REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF PARNONAS

Transcription

1 Company s Profile Regional Development Company of Parnonas Leonidion Arcadia, P.O Τel Fax Site: info@parnonas.gr

2 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF PARNONAS ESTABLISHMENT The Regional Development Company of Parnonas (PARNONAS S.A.) was established on (Government Gazette 5854/ ) and took the form of a Company whose main purpose is the economic and cultural development of Parnonas area. AIMS The company is a local agreement of regional bodies for the strategy and the content of integrated development, through a vibrant partnership. This is achieved operationally through the establishment of a scientific mechanism which designs and implements the Company s activities and projects. The resources for the implementation of the design come from co-financed projects and programs and also from the development of the sector which provides services and conducts studies for the Company s shareholders. The aims of the company are: The scientific and technical support of local authorities and their associations and also the support of decentralized state administration. The promotion of entrepreneurial, economic and sustainable development of the Local Authorities as well as of the wider area The development of environmental protection activities The participation in programs and the implementation of relevant policies at inter-municipal level or in a wider geographic area. The main sectors of the company s activity are related to the planning, designing, implementation and maturation of Programs financed from ESI (European Structural and Investment) funds, integrated rural development, protection and management of the natural environment, and the implementation of social policy actions and the display of promotion measures.

3 INTERVENTION AREA The company operates throughout in the Region of Peloponnese and for the integrated rural development programs in East Peloponnese at 12 Municipalities and 3 Counties. The region of Εastern Peloponnese is characterized by an interesting landscape, which is characterized by a temperate climate, a significant number of rural regions of production (agriculture, fisheries), a large number of statutory protected areas, land and sea areas NATURA 2000, remarkable flora - fauna, accessible caves - canyons, rich history, great cultural heritage, extensive network of traditional settlements and culture-information centers. Picture 1: Intervention area of Regional Development Company of Parnonas and Boundaries of protected areas in Southeastern Peloponnese

4 FINANCIAL INFORMATION The Company's income is derived from: The implementation and management of National and Community Programs. The provision of technical support services for local authorities and regional bodies. Studies, development projects and service projects in local government and other public bodies. Today the Company's share capital amounts to , 40 and is divided into equities with a nominal value of 29, 35 each. The Company's turnover on average the last three years, exceeds the per year. The shareholders of the company are: The District of Peloponnese, Municipalities of the area, Champers, Associations, Agricultural Cooperatives and Regional Association of Peloponnese s Municipalities. STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY

5 STAFF/ PERSONEL The Development Company of Region Parnon S.A. has a basic staff of 38 people, 22 permanent and 16 external partners in various specializations such as engineers, environmentalists, geologistsenvironmentalists etc., in order to provide advice, transfer the knowledge and prepare specialized studies for the Technical Support of Local Authorities. 22 permanent staff 16 external partners 2 Environmentalists, 3 Civil Engineers, 1 Agriculturist, 3 Mechanical Engineers, 4 Economists, 2 Rural & Surveying Engineers, 1 Financial Advisor, 1 Chemical Engineer, 2 Civil Engineers, 2 Architects, 1 Mechanical Engineer, 1 Environmental Engineer, 1 Chemical Engineer, 3 Geologists-Environmentalists, 2 Engineers of Technological Education, 1 Technical Consultant 1 Physicist, 1 Lawyer, 1 Management Employee of Technological Education, 2 Management Employees, 2 Employees, 1 Cleaner QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ISO) Since 2003 the Company has implemented a Quality Management System (ISO) 9001:2008, which contributes to the continuous improvement of the level of the Company s provisions of services, the improvement of its internal organization, the improvement and upgrading of its human resources both in organizational matters and matters of knowledge and finally the improvement of its image both in its inside and outside environment. For the programming period , the Company meets the requirements of potential beneficiaries of the management capacity NSRF and in particular the requirements for administrative capacity through the ISO 9001 certification. ACTIVITIES The Regional Development Company of Parnonas has implemented programs with objectives focused on the unique characteristics value, on the wide range of sectors processing agricultural products, on the environment, culture and history. Through its activities, the Company contributes to local development, in cooperation with local socio-economic factors in rural areas, in tourism, in public administration on the interface level and on promotion of the environment and culture. A. Programs/ Projects implemented during the period The company during the second programming period implemented the Community Initiative LEADER II with budget of ,00. The aim of the project was the integrated rural development of the region of Parnonas, through the development of complementary and alternative economic activities associated with agriculture. Also, it aimed at the qualitative upgrading of the character of the region (cultural tradition, the natural environment and architectural heritage).

6 B. Programs/ Projects implemented during the period The Company, during the third programming period implemented projects and programs on rural development, environment, social cohesion and employment with a total budget of ,83. More specific implemented the Community Initiative LEADER+ entitled Eco-development of Southeastern Peloponnese with budget of ,00. Other programs/ projects were financed from European Social Funds (ESF) such as Home Care, Community Programmes EQUAL and Technical & Scientific support of Local Authorities. C. Fourth Programming Period The Development Company of Parnonas during the Fourth Programming Period ( ) actively participated in working meetings in the framework of the National Strategic Development Plan and also in development conferences at regional and national level. Furthermore the executives of the Company participated in consultations with local government bodies of the local economy. The company implemented projects on agricultural development such as the Local LEADER Program entitled Eastern Peloponnese: From Eco-development to Innovation, with budget of ,00, and other programs/ projects related to the promotion of employment, tourism, culture and technical support to the local authorities. C.1 Network for Employment in East Peloponnese The Development Company of Parnonas was the coordinating partner of the Development Partnership "Network for Employment in East Peloponnese". The Development Partnership implemented integrated intervention actions for the region of East Peloponnese, focused on supporting the beneficiaries on the supply and demand of a labor. The project aimed to boost the employment, combat the unemployment, to integrate the vulnerable social groups, to the local development and social cohesion. The total budget of these actions ,00 and the funding source is the European Social Fund (ESF). More Information: C.2 Local Network for Employment in East Peloponnese The Development Company of Parnonas is the coordinating partner of the Development Partnership "Social Network for Employment in East Peloponnese". The partners of this network implemented individual actions such as training programs for beneficiaries, electronic and physical networking between actors, counseling of beneficiaries and enterprises and preparation of business plans with the ultimate aim of ensuring job creation. The total budget of these programs is , 00 and the funding source is the European Social Fund (ESF). More Information: SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE - PARTNERSHIPS A. Cooperation projects The company, working with National Rural Networks and participating in transnational and interterritorial cooperation, has implemented the following projects:

7 Under Measure 421 "Inter-territorial and Transnational Cooperation", of the local LEADER Programme, the LAG Parnon has designed, submit funding folder and coordinate four cooperation projects, two of which have been completed. 1. Inter-regional cooperation "Finest Greek Tastes" (LEADER) The cooperation has been designed and coordinated by Parnonas S.A. and funded by the LEADER program. The above plan concerns the nomination of fine cuisine with recognized certified (PDO, PGI) and fine products from every region of Greece, in order to elevate the culinary tradition for the benefit of the rural economy and tourism. A long-term planning implementation tool will be the Network "Fine Greek Tastes", which will set the TABs and productive institutions of Greece. More Information: 2. Inter-regional cooperation "ISLAND PELOPONNESE" (LEADER) The project aims at highlighting the identity of the single geographical Peloponnese Region as European economic, social and cultural development. Five Development Companies of Peloponnese participated in the project. The objectives of the project are: The utilization of assets of three representative areas of Peloponnese (wine sector, olive and olive oil sector and culture sector) and their interconnection with the geographical Peloponnese The use and promotion of existing relevant infrastructure, events, alternative forms of tourism and other resources, The support of the promotional effort and the branding of Regions of Peloponnese and Western Greece. 3. Transnational Cooperation Project PARKS PROTECTION II: Management, Protection and Economic Development in Protected Areas" (LEADER) The transnational cooperation project had as its main objective the development of economic activities through educational tourism in important protected natural environment zones. The strategy to achieve the main goal of the Project primarily related to actions, was the implementation of a training week in each area, the creation of training material and implementation of educational tour. Also the program could be viewed through a website and e-brochure and the results of the Plan were disseminated and evaluated through the implementation of the Plan presentation event. Project partners were: Parnonas S.A., "Dobele District Rural Partnership" (LAG Latvia) and "Northumberland Coast and Lowlands" (LAG England). More Information:

8 4. Transnational Cooperation Project "Short Mediterranean Stories (SMS): Action of culture, gastronomy and art in the Mediterranean" (LEADER) The transnational cooperation plan, aimed at creating a common cultural action for the peoples of the Mediterranean, through the emergence of areas that have important cultural and gastronomic stock and interesting natural and social environment. The ultimate goal was the establishment of institutions and events in the participating regions and the effective networking of regions through the development of partnerships and exchanges. The main tool for the implementation of these was the establishment of the Network "Short Mediterranean Stories", which were members of the project partners, whose actions aimed at highlighting the areas involved in the project and therefore contributed to the promotion of tourism, gastronomy and culture of each region. The Project partners were: Parnonas S.A., Dimosynetairistiki Company Evros S.A., Gal Valle Del Crocchio (LAG Italy). More Information: Transnational Cooperation Project Eurovillages - Network of European villages The aim of this project is the development of an authentic, high-quality tourism in Europe, in terms of sustainability and with respect to the environment. Special emphasis is given in order to develop an integrated package which includes the accommodation and the local gastronomy combined with the use of local, pure traditional products and generally discovering the values of life in the countryside. More Information: B. Enhancement of Cultural Heritage projects The company has organized actions that enhance and promote the Cultural Heritage of the area or general. Indicatively: 1. Melitzazz festival Melitzazz festival is a colorful, multi-national gathering of cultures, in the capital of Tsakonia, Leonidio. Invited artists and chefs convey the atmosphere of their homeland, contributing to the celebration with music, dance, culture and tastes. Different events take place in the streets, at squares and in the chateaus of the picturesque traditional village of Leonidio. Numerous open stages are set up throughout the city of Leonidio, the streets are transformed into open air bars and street food reaches a new dimension, where music and dances tangle with scents and flavors of local and international gastronomy.the festival is dedicated to the famous PDO Tsakonian eggplant of Leonidio. Leonidio and Tsakonia celebrate, highlighting their rare qualities, the Tsakonian language with its foundations in the Doric dialect, the Tsakonian dance with its roots being in the myths of Apollo, the local tradition, hospitality and excellent natural environment. The theme of the festival, inspired by hosted cultures, includes dances and music from rebetiko, oriental, flamenco and Serbian brass, to gypsy swing, jazz, Balkan, Cyprus, tarantella, operetta and many more. More Information:

9 2. Festival of Peloponnese The festival of Peloponnese had as its object the organization and realization of a Festival with the aim to establish an institution that creates cultural events at local, regional, national and international level in the region of Peloponnese. It concerns the support of local culture structures as well as the preparation of a program with culture events ranging from the level of municipality to the Regional Unit of the Region, making Peloponnese a place of culture production with a national and international scope. 3. Estella Festival The Estella festival has been included as part of events in archaeological sites and museums in Greece of the Central Archaeological Council and the Ministry of Culture, Education & Religious Affairs. The festival is funded by the local LEADER program of Parnonas S.A. and takes place in Astros (North Kynouria) and its old castle named Estella. More Information: LOCAL PROGRAM CLLD / LEADER Under submission of the Local Strategic CLLD / LEADER of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, it was approved the Local Program of LAG Parnonas entitled Eastern Peloponnese. Biosphere Reserve and Business Innovation Zones, total public expenditure budget The program will include activities of private and public interest, financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Aims of the Local Program 1. The emergence of local identity with the identification, management and development of "Biosphere Reserve", to improve the quality of life and the creation of tourism destination infrastructures. 2. The promotion of local entrepreneurship with the cooperation, transfer of knowledge and strengthening of innovation and extroversion. The vision of Parnonas S.A. reflected briefly as follows: "We create biosphere reserve and business innovation zones in East Peloponnese - Facing the economic crisis by investing in knowledge and create jobs and collective social goods" Proposed Biosphere Reserve Mount Parnonas Cape Malea From 1997 until now, interventions have been carried out as an initiative of local communities for the period while in the course, the design is molded into a six-year time horizon with central aim: the period the eco-development of the South Peloponnese, the period the eco-development and innovation in the Eastern Peloponnese. Today in an attempt to promote the relationship between man and biosphere, a new program designed until 2020, with central axis the Biosphere Reserves target in the eastern Peloponnese.

10 The region of Eastern Peloponnese including valuable nature elements, culture and productive activities in the area of intervention, may be a new Biosphere Reserve in Greece. Combined with the management and conservation of the landscape of the Protected areas and the preservation of diachronic Cultural wealth (local dialect, customs, local products etc.) this coexistence of human culture and nature is ready to receive international recognition and become part of a network of similar important regions. The proposed Biosphere Reserve covers approximately ha and has about inhabitants. Proposed Biosphere Reserve For more information about our region (products, archeological sites, NATURA 2000 sites, wildlife refuges, traditional settlements, and etc), view the map here or follow the link: View 3 alternative projects that were implemented by the LAG Parnonas here or follow the link: