Country
Greece

Location
Islands of the Aegean: Skyros, Poros, Sifnos, Limnos, Samothraki, Naxos.

Description
The MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network is organizing a summer programme for volunteers regarding activities for the promotion of sustainable development in natural areas of Greece. This way, the volunteers will get to know the natural beauties of the Greek Islands and the environmental problems they will be confronted with, while at the same time they will have the chance to familiarize themselves with the Greek customs and traditions and come in contact with people from Greece as well as from other parts of the globe.
Greece has a land territory of approximately 132.000 km2, while the length of its coastline is estimated at about 17.250 km corresponding to one third of the total Mediterranean coastline. This is due to the existence of more than 3.053 islands (large and small), the coastlines of which add up to 8-9.000 km.
Greece possesses an extremely fragmented, rugged landscape hosting many major types of ecosystems and a high bio-diversity. Almost 5% of its extensive coastline belongs to ecologically sensitive wetlands of international importance. With over 2/3 of the total population living within 2km from the coast, most of its important urban centers are coastal and almost all of the tourist infrastructure is divided among islands and the coastal mainland.
A wide range of climate types is spread over Greece, ranging from the semi-arid, semi-desert climate in south east to the cold, humid continental climate in the north. The diversity of bio-climates is reflected in the diversity and mosaic of vegetation, and the great number of plant and animal species, terrestrial, coastal or marine. However, parts of the mainland, many Aegean islands and Crete are in danger of desertification due to human pressures and a possible climatic shift.
Greece is generally recognized to have a fairly good environmental quality. Its relatively unspoiled landscape, the good quality of its bathing waters, its high bio-diversity and a variety of biotopes are mostly appreciated. However, dramatic socio-economic changes over the last few decades have created serious pressures on the environment and have posed new challenges for the Greek society. The urban environment has deteriorated, in many instances, uncontrolled expansion of settlements exist all over the country, air pollution has become a serious issue, as well as uncontrolled waste disposal, water scarcity and desertification are in process in several dry regions and on the islands. Coastal development through the expansion of urbanization, industrialization, tourism and other land-based activities, exert increasing pressures on the coastal and the adjacent marine environment and pose a serious threat to the marine and coastal biodiversity. The greatest threat to the coastal ecosystems is the direct physical destruction and radical alteration of the coastal habitats.
Having ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, Greece is facing a major challenge to conserve its especially rich flora and fauna and the great diversity of its landscapes and ecosystems. A major exercise for the preservation of nature has been triggered by the EU NATURA 2000 initiative and is on its way to become a nation-wide basis. The proposed area to be covered is about 20% of the Greek territory although the protected areas, which are managed so far, cover hardly 2.5%. Bio-diversity protection and coastal management is tackled through sectoral conservation measures without setting an integrated management plan.

Organisation
MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network (MedSOS), was established during 1990, in Athens, Greece, as an environmental and social non-profit NGO, focused on the protection of coastal and marine environment, and cultural heritage, in the Mediterranean. MedSOS’ aim is the promotion of integrated coastal zone management in the Mediterranean region with an emphasis on the local level through the active engagement of citizens. MedSOS’ perception is that sustainable coastal communities can not be “engineered” from “the top”, but should be created from the “bottom” by involving NGOs, local residents and their authorities in a constant process of shaping a future vision of their locales and acting to realize it. In that framework, MedSOS’ methodological tools include production of information material (thematic leaflets/ posters, CDROMs, Videos, reports, etc) and environmental education packages, awareness campaigns by using all means of the information society, lobbying, youth information and exchange projects, as well as volunteer and technical projects in collaboration with local authorities.

In relation to the above, MedSOS activities up to now have focused on building a network and partnerships with local authorities and communities in coastal Greece and initiating participatory local initiatives for pilot coastal management actions. The logic thing to do is to focus on specific actions where observable results could be delivered in order to activate and engage the citizens. These have included schemes for the management and rehabilitation of beaches of the targeted locale, environmental protection-related public awareness events, volunteer and educational programmes, open forums and vision development of stakeholders for common action, etc. At international level, MedSOS hosts the Secretariat Office and coordinates the campaigns of MARE – Mediterranean Ecological-Social Youth Network, which has more that 80 NGO-members. MedSOS hosts also 2 volunteers, long-term, through the European Voluntary Service scheme, which are involved in MAREnet Secretariat operations.

Volunteer Activities

• Voluntary Summer Camp in Samothraki Island or Sifnos Island

Possible activities for groups or indiviuals:

• Working with local communities
• Registration of natural data
• Construction work (opening paths, sand dune protection, maintenance of cultivation terraces, wood work, clean-ups etc)
• Awareness activities

Guidance
Guidance is available (some independence required during work and time off)

Disclaimer/waiver
Please read the disclaimer/waiver

Accomodation
Camping - Transport from accommodation to workplace is arranged.

Qualifications
Age: Minimum age 18 years. Maximum age 35 years
Language: Good command of English
Other:
Be able to swim
Mental independence
Useful to have Natural Sciences or Environmentalist background and some practical volunteer experience

Information
MEDITERRANEAN S.O.S Network
3 Mamai st., ATHENS 10440, GREECE
Tel/Fax: 0030 210 8224481, 8228795
Email: medsos@medsos.gr
Web: www.medsos.gr / www.mare.net.gr
Contact person : Michalis Theodoropoulos