The story of Apano Meria SCE

In 2015 a group of concerned citizens on the island of Syros gathered for the first time in an open assembly. The spark that caused the gathering was a request to place a mobile canteen on one of the beaches of Apano Meria (Barvarousa) that is not accessible by road. Concern over the opening of yet another illegal road within the protected area was widespread. The gathering was fueled by a shared concern about the rapid development sweeping the Cyclades – a kind of development without any vision or planning and without any sensitivity to the local environment, landscape and cultural heritage. The assembly was determined to find an alternative that would balance economic development with respect for the unique characteristics of Syros. After many meetings and the non-issuance of the canteen installation permit by decision of the Minister of the Environment, the idea of ​​a cooperative initiative with the aim of promoting soft development, especially in Apano Meria, emerged.

The idea was simple but dynamic: to promote a type of tourism that would attract visitors to the island, not exclusively for leisure and with deep respect for its natural, historical and cultural wealth. This vision was not only about preserving the past, it was also about securing the future for Syros, offering the prospect for locals and visitors alike to engage with the island in a meaningful, sustainable way.

In 2017 this vision evolved into Apano Meria Social Cooperative Enterprise, officially founded by a group of 22 people. The SCE’s mission was to protect the natural and cultural resources of the island, while creating employment opportunities for local people, especially the youth. The initial aim of the cooperative was to promote and preserve the traditional activities that have defined life in Apano Meria throughout time, including agriculture, beekeeping and viticulture.

From the beginning, SCE Apano Meria advocated an alternative to mass tourism, emphasizing ecotourism, educational tourism, and year-round activities such as hiking, geological and archaeological tours, and cultural events. In this way, the cooperative tried to highlight the northern part of Syros not only as a tourist destination but as a living landscape, where history, geology and nature intersect.

From the beginning, education has been at the heart of SCE Apano Meria’s efforts. The cooperative quickly became known for the environmental education programs it organized aimed at raising awareness of Syros’ unique geology, archeology and ecology. Seminars for farmers, a day for winegrowers, a week of events entitled “GETTING TO KNOW THE APANO MERIA” The importance of the Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Apano Meria, a week of events entitled “Looking for the geological treasure of Syros”, a day for winegrowers, were some of the ways the cooperative attracted the local community and visitors.

One of the cooperative’s first actions was to promote the idea of ​​declaring Apano Meria and its surrounding geological features as a UNESCO World Geopark. This required the cooperation of many stakeholders, from local authorities and public bodies to international academic institutions. The cooperative worked closely with geologists and other experts, including important people such as Nikos Zouros, director of the Lesvos Geopark, and Babis Fasoulas, director of the Psiloritis Geopark, to seek guidance along this path.

In 2017, the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli submitted a funding proposal entitled “ACTIONS TO USE THE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY WITH THE PURPOSE OF GEO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SYROS” with the aim of restoring some hiking trails in Apano Meria. These paths, leading to geologically significant sites, would become a focal point in the creation of a network of Geopaths, designed to allow visitors to experience the geological and natural beauty of the area. The proposal included the creation of a Geological Exhibition, which will function as both an educational center and a hub for sustainable tourism activities.

Although SCE Apano Meria was not directly involved in the proposal, it strongly supported the vision. The success of this initiative will mark a turning point for the island, proving that local resources can be mobilized to bring about real, tangible change.

The establishment of a geopark requires a huge effort from the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli and other local bodies, as well as intensive interventions in the area of ​​Apano Meria. These interventions may include restoring trails, creating visitor facilities, and developing educational programs, all of which require significant resources and coordination. The fact that the project of the Municipality “ACTIONS TO UTILIZATE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY WITH THE PURPOSE OF GEO-TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SYROS”, until October 2024, has not yet been implemented, proves the complexity of the project.

More about what Apano Meria SCE is up to today can be found here.