Social and environmental investments in Greece

TAP maintains an ongoing dialogue with local communities, as well as central, regional and municipal authorities in Greece to develop mutually-agreed Social and Environmental Investment (SEI) projects that support the development priorities of all three regions traversed by the pipeline: Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia-Thrace. 

The SEI programme that TAP implements in Greece amounts to a total of €32 million. 

Priority investment areas include initiatives focusing on:

• social needs: in-kind contributions addressing socio-economic issues. 
• infrastructure: support offered to regions and municipalities for the implementation of infrastructure-related initiatives, aimed at improving communal quality of life. 
• capacity building: medium and long-term initiatives in key sectors, such as agricultural production and energy.

For several of these projects TAP is collaborating with its implementation partners in Greece.  

A wide range of social and environmental projects have been implemented in Greece through TAP’s SEI programme, including:

• the DESTINATION, SAFETY project, regarding the donation of public utility vehicles. To date, TAP has delivered to the competent services of municipal and regional authorities in the areas traversed by the pipeline a total of 104 such vehicles: 32 ambulances, 17 garbage trucks, 19 4x4 trucks for forestry and civil protection activities, 15 snowploughs, 20 unique purpose vehicles.    
• the THRIVING LAND project, an initiative that combines educational and biotechnological activities, aiming to enhance cultivation, marketing and sale of locally produced agri-food products.
• the WORKS OF INSPIRATION project, regarding the construction, reconstruction or upgrade of local infrastructure, such as the reconstruction of playgrounds in the municipalities of Komotini and Prosotsani (Eastern Macedonia-Thrace), Chalkidona, Skydra and Pella (Central Macedonia), Kastoria and Eordaia (Western Macedonia); the upgrading of part of the irrigation network in the Peplos area of Alexandroupolis (Eastern Macedonia-Thrace); the renovation of Dorilaiou Street at the central square of Serres and the asphalting of rural roads in the Serres municipality. 
• TAP's educational initiatives in Greece, regarding support provided to two energy-related Master’s degree programmes offered by the University of Western Macedonia; one capacity training programme on natural gas offered by the International Hellenic University; as well as road safety seminars delivered to students.   
• TAP's social initiatives in Greece, regarding contributions and in-kind donations to municipal services, NGOs and associations supporting vulnerable groups, in cooperation with TAP’s implementing partner in Greece “Network of Social Solidarity and Assistance.”
• TAP's environmental initiatives in Greece, including the funding of Forest Management Studies for the benefit of three municipalities in Western Macedonia (5 for Nestorio, 4 for Kastoria, and 1 for Argos Orestiko); the donation of garbage bins to municipalities along the route of the pipeline; as well as donation of equipment to local environmental associations. TAP also fully funded the construction of five photovoltaic parks (PV) at the Municipality of Kastoria (Western Macedonia, Greece).
• TAP's support, via donations of equipment, to Health, Emergency and Rescue Services in Northern Greece.