In order to strengthen and support volunteer firefighter groups, the National Bank of Greece, in cooperation with Athena I. Martinou Foundation and John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, offers practical support to the initiative for the protection of our forests, which is implemented by Desmos Non Profit Foundation, WWF Hellas and HIGGS (Higher Incubator Giving Growth & Sustainability).
Our program “Support to Firefighter Groups (2022-2024)” was launched in April 2022.
As part of the program, the first round of training workshops was completed with the active participation of 53 volunteer groups from all over the country, in order to provide them with the tools and know-how needed to continue their crucial work.
After an assessment, the first 21 volunteer groups that will be supported with material equipment were selected.
The assessment was the result of extensive research by WWF Hellas, which followed reliable methodology, through questionnaires, personal interviews and 24 field visits, in order to understand the scope of their activities and the difficulties they face, in some cases, due to their geographical isolation.
The following groups were selected:
- Volunteer Disaster Response Team Salakos (Rhodes)
- Volunteer SOS Group of Kokkari (Samos)
- Forest protection association “Killinios Adonis” (Corinth)
- Volunteer groups of Schimatari -EDYS (Boeotia)
- Association of volunteer firefighters of Pythagoreio (Samos)
- Association of Greek Commandos of the Prefecture of Preveza (Preveza)
- Volunteer Environmental Protection Group of Pylaros (Kefalonia)
- Volunteer Association for the Protection of Flora and Fauna of Keri (Zakynthos)
- Cultural Association of Agala (Zakynthos)
- Volunteer action group of Chios “OMIKRON” (Chios)
- Volunteer Forest Firefighter Group for Emergencies, Eleios-Pronoi (Kefalonia)
- Hellenic Rescue Team - West Cyclades Branch (Paros)
- Association of Forest Firefighters of Corinth (Corinth)
- Nature loving and Cultural Association of Leuktro, Manis Gaia (Messinia)
- Association of volunteer firefighters of Palaiokastro (Samos)
- Volunteer Forest Protection Team of South Ymittos -EDNY (Attica)
- Fire protection and Firefighting Association of the Municipality of Ionia, Chios (Chios)
- Volunteer Civil Protection Organization of the residents of Tria Monastria of the Municipality of Rethymno (Crete)
- Association of Volunteer Forest Firefighters and Rescuers of Limni (Evoia)
- Association of Volunteer Firefighters of Agios Kyrikos (Ikaria)
- Athletic Climbing and Cultural Association “Talos” of Agios Nikolaos/ Rescue Team of Agios Nikolaos, Crete (Crete)
This great initiative continues with the support of NBG, during the second phase of the program, which has already begun. During this phase, 29 more volunteer groups will be able to receive material equipment to continue their valuable work for a more sustainable future.
We accelerate and encourage the transition to a sustainable economic model.
We actively support businesses to enter the green era. We plan to be the financial partner of first choice for participation in the Recovery Mechanism & Resilience Facility (RRF), which will contribute substantially to reducing carbon emissions. We are a pioneer in providing sustainable products in retail banking, with the largest market share in green mortgages, and a product portfolio that we are constantly enriching.
We apply state-of-the-art and environmentally responsible practices.
Our goal is to achieve a climate-neutral carbon footprint and protect biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. We source 100% of the energy we use from renewable sources, have converted our car fleet to electricity and are upgrade the energy profile of our buildings while planning more actions such as minimizing paper consumption. We are still official sponsors of the development of the overall "Master Plan" for the reconstruction of North Evia and plan to develop our activity further.
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Because we believe that for a sustainable tomorrow, we have to make an effort every day.”
