When finalizing the list of 127 projects and activities through which the program for the reconstruction of the northern Eviahis team continued”Euboea Again. The aim remains to present the final phase of the studies at the end of September. At the same time, however, all efforts are still contested by the local community, which calls for the immediate implementation of projects and expresses doubts that the planned projects will eventually become a reality. .

“We haven’t missed a single day of our schedule” – says “K” the head of the entire project, Stavros Benos.. “Studies will be completed in September, the Integrated Spatial Investments (ISI) will be approved by the end of the year, and applications for projects and actions will be announced by March. And all this without diminishing the dream: all proposed infrastructures are strategic and invested in a wave of reforms.”

The first study that Evia Xana and the Ministry of Culture are working on, to be approved by early August, concerns cultural strategic planning. The study includes projects to preserve, illuminate and promote the cultural heritage of the region, three new institutions of contemporary culture with the support of the Thessaloniki Film Festival, the National Opera and Music Hall, the support of cultural and sports organizations, and the relationship of culture and tourism with youth institutions such as “Forest festivals”. “We are asking scientists for all aspects of the redevelopment plan, activities and projects they are completing in the form of a technical bulletin so they can be quickly included in community funding programs. We don’t want exhibitions of ideas. Cultural research will be the blueprint for how we want the end result to be,” concludes Mr. Benos.

At the same time, on the same days, the list of projects and activities into which the reconstruction program will be transformed was finalized. The list includes 127 projects, most of which (37) are infrastructural. Among these, 12 projects stand out as “flagship” projects, the most important of which (at least compared to what the local community is asking for) is the construction of a new road network in the north of Evia.

It is expected that in September the studies of “Evia Xana” will be completed.

The efforts of the Evia Xana team to meet the schedule are not easy. The chosen model (a team led by an experienced self-governing Stavros Beno without institutional status, which mobilized private individuals and commissioned research to mature projects) leads to circumvention of the state’s labor-intensive commissioning procedures, but cannot reduce the actual time required to complete this level of research (e.g. , urban planning or infrastructure project). In addition, research is prepared in collaboration with the relevant ministry, but once private donors are donated to the government, they must go through an approval process defined by law before they become part of OCHE and become eligible for funding.

At the same time, societal pressure for “tangible” outcomes is increasing. During his recent visit to the region, Minister of State Giorgos Gerapetritis received a letter from the region’s six commercial associations (Agias Annas, Edipsos, Rovion, Pefkiou, Mantoudi and Limnis) and the Edipsos Hoteliers Association protesting against the announced projects. but have not been implemented (e.g. Blue Flags and beach cleanups in the area), characterize the Benou group’s approach as “theoretical” and demand that it be replaced by institutions, prioritizing the implementation of infrastructure and health projects. “As we told you directly at our meeting, the people of Northern Evia no longer believe in the reconstruction of Northern Evia in its current form,” they say.

“Reconstruction is divided into two parts: one for the compensation of the victims and the restoration of infrastructure, which was undertaken by the Deputy Minister in defiance of Prime Minister Christos Triandopoulos, and the second for the future, under the leadership of Stavros Benou.” , says the mayor of Mantoudi, Limni and Agia Anna, Giorgos Tsapurniotis. “In the first stage, we have 50%, because the amount allocated for the reconstruction of real estate is small, and people cannot build. In addition, only professional farmers and breeders received compensation, and nothing was given to the rest. As for the second part, some efforts are being made, but the world is looking at now, and not at what will be implemented in a few years.” K has also contacted the mayor of Istiaia Edipsos, Giannis Konzias, who, however, does not want to comment on the progress of the reconstruction.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Christos Triandopoulos expresses bitterness at the criticism he often receives, but acknowledges that the delays are due to the weakness of the state apparatus. “Farmers as their main occupation have already received 50% compensation, and those who are not their main occupation will follow. In the case of the latter, legislative regulation will be adopted so that they receive an advance immediately, since due to excessive workload, ELGA has not yet been able to complete the autopsy. For those who are not registered anywhere, there is no compensation, not a single official will put his signature without evidence. As for the subsidy for the renovation and renovation of buildings, Mr. Triandopoulos says that the Ministry of Infrastructure will issue a decision that will increase the tariff by 30%. “I think that criticism of us is often leveling. The state apparatus is moving faster than ever in the north of Evia.”

Symbolic program actions

The first section of the road axis will start from Psakhna, from the point where the bypass of Chalkis and Psakhna ends, which is currently being promoted by a separate project of the Ministry of Infrastructure. Its length is 35 kilometers, of which 27 kilometers will run along the new route, and the rest will run parallel to the existing one, and will end in Strofilia. The project budget is estimated at 195 million euros, and the design and construction will be entrusted to the Ministry of Infrastructure through the new NSRF.

The rest of the road axis, from Strofilia to Istiai (another 35 kilometers) and its four branches to the main population centers of the area, will be advanced in the second phase, as it is still immature in terms of design.

The reforestation in the north of Evia will be promoted by a single project that will include all activities: from the collection of appropriate seeds to the establishment of a nursery (during this period the most suitable site will be selected), targeted reforestation where necessary, monitoring of natural reforestation and its irrigation – everywhere and to the extent necessary – and, finally, monitoring the levels of CO2 retention by new vegetation.

The program is called “New Forest” and in addition to the purely “technical” part, it will include a broader view, involving resin collectors and beekeepers and “interaction” with the rest of the institutional pillars of the reconstruction program (agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, social structures coke .)”.

The urban organization of the two affected municipalities is one of the most basic elements of the redevelopment program. To this end, two special urban planning plans are being developed that will cover all municipalities, and not just burnt areas. Through city plans, land use will be redefined, building conditions will be set, and planning will be harmonized as some areas already have city plans in place. Key issues that will need to be addressed are the management of the Mantoudi industrial estate, the management of extensive illegal construction in coastal communities, the protection of streams and highly productive land. Also, the town planning plan should organize the territory according to a new model of its reconstruction.

The Citizen program concerns digital equipment and renovation of buildings that will house the three major reforms in the north of Evia, which are planned by the Ministry of Digital Management, the Central Union of Greek Municipalities, two municipalities, the region of Central Greece. and the Freeze association. The goal is to develop digital applications that will support the actions and projects of the program, as well as three reforms:
– Pilot modernization of the CEP so that citizens do not need to provide supporting documents, and this is an “internal” process.
– Centers for Territorial Planning and the Environment of Municipalities (KECHOP), which will monitor the implementation of legislation in the field of ecology and urban planning.
Intermunicipal Development Organization.

The hydrotherapy center in Edipsos, an important milestone in the history of the region, will be the focus of a program whose ultimate goal is to improve thermal tourism, as it was developed in previous decades with completely different quality criteria.

– There are four projects in the program. The most important of these is the transfer of the hydrotherapy center to a private person by TAIPED in order to modernize it. The program includes:
• Regeneration of the public space in the city center by the Municipality of Istiei – Edipsos.
• The thermal waters are managed and distributed by ETAD and the municipality of Istiei-Edipsos.
• Renovation of tourist accommodation by improving the quality of services provided.

The Health at Home program aims to implement a person-centred health policy, provide services and implement technology-assisted primary health care and public health interventions in the home, in accordance with the needs and expectations of members of each household.

In applying a people-centred approach to health services, a key position is held by a health professional who, with appropriate skills, is called upon to develop trusting relationships with service users. The implementation of a human-centered health policy is also based on the combination of health policy with social policy, on the significant participation of local governments, on the active participation of the local population, as well as on the use of new technologies and modern forms. organizing and working with transparency, accountability and continuous evaluation.