Northern Evia 2021

Designing and implementing initiatives with lasting social impact.

The devastating wildfires of the summer of 2021 were among the largest natural disasters in Greece’s modern history. Over the course of eleven days, more than 508,000 stremmas (approximately 50,800 hectares) of land were burned, destroying one third of Evia’s forests and profoundly affecting local communities, the natural environment and the regional economy.

Forestry, beekeeping, resin production, agriculture and livestock farming were all severely impacted, while entire communities were forced to rebuild their lives and livelihoods from the ground up.

During the wildfires, Desmos conducted remote needs mapping in collaboration with local stakeholders and rapid response teams, enabling the real-time identification and coverage of verified needs.

From the first 24 hours until the wildfires were extinguished, we responded to evolving needs, including the provision of equipment for logging operations and flood prevention measures.

Two weeks later, our team carried out its first visit to the area. This was followed by dozens of on-site visits and meetings with local stakeholders and community members, through which we identified and responded to a wide range of needs.

Desmos’ interventions by pillar of action:

Pillar 1: Social Welfare

In cooperation with organizations active in the field (ARGO, Caritas, Emfasis Non-Profit, IASIS), we covered immediate needs in:

In parallel, we responded to targeted requests:

Pillar 2: Health

We supported the Mantoudi & Istiaia Health Centers, as well as 2 Regional Clinics, with:

Pillar 3: Building a Better Future

We recorded the needs of school units and worked with other donors, ensuring the coordination of interventions and avoiding overlap, with the aim of supporting them effectively.

9 schools in the Municipalities of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna and Istiaia were supported with consumables, technology and sports equipment, educational materials as well as infrastructure works.

“Desmos for Youth – Northern Evia”

A key need identified through Desmos’ discussions with residents of Northern Evia was the creation of new employment placements. At the same time, uncertainty over whether young people would remain in the area was heightened by the limited presence of civil society organizations and low levels of trust in their role and capacity.

Thus, for the first time, the “Desmos for Youth” program was designed with a specific geographic focus, and was implemented in Northern Evia from July 2022 to April 2024.

The program was implemented with an exclusive grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of the SNF’s Northern Evia Support Initiative.

As part of the program, eight 16-month employment positions were funded across eight non-profit organisations operating in Northern Evia, strengthening both employment opportunities for young professionals and the capacity of local civil society organisations to respond to the needs of their communities.

Read more about the “Desmos for Youth – Northern Evia” program.

Pillar 4: Emergency Response & Recovery

Supporting the Volunteer Forest Firefighting and Rescue Teams that operated during the wildfires, as well as the volunteer teams based on the island that protect its valuable unburned areas, was considered both important and necessary.

Specifically, in November 2022:

The Volunteer Forest Firefighters Association of Limni received a 4×4 vehicle.

Long-term Intervention Projects

The following projects and initiatives were implemented to improve quality of life, strengthen social participation, enhance local resilience, and support the long-term regeneration of the area.

Community of Limni, Evia

Just 8 months after the devastating wildfires, Desmos completed its first major project in Northern Evia: a modern 5X5 football pitch in the community of Limni, featuring full perimeter fencing and a 17-metre mural created by Kostis Vichos, a painter and art conservator from Limni.

In May 2022, a handover celebration was held, featuring a football match, music, refreshments and the donation of sports gear. It was an opportunity to come together with the Community of Limni, the surrounding villages and the students of the local Primary School. Today, the venue is a point of reference for sports and a meeting place for people of all ages.

Community of Papades

In a remote community of 220 residents that was severely affected by the 2021 wildfires, Desmos transformed the abandoned kindergarten (closed for more than 20 years) into a Day and Creative Activity Center.

The space was renovated and fully equipped, offering daily creative, educational and recreational activities for preschool children, students and adults, strengthening the social cohesion of the community.

At the same time, the new Creative Activity Center provides an opportunity to develop new initiatives and offer creative stimuli for people of all ages:

Community of Kirinthos

A community of 550 residents (94 children), affected by the 2021 wildfires and the 2023 floods, was mobilized through the “Active Citizens of Kirinthos” group, aiming to strengthen everyday life and support young families. Desmos supported two key initiatives:

These interventions create opportunities for creative engagement across all age groups while fostering social connection and community cohesion.

Community of Kechries

As part of post-fire environmental restoration, Desmos contributed to the creation of a forest species nursery, in cooperation with the Limni Forest Service, the Agricultural University of Athens, WWF Greece and the Limni Volunteer Rescuers Association

The goal was to grow 5,000-10,000 endemic plants, with Desmos covering the salary costs for one part-time position for one year, supporting the operation of the nursery.

Watch the video about Desmos’ work in Northern Evia.