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About Social Cooperative Entreprise Apano Meria

Location:

Episkopeiou 7, Ermoupolis, South Aegean 84100, GR

Mission Statement

SCE Apano Meria was created in 2015 through an open assembly of Syros citizens, which recognized the need to prevent excessive touristic development through the encouragement of mild activities, especially in the protected areas of the island (Natura 2000).It was officially founded in 2017, in order to promote, protect and preserve the northern part of the island (Apano Meria) and until today it supports the actions of the Municipality for the promotion of geotourism. From 2020 we work to support the sustainable activities of the local population, such as primary production and the development of forms of tourism that respect the land and its inhabitants (e.g. hiking, environmental, geological, archaeological, rural tourism, climbing or diving, etc.)

Description

Recently, Syros has been seeing an ever-increasing touristic development, with visitors flooding the island during the summer months. The idea that tourism is a mass product exclusively for leisure and holidays is just another commodity to be consumed is diametrically opposed to the principles advocated by the SCE Apano Meria. Therefore, seeking to act as a living counter-example of good tourist practices, we created the Juniperus project, a research and volunteering project. Its aim is to offer young scientists - quality visitors (rather than mass tourists)- the opportunity to study Syros’ distinct ecosystem, as well as its unique geology, and to contribute to generating social and environmental impact. Our volunteer projects encourage a kind of visitor who interacts with awareness, who actively and positively influences the local community and allows a dynamic exchange between the island and themselves, since by the time they leave, they will have left behind their labour for the benefit of the island that hosted them.