WHO WE ARE
The Social Cooperative Enterprise Apano Meria is a group of people who love Syros and want to contribute to its sustainable development. Through research, environmental education, volunteering, and culture, we aim to promote, preserve, and protect the natural and cultural heritage of the island, with a focus on Apano Meria.
APANO MERIA
Apano Meria, located in the northern part of Syros, is a unique area with significant ecological, geological, and historical interest. The entire Apano Meria is part of the Natura 2000 network, under protection for both its birdlife and habitats.
The area features remarkable geological characteristics, such as rare eclogites and slates. Human presence in the region for thousands of years is evident from prehistoric settlements like Halandriani and Kastri, as well as numerous agricultural monuments like dry stone walls and threshing floors. All these elements make Apano Meria a treasure worth preserving for future generations.
THE SOCIAL COOPERATIVE
The Social Cooperative Enterprise (SCE) Apano Meria was founded in 2017, motivated by the protection of the environment and sustainable development. Our cooperative consists of a diverse team of 14 members. All members collaborate towards a common goal: promoting a balance between nature, culture, and local development.
The Apano Meria SCE operates democratically and cooperatively. The supreme body, in which decisions are made for the planning and operation of the SCE, is the General Assembly, which meets regularly once a year and extra meetings are held whenever necessary. The day-to-day running of the SCE is managed by the three-member Steering Committee, which meets at least once a month.
THE TEAM
Marina Konstantopoulou
-President
-Volunteers
-Educational Programs
Io Stavridi
-General Secretary
-Environmental Policy and Law Research
Helen Charoupia
-Treasurer
-Communications
Andrianos Pappas
-Precious Plastic Lab
-Funding Programs
Petros Freris
-Field work
-Local Expert
Our main activity is the Juniperus research and volunteering program, which began implementation in 2022. We have created a space where volunteers and researchers from around the world come together to contribute to programs that benefit both the environment and the community. These programs include research on environmental policy and law, plastic recycling and reuse (Precious Plastic Syros lab), and training in traditional production practices.
We also organize environmental education activities, such as educational hikes and practical workshops, which help both locals and visitors learn more about nature, environmental protection, sustainability, and the cultural heritage of Syros.
We have created Discover, an initiative to map biodiversity, geology and cultural heritage elements of Syros. Its goal is for locals and visitors exploring Syros to have access to scientific knowledge and folk tradition, gathered in an easy-to-use platform.
Since we believe that culture and nature go hand in hand, we host cultural events aimed at creating a personal experience and a deep connection between people and nature, encouraging them to respect and appreciate the unique identity of Syros.
We are working towards a future where nature, culture, and cooperation are intertwined, leaving a positive impact on Syros.
