Athens, 29 October 2025 – With notable success, Protovoulia ‘21 held an event on 20 October 2025 at the Megaron - Athens Concert Hall, during which it reviewed the actions implemented over the past three years concerning the Climate Crisis and the Environment. Additionally, the next cycle of actions for the years 2026-2028 was announced, focusing on the creation of a National Centre – a Model Centre for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Among those present at the event were the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis; the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis; the Ministers of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, and Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni; the Alternate Minister of Health, Irini Agapidaki; the Deputy Ministers of Health, Dimitrios Vartzopoulos and Marios Themistokleous; the former President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos; the former Deputy Prime Minister, Evangelos Venizelos; the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Athanasios Bouras; the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis; and the Deputy Chief of the Fire Service, as representative of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. Also in attendance were His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, His Eminence Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Filadelfeia, Irakleio and Chalkidona, and His Eminence Metropolitan Grigorios of Peristeri, as well as Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament, former ministers, representatives of the Region of Attica, Μayors, university rectors, academics, and representatives of Civil Society. Presidents of the Member Foundations of Protovoulia ’21 were also present.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis, and, on behalf of Protovoulia ‘21, by the President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou; the Chairman of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, Evi Lazou-Laskaridis; and Ioannis Manos, Advisor to the National Bank of Greece and Coordinator of Protovoulia ‘21.

In his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister praised the work of Protovoulia ‘21 and noted, among other things, that “its establishment constitutes a shining example of unity and constructive collaboration”, emphasizing that “for the first time, the country’s most prominent charitable foundations have joined forces, sharing a common vision, common values, and a common purpose: to contribute to society and to the progress of our nation”. He went on to underline that “this unity is not merely symbolic. It fosters synergies, multiplies resources, and enables large-scale actions that transcend the boundaries of each individual foundation”. The Deputy Prime Minister also referred to the government’s policies addressing both the Climate Crisis and environmental issues, as well as matters of Public Health — particularly mental health — and outlined the relevant initiatives undertaken by the Government. In addition, he announced the introduction of a modern legal framework for public benefit foundations, stating that the relevant draft law will soon be put forward for public consultation by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance.

In his address, the President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou, referred, among other things, to the character of Protovoulia ’21, describing it as an effort of active citizens — an endeavour by its Member Foundations to create a kind of amphictyony. He highlighted that “each foundation maintains its full autonomy and continues to do what it has always done. However, we recognize that, for the common good, we can and wish to work together so that instead of merely adding up our efforts, we multiply them”.

In her speech at the event, the Chairman of the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, Evi Lazou-Laskaridis, stated: “In its first phase, Protovoulia ‘21 brought us together around History — and national memory. In the second, which concludes today, we turned to an issue of global significance: climate change and its multiple effects on the environment, on health, on the economy, and on our culture”. Looking ahead to future initiatives, she added: “Protovoulia ’21 does not end here; it continues to evolve, to transform, and to respond to the challenges of our time — with the same purpose: to unite forces for the common good”.

The Advisor to the National Bank of Greece and Coordinator of Protovoulia ‘21, Ioannis Manos, emphasized that “with the momentum generated by our eight-year course so far, we are now moving forward to our third thematic area”. He referred in particular to the impact of the climate crisis on public health and the conditions it directly or indirectly causes — foremost among them dementia and its various manifestations, such as Alzheimer’s disease. “The increase in life expectancy intensifies this problem and creates the need for a holistic approach that could help transform the landscape of dementia care in our country”, he noted.

Over the past year, Protovoulia ‘21 commissioned a series of specialized studies from CMT Prooptiki, which will also undertake the project management of the initiative.

The project concerns the establishment of a National Centre — a Model Centre for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. This Centre will serve both as a space for care and as a hub of innovation, research, education, and public awareness, as well as a platform for the promotion of volunteering and solidarity.

The Centre will be structured around the following pillars:

• Day Care Unit, providing services to a large number of patients, including cognitive empowerment, art therapy and music therapy, physical exercise, recreational activities, as well as home-based interventions.
• Memory Clinic, offering neuropsychological and functional assessment, prevention, and diagnosis.
• Counselling and Telemedicine Support, in collaboration with the National Telemedicine Network and the Aiginiteio Hospital.
• Training Unit, developing comprehensive programmes for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families, using the most advanced online technological and educational methods.

The Centre will operate in the western suburbs of Athens, where there is a particular need for such services, and will be housed in a building established by the Holy Metropolis of Peristeri.

Watch the highlights video of the actions of Protovoulia ‘21:

_{*Τhe 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 Michael N. Stassinopoulos - VIOHALCO Public Benefit Foundation, “Maria Tsakos” Public Benefit Foundation – International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition and the Onassis Foundation.}