For two more years, the non-profit organization Desmos, WWF Greece, and HIGGS have been standing by the volunteers, providing forest fire protection teams with the necessary equipment so they can safely meet the demanding requirements of their work.

Among the volunteer groups that played a decisive role in fighting the major catastrophic wildfires in 2023, as well as in 2024 during the fire in northeastern Attica, were dozens of groups that were supported in the first cycle of the Volunteer Group Support Program, making use of both the equipment they were provided and the knowledge they gained from the training workshops.

Through the program implemented between 2022 and 2024 by MKC Desmos, in collaboration with WWF and HIGGS (Higher Incubator Giving Growth & Sustainability), as part of “Initiative 21” and with the support of the National Bank of Greece, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and the Athina I. Martinos Foundation, 1,936 volunteers, from Rhodes to Evros, while at the same time, 574 volunteers from across the country received specialized training.

Following the successful implementation of this first cycle of the program, organizations and donors will continue to support volunteer forest fire protection teams for another two years. The “Support for Volunteer Forest Fire Protection Teams 2024–26” program consists of a wide range of initiatives aimed at training, empowering, and strengthening their work in preventing and combating forest fires.

The wildfires of recent years have confirmed that the foot patrols of forest firefighting teams play a crucial role in extinguishing fires and containing their spread.

By maintaining an open line of communication with volunteer groups and their needs, the second cycle of the program focuses the equipment and part of the training—which is now hands-on—specifically on hiking groups.

As part of this initiative, WWF Greece followed a proven methodology, using questionnaires, personal interviews, and 25 on-site visits, in constant interaction with the groups, to understand the scope of their activities and the challenges they face, as well as to identify their needs for logistical and technical equipment.

Based on specific evaluation criteria, the top 10 teams were selected for immediate support:

In the spring of 2025, an additional 25 volunteer groups will have the opportunity to receive equipment to help them continue their valuable work.

The efforts of the program’s partners and donors were bolstered by European offices of the WWF network, as well as by new initiatives from the private sector and donors, following emergency appeals coordinated by the Desmos NGO. Thanks to the mobilization of new resources, an additional 10 volunteer groups will be supported, bringing the total number of beneficiary groups to 45.

Volunteer forest fire protection teams are among the most active members of civil society. Through the continuation of the support program, appropriate equipment, and specialized training, volunteers will be able to operate in the field with greater effectiveness and safety.

Because volunteer forest firefighters play a crucial role in protecting our forests and supporting local communities in the fight against wildfires.