialised knowledge required for their role, along with a comprehensive plan to enhance the teams’ operational capacity through equipment. These volunteer groups consistently stand on the front lines of wildfires, playing a crucial role in the national forest protection system and making a vital contribution to the work of the competent state authorities.

Watch a video from the implementation of the Programme here.

• 532 volunteer forest firefighters were supported through the Programme in 2024.

“Training is the most important part for a volunteer and for a team, it’s what keeps volunteers safe and makes them more effective. The training material should be the same for everyone. We all need to speak the same language so that we can respond to incidents in the same way.”

Vasiliki Dalakoura

Volunteer, Hellenic Rescue Team of Rhodope

“What stands between me and the fire is, essentially, my equipment. When I’m operating in a wildfire, I need safe personal protective gear and reliable tools.”

Katerina Banagi

Volunteer, Hellenic Rescue Team of Argolis

“As a volunteer, I feel joy and pride being part of the team. I feel fulfilled. I’m giving back to my community, adding my own small contribution to protect the forest and my fellow citizens. What unites us as a team is our love and shared vision for what we do. We protect our land and the forest that surrounds us.”

Kostas Papadas

Secretary, Hellenic Union for Search and Rescue of Livadia

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_{*the National Bank of Greece, the Marianna V. Vardinoyiannis Foundation, the Eugenides Foundation, the B & M Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts & Music, the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the Social and Cultural Affairs Welfare Foundation – KIKPE, the Lambrakis Foundation, the A.C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the A.G. Leventis Foundation, the Athina I. Martinou Foundation, the Bodossaki Foundation, the Foundation for Education and European Culture, the Michael N. Stassinopoulos – VIOHALCO Public Benefit Foundation, the “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation – International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition and the Onassis Foundation.}