The «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation» and SPAY created the "Nisyros Dialogues Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail"; part of the 1st Zero Plastic Route on Mount Hymettus

The first joint initiative of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation - Sustainability of Nisyros» NPO and SPAY for the creation of Inter-Island Trail Networks was successfully completed.

In a special event held on Friday, the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation - Sustainability of Nisyros» NPO and SPAY presented the "Nisyros Dialogues Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail". This marks the first action implementing the Memorandum of Cooperation between the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation» and SPAY, co-signed on the sidelines of the «Nisyros Dialogues 2023» by the President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko - Argyroupoli, Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, and the President of the Foundation, Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, thus joining forces to create Island and Inter-Island Trail Networks.

Starting from Hymettus, the country's first "Zero Waste Mountain", the two organizations created the "Nisyros Dialogues - Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail" which is part of the 1st Zero Plastic Route in Hymettus. This Trail aims to introduce visitors to the unique characteristics of Nisyros, the volcanic island located at the edge of the Southeast Aegean.

Symbolically, the first section of the Trail in Hymettus is 300 meters long, matching the diameter of the "Stefanos" Crater in Nisyros, the location of the annual «Nisyros Dialogues» Forum. This is the beginning of the Inter-Island Trails, which will be created at the initiative of the President of SPAY, Mayor of Elliniko - Argyroupoli, Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, and the President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, thus bridging Hymettus and Nisyros through intermediate islands.

It should be noted that, with a focus on preserving and highlighting areas of unparalleled beauty and high historical value, similar actions, including the cleaning and maintenance of trails, will follow on remote islands, with the first to take place at the other end of the trail chain, on Nisyros island, during the «Nisyros Dialogues 2024». The President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko - Argyroupoli, Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, and the President of the Foundation, Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, thanked all the volunteers who participated in cleaning the Trail and emphasized the need to further raise awareness among our fellow citizens about environmental protection and the need to restore our ecosystems. They also expressed their shared desire to expand the implementation of the initiative to other parts of Greece.

The President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko – Argyroupoli, Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, stated: "The idea of Panagiotis G. Mihalos, who is the spirit and driving force behind today's event, for the Inter-Island Trail Networks from Hymettus to Nisyros, was born on Nisyros island. During the annual Forum «Nisyros Dialogues» in 2023, we jointly decided to sign a memorandum of cooperation between SPAY and the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation». Hymettus must reach Nisyros and Nisyros must reach Hymettus through a chain of trails all the way to Nisyros, which will be named 'Nisyros Dialogues Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail'. This ‘partnership’ being implemented today, through the creation of a Trail to be used by children, adults, families, and mountain enthusiasts, brings us joy and contributes to the exchange of best practices and knowledge in the hive of volunteerism and forest-consciousness. We look forward to what lies ahead as a continuation of this excellent initiative".

The President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, mentioned: "A year ago, along with Yiannis Konstantatos, who honored us as a speaker at the «Nisyros Dialogues 2023», we sealed a common vision. To highlight and protect our forests, focusing on creating trails that connect remote Greece with Hymettus. Today, we start with a small goal to reach the greater one. Together, we created the first section of the Trail that brings Nisyros to the heart of Hymettus. None of this would have happened without the broad vision and personal commitment and supervision of Yiannis Konstantatos, and the work of dozens of SPAY volunteers. In Yiannis Konstantatos, I found the model of a political leader who performs substantial service with the real beneficiary being the society. We practically support his remarkable work for the protection and development of Hymettus and simultaneously, through the creation of Inter-Island Trail Networks, we ensure the preservation and promotion of Greece's valuable natural wealth. In close cooperation with SPAY, we continue with actions to bring places, people, and cultures closer together”.

As noted by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Skylakakis, in his recorded message: "It is extremely positive to have such initiatives that show interest in the environment and at the same time provoke greater sensitivity and practical results".

The Member of the European Parliament, Professor, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, and Founding Member of the Foundation, Mr. Maniatis, stated: "The well-being of people is directly dependent on the environment in which we live. The climate crisis presents us with new challenges, such as the high temperatures we are experiencing during this period. Initiatives and collaborations - like today's - are examples of how public benefit organizations can effectively cooperate with local government. The Nisyros Dialogues - Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail that will extend from Hymettus to Nisyros, bringing them together, is proof that real solutions for green sustainability can be found and implemented. This is not just about creating walking routes, but something more substantial. We are creating a chain that connects the green lung of Attica, Hymettus, with the remote island of Nisyros, a place with rich biodiversity and rare beauty".

The General Secretary of Forests of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Mr. Stathopoulos, stated: "The commendable initiative of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation» and SPAY for the creation of Inter-Island Trails, and specifically the presentation of the first Trail in Hymettus, brings us here to the Argyroupoli Fire Lookout, where earlier I inspected the modern early fire warning system that now operates comprehensively in Hymettus, from the Police Station in Ilioupoli to Glyfada. This was funded by SPAY through the Green Fund and the relevant program agreement we signed in 2022. A very organized team of 115 staff and volunteers from the Association, along with 7 operators, manage the digital and analog cameras and the new drones that communicate in just a few seconds with the Civil Protection Center and the Fire Department on a 24-hour basis. SPAY, with all its leadership over the years, has greatly contributed to the protection of this valuable forest system. NECCA is completing its program for the trails. The management study for Hymettus has already been contracted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and by early autumn, it will be in final consultation to achieve the best possible management of the mountainous area. In these efforts, actions like these of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation»  adds even greater significance."

The event was blessed by the presence of Father Theodoros Georgiou from the Church of St. Barbara in Argyroupoli, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Metropolitan of Nea Smyrni Symeon. The event was also honored by the presence of the Member of Parliament for the Dodecanese from New Democracy Party, Mr. Manos Konsolas, the new President of SPAY and Mayor of Paiania, Mr. Isidoros Madis, the Rector of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Mr. Ioannis Chatzigeorgiou, the Founding Member and Secretary General of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», NTUA Professor and former General Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Konstantinos Mathioudakis, the Founding Member of the Foundation and the CEO of NECCA, Mr. Kostas Triantis, the members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Committee of the Foundation, the Head of Communications of DEPA Commercial S.A. Group, Ms. Nagia Strani, and the CSR Manager of DEPA Commercial S.A. Group, Ms. Katerina Giannakaki.

MEP, Professor, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, and Founding Member of the Foundation Mr. Yiannis Maniatis, President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, and President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, together with Father Theodoros Georgiou of the Holy Church of Saint Barbara in Argyroupoli, unveil the name of the first Interisland Trail connecting Mount Hymettus with Nisyros Island.

Founding Member of the Foundation, Mining Engineer, MBA, Co-founder of EQS THALIS Mr. Dimitris Voganatsis, General Secretary of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», NTUA Professor and former General Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Climate Change Mr. Konstantinos Mathioudakis, Founding Member of the Foundation and CEO of NECCA, Mr. Konstantinos Triantis, MEP, Professor, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, and Founding Member of the Foundation Mr. Yiannis Maniatis, President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, President of the«Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, Foundation Board Member Ms. Theodora Ralli, new President of SPAY and Mayor of Paiania Mr. Isidoros Madis, and Father Theodoros Georgiou of the Holy Church of Saint Barbara in Argyroupoli.

President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos, MEP, Professor, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, and Founding Member of the Foundation Mr. Yiannis Maniatis, President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos, and new President of SPAY and Mayor of Paiania Mr. Isidoros Madis participate in the creation of the "Nisyros Dialogues - Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail".

The SPAY team participating in the creation of the "Nisyros Dialogues - Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation Trail"

President of SPAY and Mayor of Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mr. Yiannis Konstantatos and President of the «Georgios M. Mihalos Foundation», Mr. Panagiotis G. Mihalos

Father Theodoros Georgiou of the Holy Church of Saint Barbara in Argyroupoli, representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate. 

MEP, Professor, former Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, and Founding Member of the Foundation Mr. Yiannis Maniatis.

General Secretary of Forests of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Mr. Efstathios Stathopoulos.

Rector of the National Technical University of Athens Mr. Ioannis Chatzigeorgiou.

Founding Member of the Foundation and CEO of NECCA, Mr. Konstantinos Triantis.